Additional Thoughts on Humility

Additional Thoughts on Humility

"It takes a small man to believe he is too big to complete a small task." That quote captures the dangers of grandiosity fueled by an exaggerated ego.  In polished and informal ways, it is easy to lapse into an "I am Gumby damn it!" way of being in the world.  This disposition belittles other people as a person with this mindset assures himself that other people are beneath him.  In consequence, he concludes menial labor and rudimentary tasks exist for people below his level.

This type of man probably does not associate with "the help." As a store manager, he will not stand at the end of a cashier's line and put groceries in bags.  In an office setting, he refuses to type, stuff envelopes or take mail to the post office.  At home, he displaces all diaper changes onto his wife. Cleaning the toilets and scrubbing the showers are simply out of the question.  Whether at work, in his community or the privacy of his own home, he resolves his high status exempts him from the ancillary tasks of life. 

Parenthetically, my late paternal grandfather, realizing my aspirations for a professional position in an office setting, cautioned me about how I would treat "the help." After childhood summers in the South in which I pulled weeds in tobacco fields, cleaned toilets in fast food restaurants, mopped floors during the graveyard shift and mowed lawns in the sweltering heat of July, I wholeheartedly determined I would obtain a formal education and a commensurate job.  I would wear a coat and tie and walk into an air conditioned office.  Nonetheless, "Granddaddy" advised me "the help" would hear and see things that would be kept from professionals and middle managers.  They would only share this intelligence with people who treat them with respect and dignity.  In my ten years of experience in educational administration, I learned the enduring truth of his timely wisdom for a green adult.  Actually, in an equal number of years in pastoral ministry, I still witness the accuracy of his advice.  It does not cost anyone to be kind and nice to someone else.  It is amazing the insight, assistance and warnings "the help" will give graciously to someone who honors their humanity and labor of love.  Each working man enriches everyone's life.  This simple and straightforward truth reminds us there is very little difference between us.  I could be "the help." One of them could easily assume my place.  It is important to acknowledge the historical and systemic causes that determine who “the help” is and who is not. 

I contrast the political and emerging historical legacies of two recent former Presidents, George W. Bush (Bush 43) and William Jefferson Clinton.  In the former administration, former President Bush refused to meet with survivors of Hurricane Katrina until he was assured the audience would be favorable toward him and provide a potential photo opportunity to relay a positive public relations message about his administration's handling of one of the worst natural disasters in American history. The survivors who traveled to the White House after moving into a trailer home provided as temporary housing by the Federal Emergency Management Administration simply wanted to thank the President for what had been done and share some native New Orleans cuisine with him.  When asked about their intentions and objectives, they clearly stated they did not come with an agenda to criticize President Bush.  Yet, he still would not meet with them until after an aide had met with them first.  Would it have been detrimental to him to have met and ate with them?  Was grilling a few Cajun sausages beneath him? 

In contrast, consider former President Clinton who when he served as Governor of Arkansas in response to his receipt of a letter that had been dictated by an illiterate African-American community leader in one of the poorest and most rural areas of his State visited with this man in his living room. Obviously, he could have sent an aide to record his observations and then draft a memorandum with recommendations.  Instead, then Governor Clinton went himself to assess the inequities as it related to governmental services, utilities and quality of life.  This visit demonstrated an incredible level of respect for the residents of this area.  Although dwelling in humble houses and working-class neighborhoods, they were equal to their fellow citizens who lived in more affluent zip codes.  Moreover, then Governor Clinton's visit forever solidified a mutually respectful rapport between the Clinton political machine and the African-American community continuing beyond his presidency.  

The very divergent portraits of Bush and Clinton illustrate the wisdom of the opening quotation.  A genuine public servant and a true leader look at the people whom he serves and sees himself.  An effective leader is able, versatile and humble enough to accomplish any necessary task to enrich the lives of his followers.  From the use of "twenty dollar" words of formal rhetoric when using a bully pulpit to participating in an Easter egg hunt to building a Habitat for Humanity house, a man of formidable character resists the egomaniacal trap of concluding he stands above any other man.