Love and Forgiveness in Governance: Exemplars: Sargent Shriver
by Cat Meurn
Known as a peacebuilder and public servant, Sargent Shriver has left a lasting legacy on American politics and society. For those who may not know, Sargent Shriver founded programs such as Head Start, the Job Corps, the Peace Corps, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), and was also the president and chairman of the Special Olympics.[1] This impressive list, although only detailing his well-known achievements in life, sheds a bit of light on the type of man Sargent Shriver was and how he ended up inspiring so many that surrounded him and his work.
Shriver was not shy about voicing his commitment to peace, helping those in need, and even expressing his feelings on the topic of love. He's quoted as saying, "The most important thing I know about living is love. Nothing surpasses the benefits received by a human being who makes compassion and love the object of his or her life. For it is only by compassion and love that anyone fulfills successfully their own life's journey. Nothing equals love."[2] And according to him, "Peace will happen not through the absence of war but through the presence of love. The kind of love that will see to it that men have enough food to eat, enough clothes to wear, enough houses to live in."[3]
Driven by his faith in Catholicism, Shriver attempted to provide care, support, and justice for people regardless of their nationality, religious affiliation, ethnicity or capacity.[4] In his many public roles — such as in the Special Olympics, the War on Poverty, and the Peace Corps — he communicated the importance of taking care of your fellow man and giving back to one's local community as well as the international community. The organizations and programs he founded and led have had tremendous impact on the lives of thousands. For instance, over 200,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served overseas, and the Early Head Start (EHS) program that was launched in 1995 — together with Head Start — has served more than 29 million children from birth to age 5, as well as pregnant women.[5][6]
Outside of his public role, Shriver is also recognized by his family as having been an inspiring role model and family man. His son, Mark Shriver, recently wrote a book, A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver, in which he explores three principles that guided Shriver's life — faith, hope and love. As such, Sargent Shriver is a true exemplar of love and forgiveness in governance, by having acted out these principles in both his personal and public life.
[1] Herbert, Bob. "A Muscular Idealism." The New York Times, April 23, 2004. <http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/23/opinion/a-muscular-idealism.html>.
[2] Adrian, Lorne. The Most Important Thing I Know About... : Friendship, Family, Love, Faith, Kindness, Teaching, Success, Excellence, Leadership. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2001. <http://books.google.com/books?id=iEfTKtCiuRYC>.
[3] "In His Words." Sargent Shriver, 2011. Online. <http://www.sargentshriver.org/slideshow/in-his-words#1>.
[4] "Spirituality." Sargent Shriver, 2011. Online. <http://www.sargentshriver.org/articles/spirituality>.
[5] Price. "Peace Corps."
[6] "Head Start Program Facts Fiscal Year 2011." Office of Head Start (OHS), Administration for Children & Families (ACF), and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), 2011. <http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/mr/factsheets/2011-hs-program-factsheet.html>.
