Acts of Random Kindness

11/20/2020

By Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement

Senior JD Dabney reflects on how building relationships and sharing personal stories can help change the world, one small step at a time

Over the past two years, this space has featured stories of Titans following their passions and sharing their stories. I am excited to add another element to the column with this piece written by senior JD Dabney. JD felt a desire to share his own experience about the power of education in changing the world. —Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement

Acts of Random Kindness

by JD Dabney ’21

Preconceived prejudices. Lack of awareness. Fear.

These are just some of the things that for today’s society presents a challenging place in which to live. As an African American male, it seems like we always try to have our voices heard and to gain understanding and acceptance from other races. Whenever the chance presents itself for me to step up and lead, I take the opportunity to do so willingly.

Early on into the school year, I received a call from one of my most favored teachers. She wanted to check on me, making sure I felt her support with all of the protests and racial events happening. When trying to speak, I had difficulty elaborating and explaining how I felt. She couldn’t relate to the experiences I told her that I go through on a daily basis as an African American male. I have a great fondness for this teacher, but she represents just one of many who struggles to understand life for African Americans.

At this moment, I realized other races will never truly experience what we go through since they themselves will never face the hardships we must endure. This phone call gave me a chance to help inform my teacher as much as I could. It allowed me to be a leader and educate someone who, in all honesty, prior to that conversation, did not have an opportunity to obtain a deeper understanding from the African American perspective. It allowed me to elaborate on specifics, and it gave me a chance to express my feelings, hurts, concerns, and frustration shared by many who look like me. This conversation was impactful and will remain with me forever.

Since that call, I have supplied my teacher with articles and references so she can continue on her journey of educating herself and others. A ripple effect. I believe the first step in change comes with educating oneself. People will only truly come to an understanding once they have obtained unbiased knowledge and insight. Only then, will change occur.

I’m constantly praying for change in the world for my race and others who, too, succumb to societal hardships and unwarranted prejudices. Although, who truly knows what it takes to change the world? Well, as Morgan Freeman once said, ”If you want to change the world but don’t know how to begin, all it takes is one act of random kindness at a time.”He said this when he told Noah to build an Ark in the movie, “Evan Almighty.” I have had numerous conversations with people of other races sharing with them our life experiences that we go through on a daily basis. Keeping this in the forefront of my mind, when faced with adversity and challenges of any kind, I embrace a spirit and mindset that I must continue to persevere and be vigilant because failure is not an option! Following the same premise as Morgan Freeman, educating people continues as my one act of random kindness.

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About “Connections”

Connections is a regular online column, written from the first-person perspective of Laura Hamlin Weiler ’00, Head of Community Engagement:

In this space, I have the privilege of sharing stories of Trinity students, alumni, and faculty and staff who are carrying our mission beyond the boundaries of campus. Many of these stories might not make the headlines, but they will illustrate how every member of the Trinity community has a unique path to discover, and the ability to make an impact on both the Trinity community and the world beyond.

I am fortunate to have been a part of this community since my own adolescence. I have been a student, a teacher, a coach, and an administrator, and in these roles I have witnessed the school’s growth and evolution through the years. We have grown in size as well as spirit.

Stories here will capture how seeds planted at Trinity have taken root and flourished into full-grown passions. You’ll also read stories of those in our community who bring their gifts from outside to help us learn. At Trinity, we seek to develop lifelong learners, and stories here will illustrate real-life examples of that beautiful symbiosis.