We talk around one another. We don't listen to one another. We see through strangers like they aren't even there. And what's worse, we don't care that we don't care. Focused on the micro-screens of our tech-media, noses down, eyes crossed, thumbs at war, we just walk all over each other. Literally.
I just watched a video on Yahoo! of Jacob Rudolph accepting an acting award at his High School. As he stood on the bake-sale funded soapbox to make his acceptance speech, his proud father recorded the moment on his media device. However, the background chatter of the audience was so incessant that I could hardly make out what the young man was saying. The auditorium carried on with its personal conversations as if nothing else was going on. As if something positive and uplifting wasn't unfolding on the stage. As if a life wasn't changing. As if their life wasn't changing.
Had I been the parent in that audience, and my child's moment was going by unnoticed by a cafeteria full of his peers, believe me someone would have heard about it. This father did nothing. The administration did nothing. Everyone, did nothing. No one interrupted Jacob to shutdown the side conversations and call attention to Jacob where it rightfully belonged. The chatter,the laughter, the misguided hoots and hollers carried on.
Jacob Rudolph carried on.
Bravely clutching the podium, what followed was an act of valor so impressive many adults struggle to find this kind of courage. He came out. In his acceptance speech, he was the one looking for acceptance.
Ok. Coming out isn't news. I won't argue with that. But, coming out in an auditorium full of Haters is kind of a big deal. Ah, that got their attention. Kind of.
At the end of the video, Jacob claimed his voice and told the world that he wasn't going to stand for having to suppress that voice anymore. He was going to live loud and proud as he is, as who he is. Take that High School. Jacob gave a humble Nixon-esque wave and stepped back from the podium.
The audience rose to a standing ovation. The same audience who moments ago could care less that one of their peers had been recognized for academic achievement, suddenly really cared that there was a Gay among them. They cared so much that they set down their media devices so they could clap.
If anyone in that room besides his dad noticed that Jacob accepted an award that day, I hope they will find some time to text him and wish him, "Congratulations."
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