There are times—like right now, on election day—when I worry about the state of our country and the world. I’m concerned about all the angry rhetoric, the threats of violence, and the explosive tempers that seem to be the norm these days. It makes me wonder what kind of example we’re setting for our children, and what kind of lessons we’re teaching them.
Then I come across someone like Stanley Tucker. And I’m comforted and relieved to know that because of people like him, there’s hope for our kids, and for the future.
Stan the Man, as he’s known to many, teaches and preaches kindness. And literacy. To kids in the schools he visits—not to mention their teachers, parents, and any other adults in the vicinity—he is a rock star.
I know this because I’m in the category of “other adults in the vicinity.” Stan spent the day at a local elementary school recently—and at the middle school the next day—in a program sponsored by Georgia Writers Museum, where I do a lot of volunteer work. In a pep rally whose energy probably registered on the Richter Scale, Stan had the kids—and adults—laughing, cheering, clapping, and singing. All in the name of kindness.
He has several mantras that he repeated throughout his program. They focused on treating everyone with kindness and respect, and acting with integrity—doing the right thing even when no one’s looking. He encouraged the students to listen to their hearts in order to do the right thing, and also to give their best effort every single day.
Isn’t that advice we should all be following? In some ways, it reminded me of Robert Fulghum, whose instructions in his classic, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, included things like “Play fair.” “Don’t take things that aren’t yours.” “Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody.” And “Clean up your own mess.”
Like Fulghum, Stanley Tucker’s message is sweet and simple, yet powerful and profound. And I think it’s as relevant and necessary for adults as it is for kids. Perhaps even more so.
In fact—and perhaps it’s because my mind is on the election—politicians strike me as the people most in need of hearing what Stan has to say, and I find myself wishing he could give his students’ program to Congress. But actually, many of us could probably use a reminder and a refresher course in treating people with kindness and respect, always acting with integrity, and doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.
What a wonderful future that would provide for our children. And for us all.
November 5, 2024
©Betty Liedtke, 2024
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