Remember, as you think about this photo, that Barack Obama considers Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr. a friend, and is comfortable enough with him to call him “Skip.”It speaks well for Sgt. Jim Crowley that he’s solicitous of Professor Gates, helping him down the steps; I think it also speaks well of Dr. Gates, that he seems completely comfortable accepting Sgt. Crowley’s help. It seems clear that they’ve made their peace, and that’s good. It does not speak well of the president that he strides on ahead, oblivious.By way of comparison, here’s Barack Obama’s predecessor with Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV), who was neither a close personal friend nor a political ally:
I believe the contrast between these two pictures captures something real and significant about the contrast between these two men.
HT: Thomas Lifson, via Whitney Zahnd
Wow. The world is watching, and our character does shine through in the little things…
There is a difference between those who serve and those who feel that they should be served. Anyone can pretend to be a servant. A true servant doesn't go looking for camera ops, they simply perceive a need and then do what comes naturally without giving it much thought. It looks to me like the Sgt is just accustomed to helping people, I don't think he gave much thought to who he was halping because it probably didn't much matter to him. True service identifies a need and meets it, nothing more and nothing less.
But it also takes a certain kind of humility to accept a service (a service that shows a weakness) from someone who was once, or was perceived to be, your enemy.
Agreed all the way around–and humbling thoughts all the way around too, I think.