Cosmo Kramer became one of my favorite characters on the
television series "Seinfeld" during the episode when he
refused to wear a red ribbon while marching in an AIDS Walk in
Greenwich Village. Angry fellow marchers subsequently assaulted
him, but I've always identified with his act of defiance -
marching to the beat of a different drummer. The episode aired in
1995, when every celebrity at every award show wore the
obligatory ribbons that showed they cared. It's ironic: The
entertainment industry, which so highly touts individualism as it
so often breaks traditional taboos, is full of the most
politically correct people.
Now we've drifted into the era of the pink ribbon signifying
support for breast cancer research, a worthy cause. In fact, all
the campaigns may be worthy causes, but the idea of publicizing
one's contribution to them by wearing ribbons of red, blue, or
pink seems somewhat self-serving, unless the circumstances
require a resounding statement. After the September 11 attacks, I
wore an American flag pin in solidarity with other grieving New
Yorkers. Lately, the same pin is likely to raise a few eyebrows.
Conservatives rarely get invites to celebrity-driven
fund-raisers, but I do frequently get the opportunity to attend
events that celebrate the contributions of heroic philanthropists
who eschew the spotlight while performing acts of mercy. A few
weeks ago, I attended a dinner honoring the president of Tiffany
& Company, James Quinn. He received the Child of Peace award
for his support of the New York Archdiocese's Maternity Services
Program, which provides help for women and families facing crisis
pregnancies by offering counseling, medical care, infant and
maternity clothing, baby furniture, housing referrals, and
emergency assistance.
Of course, Mr. Quinn's contributions and his award will never
make the society or gossip pages devoted to covering the posh
fund raisers with glamorous stars, and that's fine with him and
the other unsung heroes making significant contributions to those
in need.
Dr. Karen Latimer, her husband, Lawrence Grassi, and her best
friend, Danielle Gagliotti, are New Yorkers who decided they
wanted to "give something back." In August 2003, they
founded a nonprofit organization called Give and Learn
(www.giveandlearn.com) to assist needy children in our city's
schools. The thrust of their work is providing youngsters in
kindergarten through fifth grade with school supplies, new book
bags, shoes, clothing, and other necessities. Their feeling is
that no child should start a school term in need or be made to
feel inferior because of a lack of new shoes or pencils, a
problem I can certainly relate to. Have you ever heard of these
remarkable New Yorkers? I thought not.
How about Madelene Towne, who became concerned about the current
state of children's and young adult literature? She started Green
Mansion Press to provide young readers with classics that are out
of print. In her mission statement, she writes, "I believe
that too many of today's books are grim, bleak stories written
for the purpose of exposing young readers to modern social issues
instead of simply telling a story from the heart."
Many book publishers could learn something from this wise
Manhattan mother. Here's a little lesson for those politically
correct editors who think the children in the ghettos and barrios
want to identify with characters in these modern novels. If I had
read such books while living on 110th Street, I would have been
severely depressed. Instead, I read books that took me away from
the harsh environment I lived in. Enjoying the type of stories
that Ms. Towne is offering became my escape into a safer, more
genteel world. I credit them for inspiring in me an optimism and
an admiration for the human condition that prevailed despite the
negative examples I witnessed on a daily basis.
That optimism persists because I am continually meeting
individuals that confirm my faith in humanity. This Thursday
evening at the University Club, the Manhattan Institute will be
awarding its 2005 Social Entrepreneurship Awards. MacKenzie
Chambers of MI explains, "Our honorees are those persons who
see a need not being met and then devise a way to organize to
meet that need privately (as opposed to going to the government).
They have to be entrepreneurial, creative, resourceful, and
hardworking, and they are not only unsung, they're often
struggling."
No ribbons will be distributed, and I don't expect photos of the
event to be widely circulated, but just knowing that there are
champions like these fighting for change without waiting for a
government program warms the cockles of my conservative heart.
I'm not against all ribbons. That yellow ribbon reminding us of
the valiant heroes serving in the military is a definite keeper.