“There is a world-wide struggle going on. A revolution. All men are trying to achieve human dignity and a common identity. You and I are part of that struggle, for no matter whether a man be Jew, Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu, Communist or Christian, he has been born of woman like every other man alive, he is living on this small spinning planet like every other man alive; he, needs food, shelter and spiritual comfort like every other man alive; and he will die the death like every other man alive.”
Our Quote of the Week captures the physical and spiritual elements that connect us all as human beings. His words remind us that it is our responsibility to engage in this struggle for dignity and humanity, for ourselves and for each other.
This week’s speech is from Sargent Shriver’s first commencement address at the University of Notre Dame. It’s important to know that this a speech from his early days as Director of the Peace Corps. In his efforts as the lead spokesperson (and recruiter) for the Peace Corps, he emphasizes the idea that all human beings, no matter what their culture, religion, or geographic location, all struggle for dignity and humanity. After sharing the logistics of creating partnerships for the Peace Corps and describing the training that Volunteers undergo, he spells out what Volunteers can achieve and contribute by joining the “world-wide struggle” for dignity:
“Our volunteers must go with a true spirit of humility, seeking to learn as well as to teach. If they go in this spirit, America will gain most. And our greatest gain will be measured in the lives of the Volunteers. They will, as President Kennedy has said, ‘be enriched by the experience of living and working in foreign lands...they will return better able to assume the responsibilities of American citizenship and with greater understanding of our global responsibilities.’”
Sargent Shriver’s description of a struggle for our common dignity and humanity is a powerful reminder that we could really use today. In the face of systems, policies, and trends that aim to dehumanize us, may we engage with each other in ways that lift us up with dignity.
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