This has been a terrible summer from the violence in the Ukraine, Gaza, Israel, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, to Ferguson, Missouri and murders here in San Jose. Oh I understand each one is different and perhaps the gravity and complexity of the issues involved with each should not allow them to be lumped together. But with the onslaught of violence in our world today, perhaps no greater than any other time, the times cry out for reflection to honor quiet heroes. People whose lives touched many in an inspirational way that reflected the good, the decent, the human imperfections, and the stature of being a quiet hero for our troubled world.
Lee Sturtevant. I did not know her well. But from what I have read and heard she was an inspiration to women fighting to break and destroy the political glass ceiling. More importantly, she did the hard work necessary to create victories for so many. Talking is always easy, but in politics and in life, it is the getting up and the doing that makes the difference. Without any doubts in my mind, she did it. Like so many women of her generation, they stood up and made the community a better place.
James Brady. Reagan’s Press Secretary was shot and paralyzed in the assassination attempt of the President. With a choice of what to do with the rest of his life, he could have just been silent and gone away. Instead, he took the cards that life had dealt him and played them with a constant winning hand. His fight for rational gun policy in this country was never ending. He continuously spoke out for victims and against the madness that gun violence has created in the United States. Heroes don’t always win every fight. But his indomitable drive to fight for limiting guns is a force that is incomparable for those of us looking to have the energy needed to do the right thing. We will miss his voice.
Robin Williams. His wife asked that we remember the joy that he brought to so many with his humor, his talent, his generosity and his incredible good heart. He was a great friend to working people. He was there when AIDS and HIV were not to be spoken. He was there for the homeless community and those abandoned by society. His genius was a gift to all of us. I had the pleasure of seeing him live in comedy clubs several times. He was great at taking you out of this world, its troubles, its conflicts and letting you see that there was great joy with so many laughs when poking fun at the ordinary all around us.
Thank you Lee, and James and Robin for giving us your incredible time so that when we look at this horrible summer from standing on top of our desks, we see it all in a better way.
Steve Kline is a San Jose attorney and neighborhood activist.
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