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Thoughts on the meaning of a life

Thursday, Dec. 15, 2005

Now that Stanley Tookie Williams has been executed in California, I invite you to think about the fundamental meaning of a life.

The once-sacred human condition tends to be a notion of the past as we stay trapped in the challenges of the individualistic society of the modern world.

At the turn of the 21st century, one will like to think that all the discoveries in the fields of science and technology will result in a better quality of life for most of us, but it is not happening.

I know many people will point at the economic data and disagree with me. We probably make a little more money than we did a few years ago, but the major question remains the interaction between us, our parents and our kids.

How many families eat together? How many parents have the time to play with their kids? Tell them stories or histories about their origin? Discuss their dreams and fears?

The sense of being has been blurred by the materialistic society in which the sense of having has become the ultimate priority for a generation. In the past, people looked up to people who appealed to them for who they were, not for what they had.

We celebrate the life of people like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and others, and then turn around and go back to our virtual jail. Honoring them in the true sense will require actions from all of us to take over where they left off.

We still have a long way to go. We need a new generation of leaders who will break the cycle, and galvanize and empower the people to reclaim our key for freedom. The system will not do that for us.

A collective movement will make a difference when it is led by a viable leadership going above and beyond the call of duty and sacrificing for a greater cause.

The disconnect between elected officials and those they represent seems to grow larger as many refuse to get involved. We need to be there when decisions are being made. We celebrate the life of all those who pay the ultimate price to improve the life their fellow human beings.

As we look toward 2006, I congratulate the elected officials as well as the other candidates of the recent City of Frederick elections for their civility during the race.

The NAACP, and other members of the coalition of 12 nonprofit groups and faith-based organizations that united to give the ‘‘have-nots” in Frederick a voice, is looking forward to working with Frederick’s Mayor-elect W. Jeff Holtzinger and the Board of Aldermen.

NAACP soliciting nominations for medal

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is accepting nominations for the 91st Spingarn Medal, the highest award presented by the NAACP for achievements by an African American during the preceding year in any field or endeavor.

The purpose of the medal is to bring attention to notable merit among Americans of African descent to reward such accomplishment and stimulate ambition for today’s youth.

The distinguished group medals recipients includes Rosa Parks, Lena Horn, Oprah Winfrey, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Colin Powell, Maya Angelou, and Oliver W. Hill Sr. This award signifies someone whose life personifies the NAACP’s highest honor.

The Spingarn Medal was instituted in 1914. It is named for the late J.E. Spingarn, former chairman of the NAACP board of directors, who gave a gold medal for achievement annually until his death in 1939. This award continues to perpetuate the lifelong interests and dedication to service represented in the life of Spingarn.

Recommendations should be submitted in writing by Dec. 31, 2005, to the Spingarn Medal Award Committee, NAACP National Office, 4805 Mt. Hope Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21215. Supporting and verifying documents, such as news clippings and honors, should also be attached.