AAI Foundation

2006

Dr. James Zogby's speech at the 2006 Kahlil Gibran "Spirit of Humanity" Awards

By James Zogby
Posted on Tuesday May 2, 2006

On the one hand, our generation has demonstrated the ability to inflict enormous pain and cause terrible suffering.

At the same time, we have shown, as never before in history, the capacity to reach out with compassion and extend care to those in need.

In just this generation, we have witnessed, Cambodia and Rwanda, Soweto, Belfast, Sabra and Shatila, al Anfal, Sarajevo, Darfur, and so many other names and places all seared into our minds by the pain they represent and the images they invoke.
But time and again, in the face of such suffering, the power of the human spirit has moved us to compassion and concern.

In response to natural disasters there have been outpourings of relief to aid the victims, whether they were in Southeast Asia, Pakistan or here at home.

And in the face of political injustice, we’ve mobilized mass movements to demand an end to apartheid and war or to support victims of repression or violations of human rights.

It is a fact, that this capacity to do good and evil defines our humanity and we dare not forget that the potential for both coexists within us.

If we focus only on the evil, we lose hope and the power to make change.

But if we focus only on the good we let down our guard and turn a blind eye to the suffering that is all around us.

This is why we gather to make these awards in the name of the great Arab American poet Kahlil Gibran.

It is to call on our better angels that urge us to alleviate hardship, to protect the vulnerable and the afflicted and to fight for freedom and peace with justice.

In doing so we are making a statement about that which we value and about the kind of people we want to be.

To those of you who support our efforts, we thank you.

To our awardees, we thank you for your service and for reminding us of the good we can do.

We are not perfect, but we can always do better. By your example and your service to the cause of humanity you challenge us all to be better.

For that we owe you our deepest respect and appreciation.