Help
Sign In
change
July 2009 
One person can change the world
Posted on Apr 26th, 2007
by 
Jill
Jill
I used to write an annual newsletter (prior to blogging – which is an ongoing newsletter of sorts for me). I wrote this in my 2003 Newsletter. I continue to believe every single word. The only thing that has changed is the sheer hope I feel beginning to stir! This was called “There is a purpose to everything….”
Sometimes when I have a glimpse of the “bigger picture” I am humbled and awed at the threads that weave a greater tapestry.
In 1849 in Denmark, a man was born to a huge family that totaled 17 children. At the young age of 21 he immigrated to America. It was a time of hardship. He survived many years of extreme poverty in filthy, overcrowded conditions. His life and his prospects seemed mighty dim and he grew suicidal.
Slowly he pulled himself out of the pain of his surroundings. Eventually, he became a police reporter for a prominent NYC newspaper. The fortuitous invent of flash for pictures met the capable hands of this writer/photographer.
Rather than ignore what was an extremely painful time in his life, Jacob A. Riis wrote a book called “How the other half lives”. He documented both in picture and through his poignant writing, the demoralizing and inhumane conditions of the tenements in New York City at the turn of the century.
Coming home one day he discovered a calling card with the words “Came to help.” The card belonged to Theodore Roosevelt, who had read Jacob Riis’ book and was moved to act.
Roosevelt visited the decrepit tenements with his newfound friend. He was able to see the horrific conditions for himself. You need to stop a moment and understand the enormity of the challenge Riis and Roosevelt met. The tenements were truly horrors.
The worse of them had stalls set up which would sleep six per stall (the size of a queen sized bed). There was no ventilation, indoor plumbing, insulations, heat or bedding. Bottom floors received the sewage that ran off during rain.
Picture your life held to sleeping in wet muck and sewage next to strangers. As New York Assembly man, NYC Police Commissioner, Governor for NY State and finally U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt worked to change these horrific conditions.
The willingness of Jacob Riis to rise above the adversity he had experienced and offer a voice of advocacy cheers me greatly. He had the choice to become embittered. He had the “justification” to allow the low points in his life dictate the man he would become and yet… he allowed the man he was dictate a better way of life for millions of people and their children, and the children that followed through another century.
Problems that we think are insurmountable aren’t. One simple person can change the course of the future! In case these words seem empty and overly optimistic… One man – Jacob Riss – spoke up with dignity and assurance that change needed to happen. One man – Teddy Roosevelt – heard him. The nation changed.
We live in times that beg us to change. Your voice matters. I believe there is someone to hear. All it requires of us is to sound the call and rise to the challenge.
A couple of days ago I said that we could change the world. We can! You can!
Sometimes when I have a glimpse of the “bigger picture” I am humbled and awed at the threads that weave a greater tapestry.
In 1849 in Denmark, a man was born to a huge family that totaled 17 children. At the young age of 21 he immigrated to America. It was a time of hardship. He survived many years of extreme poverty in filthy, overcrowded conditions. His life and his prospects seemed mighty dim and he grew suicidal.
Slowly he pulled himself out of the pain of his surroundings. Eventually, he became a police reporter for a prominent NYC newspaper. The fortuitous invent of flash for pictures met the capable hands of this writer/photographer.
Rather than ignore what was an extremely painful time in his life, Jacob A. Riis wrote a book called “How the other half lives”. He documented both in picture and through his poignant writing, the demoralizing and inhumane conditions of the tenements in New York City at the turn of the century.
Coming home one day he discovered a calling card with the words “Came to help.” The card belonged to Theodore Roosevelt, who had read Jacob Riis’ book and was moved to act.
Roosevelt visited the decrepit tenements with his newfound friend. He was able to see the horrific conditions for himself. You need to stop a moment and understand the enormity of the challenge Riis and Roosevelt met. The tenements were truly horrors.
The worse of them had stalls set up which would sleep six per stall (the size of a queen sized bed). There was no ventilation, indoor plumbing, insulations, heat or bedding. Bottom floors received the sewage that ran off during rain.
Picture your life held to sleeping in wet muck and sewage next to strangers. As New York Assembly man, NYC Police Commissioner, Governor for NY State and finally U.S. President, Teddy Roosevelt worked to change these horrific conditions.
The willingness of Jacob Riis to rise above the adversity he had experienced and offer a voice of advocacy cheers me greatly. He had the choice to become embittered. He had the “justification” to allow the low points in his life dictate the man he would become and yet… he allowed the man he was dictate a better way of life for millions of people and their children, and the children that followed through another century.
Problems that we think are insurmountable aren’t. One simple person can change the course of the future! In case these words seem empty and overly optimistic… One man – Jacob Riss – spoke up with dignity and assurance that change needed to happen. One man – Teddy Roosevelt – heard him. The nation changed.
We live in times that beg us to change. Your voice matters. I believe there is someone to hear. All it requires of us is to sound the call and rise to the challenge.
A couple of days ago I said that we could change the world. We can! You can!
Access: Public
