Ann Curry’s Graciousness
and Magnanimity of Character
Part Two
Curry’s response to the
unprofessional and humiliating way in which NBC news executives handled her
departure reflects the importance of personal adherence to moral and ethical
principles despite the failure of others to treat you similarly. At a time when morality and values are in
such decline in our nation, generally, and businesses, specifically, it is
refreshing and instructive to observe someone uphold the necessity of integrity
in a public arena. I imagine how
difficult this situation must have been for her as she did nothing to warrant
the outcome. Assuredly, angry thoughts
filled her mind and thirst for revenge formed in her heart. Yet, she drew upon magnanimity of character
that enabled her to show us how to personify respect, meekness and graciousness
in tough times and turbulent circumstances.
On the day of her
departure from the Today Show, a retrospective segment of her year as co-host
detailed two seminal contributions she made.
First, Curry almost singlehandedly obtained NBC’s agreement to feature
the plight and challenges of military families with severely wounded
veterans. As the war in Iraq ended and
the one in Afghanistan nears cessation, arguably the people who have made the
greatest sacrifices have been overlooked and taken for granted. Kudos to Ann Curry for ensuring these fellow
citizens did not remain invisible.
Second, through her physically bold reporting inclusive of jumping out
of planes, bungee jumping and other feats, Curry encouraged viewers to live the
lives they imagine. Personally, she
exhibited the very best examples of the biblical directive to “weep with those
who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.”
Genuinely, she cares for people when she interviews them in the midst of
life’s summits and valleys. Her joy and
tears are authentic. Many reporters
appear to lapse into impromptu acting with coerced facial expressions of glee
and sadness. Curry in stark contrast
always communicates a level of sincerity that really touches those of us in her
viewing audience.
Ann Curry graciousness
was most evident during the brief moments of her final segment as a
co-host. I really appreciated her
refusal to “sugarcoat” the dastardly deeds that eventuated in her
departure. “This is not the way in which
I expected to leave this couch.”
Moreover, I was particularly moved by her very personal and heartfelt
apology to “those of you who saw me as a standard bearer. I am so sorry that I was not able to get
across the finish line. I want you to
know that I really tried.” I suspect
Curry is the first woman or person of Asian descent to have had a co-host job
in morning television. I imagine her
promotion was an inspiration to so many young girls of any racial or ethnic
origin and particularly to young people of Eastern and Asian backgrounds. Apparently, she saw the necessity of success
and her comparable work ethic as a trust to encourage and empower them as they
formulate their dreams and pursue goals.
I admire her personal consideration of these future professionals and
their potential to exceed her achievements.
Although it was not necessary, her apology was most touching.
Finally, on the day on
which NBC announced officially that Anny Curry would replace Meredith Viera as
co-host on the Today Show, a collage of interviews and well wishes from people
with as divergent interests as former First Lady Laura Bush to Ann Curry’s
husband and children. I found the
remarks from her family particularly encouraging as they facially beamed pride
and verbally affirmed her. I pray those
words will sustain and continually encourage her as she progresses through this
current dark night of the soul enroute to the vistas of a more brilliant and
unimaginable dawn.
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