“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” a familiar precept to most, was a cornerstone of my upbringing. Throughout history, varying cultures and religions expressed similar maxims. Kindness, unselfishness, compassion, humility, courage, civility, grace, honesty, integrity and benevolence are qualities resulting from the demonstration of this tenet.
As a child, I looked to my elders to see evidence this expectation was more than words. Through the years I witnessed amazing acts of kindness and unselfish giving and gravitated to the mentors in my life who actively practiced the “golden rule.” I also learned of horrendous acts of cruelty perpetrated throughout history by those devoid of compassion or caring for the welfare of others, and those who stood by and said or did nothing.
Looking back over the past several years, at both the national and state levels, I have to wonder what kind of example we are setting for the children of today. What evidence of the golden rule do they see? Our national conversation is not driven from a heart of full of compassion. Children separated from parents and housed in cages is not the outcome of benevolence. The biblical question “who is my neighbor?” is more often answered with restriction rather than expansive love.
While I am relieved to see restored state funding for low-income elders and children in need, creating fear and chaos to “start a conversation” is cruel and does not give evidence of golden rule actions.
What will be the legacy of the leaders of today? What are we teaching our children? Is the golden rule a tenet of convenience we act upon when we have enough money in our budget?
I know we can do better, our children are watching.
— Michele Girault
Anchorage
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