These are uncertain times. The political, social, and economic orders that governed for generations now seem jeopardized by a lack of trust in our institutions and the sharp divide among the citizenry. Everyone is asking how our nation can move forward in such a challenging environment.
Some thought-provoking answers can be found in a book written five decades ago. While preparing for his ill-fated 1968 presidential campaign, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy issued “To Seek a Newer World.”
As we observe the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s death, his warnings apply to America’s current condition. In the book’s concluding paragraphs, RFK outlined three key dangers — of futility, expediency, and timidity.
Futility, because many believe there is nothing one man or woman can do. Kennedy said that at the heart of Western freedom is the belief that the individual, a child of God, is the touchstone of value and all groups and states exist for that person’s benefit.
There are alternatives to hopelessness. We cherish the brave souls who championed causes at great personal cost. Those willing to pay the ultimate price have changed the world. As it says in the book of James: “He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”
Futility isn’t the sole possession of voters who fail to exercise their rights at the ballot box. Too many elected officials neglect to recognize their abilities or fulfill their responsibilities. It takes tenacity and skill to push meaningful solutions through any deliberative body, and only the most dedicated public servant can summon the persistence to attack the status quo.
During his acclaimed 1966 speech in Cape Town, South Africa, RFK saluted the “numberless, diverse acts of courage” that have shaped human history. He said: “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, these ripples will build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
Kennedy warned also of the danger of expediency. Too often, lawmakers let hopes and beliefs take a back seat to immediate necessities. While flexibility has its place, basic values should not be discarded for political gain. This short-term strategy may yield temporary dividends, but its long-term consequences can be devastating. Officials must remember that they are stewards, not owners, of the federal government and the public purse.
Too many are intimidated by the latest polls or the demands of major donors. If legislators spent less time chasing the winds of political fortune and devoted more energy to serving their constituents, everyone would benefit.
Finally, RFK addressed the danger of timidity. Few national figures are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of the media, or the wrath of society. As one newspaper editor lamented several years back: “Where are the Hamiltons and Jeffersons of our time?”
In desperate situations, leaders always have emerged. Yet, doing “the right thing” isn’t always popular. Who will display profiles in courage as we navigate the 21st century?
Kennedy made many well-documented mistakes, but he eventually grew to appreciate the struggles facing millions in our nation. His words resonate across the generations. RFK’s voice should haunt the indolent and inspire the involved. He said, “The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellowman alike, timid and fearful in the face of new ideas and bold projects. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals and great enterprises of American society.”
It’s time for each of us to follow his example and send a tiny ripple of hope in our corner of the world. As Kennedy said, “Let us go forth and lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on Earth, God’s work must truly be our own.”
Kendall Wingrove is a freelance writer from Okemos, Mich.
