Kim Olivito
Jun 5, 20203 min
Updated: Apr 3, 2021
Every business is different in terms of "speaking up" when it comes to society issues, current events and generally any topic OUTSIDE of the business's core products and services. I would imagine most tend to stay out of the public discourse, and it certainly seems "safer" to stay on the sidelines.
But for me, I'd rather run the risk of alienating a few people than NOT speaking my mind as it relates to being an active, concerned citizen, business owner, husband, father and friend. I don't claim to have "answers" and I'm not even sure what questions need to be asked, but I DO have a perspective. That perspective is usually shaped by my role as a business owner....
May 25th, 2020 America witnessed a horrifying tragedy with the senseless, cruel death of George Floyd. How can you watch the 8+ minute video and NOT be shocked, enraged and quite frankly horrified? Almost everyone I've talked to has expressed this emotion. I am right there with them. My heart breaks for his family and anybody that has experienced the brutal reality of racism.
I'll never forget waking up on Saturday and seeing "America Burning" with numerous protests across the country in disbelief at the the killing of George Floyd. Peaceful protests collided with store looting, property damage, and violence. Pain, anger, rage was all over the place. It was heartbreaking, and to be honest, by Saturday night I was absolutely exhausted.
But a couple of things stood with me from from the past 10 days that, PERSONALLY, give me hope.
Sheriff Chris Swanson from Michigan.
Thousands in London protested as well. It really is true that the world follows closely what happens in the USA.
Unrelated to the protests, my family and I enjoyed a classic real life movie last Saturday. We were inspired by the Space X/NASA return to space and I remembered a great movie, starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon and Gary Sinise: APOLLO 13.
This mission had what seemed to be one crisis after another with all astronauts facing what seemed to be massively long odds for coming back home safely.
2 massively different outcomes were possible: "Worst disaster in NASA history, or our Finest Hour?"
2020 is clearly a year nobody can predict. From the Covid 19 pandemic and resulting 100k+ lives lost, 40mm jobless claims and the resulting economic destruction, to the pain that inspired national protests.
It absolutely feels like the scene of Apollo 13. I can only hope that we'll look back on this year in the future and say: This was a pivotal moment.
Someone laying down their battle gear and asking, "What can I do?" And notice that the leader didn't care about their political party affiliation? In fact, I bet that thought never entered his mind.
Someone taking the Sheriff up on his request with the courage to yell "WALK WITH US!"
The crew of Apollo 13 charting a new mission when their dream was shattered, "lets return home safely."
A supporting team in Houston that refused to let "failure be an option."
To listen more.
To open your arms instead of clenching your fists.
To start moving forward in our businesses, communities and families WITHOUT blinders on.
To work together, with each other, as a Team. Because high functioning teams (and communities) with collective goals/missions will always beat the soloists concerned about strictly individual outcomes.
2020 won't ever be forgotten. Who knows if it will be our finest hour or not, and to be honest that's too big of a question for me to contemplate. But I do believe we can each use our voice, listen, and try to solve the problems in front of us, and we can do that with our immediate circles of people around us.
Stay Safe.