Change, Lessons from Chuck Connors

Change, Lessons from Chuck Connors
Daniel McGee, MPA
July 26, 2014

 

I woke up this morning way too early. A day I could actually sleep in and at 5:50 AM I heard the sounds of a Three Stooges short-episode from the television I had left on all night. Oops! Never-the-less I turned over on the couch giggled a little and tried to drift back to sleep. It just didn’t happen. Then, at 6:00 AM old episodes of Chuck Connors and The Rifleman aired. I watched the first show and got me a cup of coffee in between the next.

I sat and watched for quite some time and it hit me. Wow, this television show embodies everything that is great about America! Or at least should be great.  I watched as this tall, commanding fella walks around and greets people with a smile. I watched as he talked rational lessons with his son, always making the most of each teachable moment. I watched as he used a high moral standard to thoughtfully dissect situations. And I watched as he proudly carried his rifle only to use it when necessary and as needed.

Of course, my mind doesn’t work like many. I sat and watched the episodes with anticipation of what Lucas McCain would do next, but all the while was thinking to myself, ‘how did our society get away from character’? President Obama ran with a slogan “Change We Can Believe In”, but my question has always been, what change? What change is it exactly that we need? Why change?

You remember the old adage don’t you? Don’t change what isn’t broke…But somehow, we look at the world through a very skewed lens. We forget how our country started and we forget the standards of character set long ago. I mean when was the last time you heard someone refer to a person as a gentleman or a lady, only because of their character? Chivalry refers to an old order or requirement for medieval knights. Dictionary.com defines chivalry as “(1) the sum of the ideal qualifications of a knight, including courtesy, generosity, valor, and dexterity in arms” and “(5) gallant warriors or gentlemen”.  Do we have such people and do we still have a society where the majority is for the majority?  Business is corrupt. Politics is corrupt. I know a lot of people who go to church and who would con you out of your shirt if they could.

I don’t believe chivalry is dead, but I do believe we have allowed ourselves to be so selfish and so invested on being liked, we’ve forgotten that our actions speak louder than words. We don't act with chivalry, common sense, or a high moral standard, so why would anyone believe our words? The President said he wanted change and we certainly got it. We are now more despised by the world than maybe at any time in history. Why is this? Because his words and actions don’t match. How many times have we heard him speak from his soapbox about Israel being an ally, yet our government has done little to support Israel and funneled millions (if not billions) to Palestine and their Hamas controlled government?

But I digress, because I don’t want to make this about President Obama. It is about us as a society. We are always looking for an angle to accomplish things and never seem to be willing to just be ladies and gentlemen about it. Never willing to be open and honest. If we cannot accomplish something society never wants to admit it. Somehow, lying about our inability to do something is better than admitting we can’t.

Maybe I’m being a little sentimental. You see change is subjective and just because the change I want is Rifleman-esque does not mean I am with the majority. However, I am going to end this little rant of a blog with some questions for my readers…

1. What would you do if everyone was upfront and honest with you?
2. How would you feel if someone held the door open for you? Allowed you to move in front of them at the grocery line because you have only few items versus their cart full?
3. When was the last time, instead of becoming defensive, you took an opportunity to have a thoughtful discussion with someone you disagree with?
4. When we teach our children do we use only one method? Do we employ various methods? Are any of those methods sitting down and explaining chivalry?

Change sure is subjective. But, I think I am right on this. I’d love to be known as a generous person with a rational way about me. I’d love to be remembered for doing the right things. It will only be through my actions that people will remember. Not any of my words. If I could have the character that Lucas McCain had in The Rifleman that would be great. I don’t mind admitting I need some change. I’d love to be that gallant warrior and gentleman. We need some change, we need to look at how we currently act and maybe put a little Rifleman in our life…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References:

chivalry. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved July 26, 2014, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/chivalry

Photo Credits:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rifleman#mediaviewer/File:Chuck_Connors_Johnny_Crawford_The_Rifleman_1960.JPG