A Passing Generation

My parents' generation and how they viewed the world has been on my mind lately. It's likely because the last sibling of either my mother or father passed away Jan. 5. My Aunt Golma, who had lived in Washington state since before WWII, was the youngest sister of my mother. She had turned 92 on Dec. 24. Mom and Dad and the eight brothers and sisters they had between them are all gone now.

Theirs is the generation born in the decades of the teens and twenties of the 20th century, during or just after WWI. Those of that age group, whether gone or still with us, lived through the Great Depression, suffered loss during WWII and perhaps Korea, and saw Vietnam through eyes the younger generation did not. During ensuing years, came baffling changes in society including those brought about by computers and a new age of technology. Through it all, they maintained an almost universal resolve to do the right thing, even if they sometimes failed.

I've been thinking about what it was like for me growing up. My parents were not non-political and they were certainly not non-religious. They believed in God and they believed the United States was a great nation. The two things were more or less naturally connected for them without the need for grandstanding in either area. Their unstated view, lived out in their everyday lives, was that following the basic teachings of Jesus by displaying kindness toward others and tending to our own business, rather than focusing on the faults of others, also made us good citizens. That's how God and country went together as I was taught by their example.

They didn't agree with everything that every elected official said or did, but it was never with disrespect that they would publicly express disagreement, if at all. Politicians didn't tell them their religion was 'right' or 'wrong' and they didn't have preachers telling them how to vote. That was not the church's job then, and it shouldn't be now. That was how church and state were naturally separated.

Think about how some in the church world talk about this country and how some members of Congress talk with complete disrespect not only to and about each other but to and about the president of the United States. It didn't start in the last six years, but it's grown to epic proportions in less than a decade. Think about how it's filtered down to how so many of us have allowed that same kind of anger, bitterness and strife to enter our own conversations related to religion and politics which sometimes filter down to other topics. To those who are 50 or older, especially, doesn't it seem unbelievable that in less than a generation we've gone from the kind of citizenship displayed by the majority of the “Greatest Generation” to what we have now?

How have we allowed this country to become ruled by people who on a daily basis invent new lows in ways to caustically disagree and who seem to take great joy in letting us know they don't intend to work together or try to reach agreement? How have we allowed ourselves to not only approve of that behavior but to celebrate the division and disgusting turmoil by taking part in it ourselves? I am encouraged by recent conversations about working together to make our local community better. As long as the talk doesn't turn to religion or politics we should be fine, because it's become seemingly impossible to have a civil conversation on those topics with someone who has an opposing viewpoint.

If we want to honor the hard work and sacrifice of the generation who lived in their prime throughout the last century, we need to return to the kind of Christianity and citizenship they displayed. If we refuse to do so, what legacy are we leaving the next generation? God help them if we won't.

Our Part in Solutions

If our respective towns are in danger of losing economic ground, what's next? The discussion on last week's "Rising Tide" post was excellent. Commenters spoke to the heart of issues many communities are facing....attitudes; differing perspectives, goals and opinions about how to (or if we should) move forward; workforce improvement; the need to work together; how can we grow and/or make progress and what do those things even look like? and more.

There are problems which can, and rightfully should, be addressed by members of entities and organizations charged with leadership and governance. I'm not letting them off the hook -- that will be a post for another time -- but what about us? Community members, business owners, employees and citizens. What part do we play?

In regard to West Plains, in a Nov. 28 editorial in The West Plains Quill Frank Martin offered "New ideas needed not new businesses" in response to the city's move to hire a consulting firm to bring in new businesses. Frank makes strong points, but I covered the city council meeting where the decision was made and whether I agree with the decision or not, I can understand why the city made the move. They hear a lot of clamoring by residents for big chain retailers. How can they keep everyone happy? They can't. They're darned if they do, darned if they don't.

Regardless of how we feel about that particular issue -- again, a post for another time -- one of the comments that was made on the Quill's Facebook thread where Frank's editorial was posted made several excellent points. A woman who is relatively new to our community had a story about needing to get a horse trailer painted. She tried three different local businesses who could not accommodate her for various reasons. She continued to ask around to see who could do it. She said, "I ended up driving it to SC Oklahoma. Unless you grow up around here you have no idea where to turn -- the telephone book only covers business with landlines. Most people and businesses are using cell phones now."

Some of the most successful businesses are ones which know about the other businesses in the community, especially ones who offer similar services, and they aren't afraid to send potential customers to their "competition." Losing a particular sale might land a business a long-term customer. That's good customer service and it's good for the local economy. Keep consumers spending their money locally to make it better for everyone.

I see this from the perspective of having covered various Chamber of Commerce "Businesses of the Week" for the past two and a half years for The Quill. The Chamber is working through its list of members to eventually recognize all of them. It's free publicity for those recognized, a chance to say almost anything they want about their business. Some don't want to participate which is confounding (in most cases). But even more perplexing are the business owners/representatives who can barely describe what they do or muster any enthusiasm in telling their stories. I wonder how some of them stay in business. Customer service skills -- which encompass more than just a smiling face and a friendly voice, but I'd like to start there with many businesses! -- need widespread improvement.

And that goes for all of us, not just leaders/business owners, but citizens. We need to consider how our actions/attitudes might be driving people away and decide rather to become advocates for our community. I'm sharing here a prime example of this principle, which my friend Joe Davis posted on a public Facebook page:

The Beginning of DRS in West Plains, MO (1958)

"Below is an article that was sent to my father, Hilliard Davis, in December of 1958. Jim Idol was with the Division of Resources and Development in Jefferson City, Missouri. A note attached the article said, 'Looks Like news gets around, Jim.' The magazine was Management Methods, Practical Solutions to Administrative Problems. The article was on page 25 of magazine. It was placed under 'Sales Builders' and titled, Recruit Everyone as Industry Booster.

"Everyone can serve as a business builder for the community. Take this as a case in point.

"Hilliard Davis is a friendly filling station operator who likes living and working in West Plains, MO. and does not mind saying so. En route for some fishing, President Edward T. McDaniels of Southwest Truck Body, Inc. stopped off at his gas station. Besides good service, he received a bit of boasting about the town. Impressed by the enthusiastic comments, the visitor ventured the thought that he might be interested in moving a factory to such a fine town.

"Business Booster Davis promptly arranged for a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce. End result: Southwest Truck Body leased a $100,000 building there, West Plains has added $500,000 annual payroll, Hilliard Davis has a bigger business and E.T. McDaniels is a lot closer to good fishing. And everyone else is reminded that he can do his share of attracting industry to a community."

Thanks to Joe for posting. These same kinds of things still happen every day. Usually, industry officials looking to locate in a community don't start by contacting city hall or the Chamber of Commerce. They start by sending representatives out to a community, in person (and these days, online) incognito to do some scouting around. 

What if E.T. McDaniels drove through West Plains today? First, I can't think of a gas station in town where the owner has regular day-to-day contact with customers. There are certainly some friendly workers at convenience stores, but is part of their training to engage customers and tell them what a wonderful community we have? Probably not. They don't have time. Most customers pay at the pump anyway. How about us? The next time we're pumping gas and someone with out-of-state plates is there, too, maybe we should strike up a conversation and tell them how great our community is. Who knows how that seed planted might grow?

The point is we all need to be proactive. Progress isn't a magical process; it takes some effort, engagement and involvement. Maybe we can take it upon ourselves to find out why other places are thriving and see if there's something we can model and use in our own communities. Not everything works everywhere, but believing in our community is a good place to start. That includes believing working together is worth the effort. I don't know a better way to say it: Let's be the change we want to see.