A message of peace
The rising sun tops the ridgeline in Woodstock, Vt. (Gareth Henderson Photo)
As the Oscars kept breaking barriers on Sunday, some special words in particular grabbed my attention — because they're not spoken often enough.
I'm talking about the speech made by Chloe Zhao, who won best director for "Nomadland". On that magical night, she became the first woman of color, the first Chinese woman, and the second woman ever to win the Oscar for directing.
She'd been reflecting recently on how she gets through the harder times, and spoke about how she and her dad used to play a favorite game. It involved memorizing ancient Chinese poems and texts, and reciting them and trying to finish each other's sentences.
Zhao remembered one called, "The Three Character Classics," and one line that stayed with her, "People at birth are inherently good."
Those six words inspired her as a child, and still do so today.
"Even though sometimes it might seem like the opposite is true, ... I've always found goodness in the people I met, everywhere I went in the world," Zhao said. Then, holding up her Oscar, she continued, "So, this is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold onto the goodness in themselves, and to hold onto the goodness in each other, no matter how difficult it is to do that. And this is for you. You inspire me to keep going."
In a world with many challenges, it’s refreshing to be reminded that we all have natural goodness in us, which is a strong foundation for progress. There were many times over the past year, when good things appeared outmatched at best, or impossible at worst. And yet, the goodness within us persevered and empowered us to lift each other up when we needed it most.
Now, the efforts on vaccinations have given hope to many, and in Vermont and elsewhere, regulations are loosening. But it’s still crucial to remember what’s at our core as people: goodness. The most important thing, is to always remember that fact whenever we interact with others, especially those we disagree with. We’re at our strongest point when we base our actions on the good we know is present, especially when it seems hard to do so. Leaning on goodness is always the best way forward.
— Gareth Henderson
