We often talk about the need for "giving back" or supporting our community, but what does giving back really mean?
Usually, the thought of mentoring, community service, or some other outward gesture of hard work or generosity comes to mind. But I don't believe that we have to quit our day jobs, start a charity, and give Jesse Jackson-esque speeches to give back to our communities.
Giving back starts with a simple thing - the desire to leave a positive impression on someone around us. I think that when we give of ourselves, it can be as simple as a word of encouragement when it's needed, a moment of consciousness to pick up a piece of trash, or the discipline to control our attitude during a stressful situation.
We tend to envision huge groups of people working on some important project when we think about "giving back". The truth is that all giving back begins with the individual. Simply, it is a decision to put others before self. And when we do it, we are not making a sacrifice, because we are enriching ourselves as well.
Is it ironic that the people who get the most publicity for "giving back" to the black community often make the least impact? We can continue to throw money at our problems, hold big-time press conferences, organize rallies and marches... but at the end of the day, all of those methods rely upon individuals doing their part to make a better society.
Posted By: Jon C.
Wednesday, August 6th 2008 at 10:30AM
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