Sargent Shriver: A Man Who Had Been Given a Great Gift
Sargent Shriver died on January 11, 2011. Lyndon Johnson once referred to Sargent Shriver as “Mr. Poverty,” because of his extensive work in creating programs like the Jobs Corps. Today, poverty levels are at an all time high. Our nation could learn a lot about the culture of poverty by studying the life of Sargent Shriver, a man who was given a great gift. The gift of understanding the real needs of children born into poverty.
“If education does not create a need for the best in life, then we are stuck in an undemocratic, rigid caste society.” These are the words of Sargent Shriver, former Democratic vice presidential candidate.
While it is true that America doesn’t have a caste system, it does possess economic layers labeled as poverty class, middle class, and wealthy class. Sargent Shriver spent a lifetime trying to thwart the devastating effects of poverty upon children born into impoverished families. He created solutions for troubled teens and problem children, particularly those born into generational poverty.
He launched social programs including the Peace Corps, Head Start in addition to the Job Corps, and led the War on Poverty for President Lyndon Baines Johnson. At a 1964 news conference announcing his appointment as director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, a reporter demanded: ”Mr. Shriver, do you really believe that poverty can be wiped out?”
Without hesitation, he replied: “Yes. I do.”
Labeled “Mr. Poverty” by President Johnson, Sargent Shriver’s ideas lifted millions of children out of poverty in the 60’s and 70’s. Kids like me.
Sargent Shriver was a man of eternal optimism who once said, “It is well to be prepared for life as it is, but it is better to be prepared to make life better than it is.”
It was that kind of can-do spirit that made Sargent Shriver so good at executing on his ideas. He created programs that helped poverty victims like me understand why and how bad behaviors are cultivated, that we are responsible for our choices, and that we have within us the power to make life better than we could ever imagine.
For those of us saved from the deprivations of poverty because of Shriver’s dedication to public service, there is another story to be told. It’s the story of what our lives would be like today, if Sargent Shriver had not been the man he was.
In the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” Clarence said to George Bailey, “You’ve been given a great gift, George: A chance to see what the world would be like without you.”
Sargent Shriver probably never imagined what the world would be like without him.
But the story of those whose life he changed will live on forever. Like them, my children, my grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as all future generations, will have a better life because Sargent Shriver lived.
