Interfaith-Interracial-Class-Gender “At-One-Ness”

Interfaith-Interracial-Class-Gender “At-One-Ness”

Is Benchmark of Year of Altruism's Success

How do you ever really know when “good” is “good”? Was the movie “good”? The pizza? The sermon? We hopefully grow up to realize that – beyond genocide and the Lord's Prayer – the criteria for “good” are largely subjective. I can't get dogmatic about pineapple on pizza if you don't like it. I can't credibly tell you that a preacher is good, if I can't really put my finger on what I like about him.

Here in Greenville, we are readying for a “Year of Altruism.” August 19 marks its first event, and it will continue through May of next year. The objective of our programs is our desire to foster idealism, compassion, altruism. Events will range from community service projects, to interfaith worship, to family programs, to learning opportunities, to theater, to an evening with Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel, to a concert by our Symphony that celebrates altruism.

But, how will we really measure whether YOA has been “good”?

We would certainly declare success if Greenville embraced a pervasive sense of uplift and higher purpose, walking away with new resolve and head held high. No question about that, even if we couldn't measure it.

But, there is also nothing wrong with setting specific benchmarks by which we can measure the success of YOA. Financial solvency may be one. I can already tell you that by that criterion, we will have failed. Our financing is built on faith as much as on contributions. A full house for Professor Wiesel, symphony, and interfaith service, would certainly be a legitimate measure of success. The altruistic projects we leave behind definitely meet the criteria.

Now, let me tell you my own:

I will know that we have succeeded when YOA becomes the catalyst to unite this richly diverse community in “harmony and understanding, sympathy and trust abounding.” (Sorry, I am still stuck on the lyrics of “Hair.”).

Celebrating diversity has become a basic criterion for YOA's success. But, another measure outweighs it: Unity. Bridge-building. At-one-ness. Mutual appreciation. Commitment to the values that unite us. YOA will bring plenty of opportunities to ponder, discuss, exhort, about the ideals of unity, and how to prevent them from breaking down. But, more importantly, YOA will provide opportunities to unpretentiously be at one with each other, at the same places, at the same times – talking, enjoying, appreciating, learning, celebrating, even grieving. It will happen only if we will put away preconceptions and contrived boundaries, and delight in the essential universality of the human spirit.

When Congressman Jim Clyburn delivers his keynote on August 19, should we regard it as an “African American” event? Isn't Jim Clyburn a ranking member of the House, where he speaks for all of us and to all of us?

What about our commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of Dr. King's “Dream” speech on August 28? Do we dare call that an “African American” program, particularly in light of events of the past weeks?

Is a symphony that celebrates altruism a “white” event?

Who comes to a family concert? Only middle class kids, or disadvantaged and homeless ones, too?

When we observe the Holocaust memorial in March, is that a “Jewish” event?

Is the Warehouse production of “Angels in America” reserved for the GLBT community?

When we observe the National Day of Prayer, will it be a service for liberal Christians, Jews, and other “religious exotics”? Or will brother and sister Evangelicals raise their voices with ours?

YOA is paying heavily to market programs that attract the broadest base of our community. I already hear myself repeating, “This is an interfaith-interracial event,” regardless of the group with which I am speaking.

But, good PR can do only so much. Building bridges of at-one-ness must come from a soulful resolve that is at the essence of YOA: Put down pretensions and nudge yourself outside the box, because that's where all the best stuff is. A white kid must also celebrate Dr. King's Dream. Straight folks must gain empathy for issues of being gay as they watch “Angels in America.” Ultimately, it must come from within.

So, will YOA be “good”? May it be its lasting legacy. But, there is a special yardstick that will measure its success. It is the extent to which we achieve at-one-ness, not by analysis, but by simply, universally, being people with people.  You, all of you, are cordially invited . . .