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The Wright Perspective℠
Social Commentary from the C-Suite to Main Street℠
A Blog by Gary Wright II
Cherokee Language and Grace
Monday, January 16th, 2012
You never know when a stranger may affect your life in a profound way. I've never met Belinda in person, but she is a Cherokee who taught me an important lesson on grace. When someone hates you, and you hate them back - all you do is double the hatred. If you love someone who hates you, they cancel each other out. I've lost touch with Belinda, but I'm so appreciative of the lessons she taught me. I have a card from her that I keep on my desk as a daily reminder. If any of you know her, please send her my love!
It really hurt my feelings when I discovered some of the leaders of my former tribe were racists and homophobes. It hurt me even more to realize that the tribe itself is beyond saving. There was a lot that went on in the early 90's and the tribe has never recovered. Today I decided to close that chapter of my life and move on. Hating them for their actions, however dispicable they may be, only doubles the negativity. Regardless of their future, I have to find a way to love them anyway.
Our recent discussions about the Cherokee language reminded me of another elder who had a big impact on my life. The guidance counselor at Huntsville High was Mr. (Maurice?) Wagner. His daughter worked in television with my father, so I couldn't get away with a damn thing. I'll never forget the day I got called to his office and he told me I needed to learn a foreign language. I'll never forget his face when I responded, "What the hell are you talking about? I'm still trying hard just to master the English language!" I eventually took a year of Latin. To this day, I haven't mastered either one of them yet.
I guess my point of all this is to say be nice to each other. You never know when your words or actions might change the life of someone you don't even know. That is true grace!
Best regards,
-- Gary Wright II