Kelly Rowland and Giving Deep

A multi-multi-billion dollar software conglomerate, on track for becoming one of the world’s first trillion dollar corporations, has announced an unprecedented strategy in their efforts to give back to the community. The company has announced a bold plan where every executive office holder will clean out their closet and give their old clothing and shoes to various charitable organizations across America. Charities are racing to be one of the first to receive their share of the hundreds if not thousands of dollars that will soon be made available. The generous CEO of this philanthropic corporation said in a news conference, “I just like the idea of giving back to the people who are trying to rebuild their lives.”

Okay I’ll fess up. No conglomerate is planning such a bold initiative, at least none that I know of. I was looking at the September edition of Ebony magazine when I ran across an article that caught my eye. Kelly Rowland wrote an article titled “Moving Forward by Giving Back” where she wrote how she enjoys the feeling she gets when she gives her old clothing to her church back in Houston, Texas. The quote from the preceding paragraph attributed to my fictitious CEO is actually from Ms. Rowland’s essay. The former Destiny’s Child member wants to be an example to young people everywhere. Says Ms. Rowland, “young people must put aside their concerns for the next best new thing on the market, new shoes, electronic devices, latest fashions, and focus on helping others.”

Ms. Rowland forgot a little detail in this charity plan. A lot of people may have a little trouble giving away their old shoes and clothing without getting the next best new thing on the market. There appears to be a disconnect between what Ms. Rowland is saying and what she is actually doing. It should be obvious that Ms. Rowland works in an industry that walks hand in hand with the latest in cutting edge fashion and glamour and the ultimate in image. Regardless of how good any singer may truly be, if they do not fit the part fashionably they are less likely to appeal to the public. That’s why situations like Millie Vanilli’s and other lip syncing arrangements are so inevitable.

And impressionable people want to emulate their idols. Many clothing store chains depend so heavily on people’s ego and their need to be seen in the absolute latest in fashion. People expend a great deal of time and energy on keeping up with their appearance and how they fit with their clique or their target clique. If we didn’t spend so much of our collective time trying to obtain the latest and greatest those charities that depend so much on old clothing, furniture, electronics, and other old knick knacks wouldn’t have as much of our unwanted things to distribute.

I know people who make it their point to give their unwanted or useless possessions to charities on a regular basis. Many are retired with very limited sources of income. Many are people just trying to make room in their house. When kids grow out of their clothing or what have you they go to a charity. I know people who donate their old cars directly or indirectly to people in need.

But is that not the very least we can do? With great capabilities there are also great responsibilities. People with the ability to truly do more should have a compassionate compulsion to do more. If the management of the multi billion dollar conglomerate feels their obligation to the community is met when the donation of their old carpeting and furniture to the charities when the lobby gets redecorated every fifteen years or so then that’s their right and their privilege. No one should expect altruism from anyone, especially not in a capitalist system where the focus on self is more likely to leads to the most financial success. But on the flip side, we are supposed to be a community of people who actually have compassion for neighbors and fellow human beings. No one should be expected to be charitable. But no one should expect their selfishness or Scrooge like behavior to go unnoticed and without comment as well.

There is a big difference in making a donation and making a sacrifice. Donating old clothing and items around the house that are no longer used is one thing. But donations that make an impact in our lives is another thing altogether. In a community of people we should make it a regular habit to make a sacrifice that is truly felt in our world on a regular basis. It shouldn’t always be painless or of the least inconvenience. Sometimes it should be an impact that is felt in our life in order for us to feel like we’ve made an impact. It is the impact and true sacrifice that continues to reverberate in our lives long after the sacrifice is done that makes the assistance that much more meaningful.

I’m sure Ms. Rowland does more than simply donate old shoes and clothing. In fact, in her Ebony article she went on to explain how she and the other former members of Destiny’s Child would make it a point to contribute to the Make-A-Wish Foundation when they were on tour and how they started their Survivor Foundation to help those affected by hurricane Katrina. Ms. Rowland also briefly mentioned her participation in the Youth AIDS organization. And I have no doubt that she actually gives out of her pocket to make more tax deductible donations. I’m sure people appreciate her benevolence in all its forms. And the painless donation of old items is a wonderful thing. But, we should endeavor to remember that the deep giving that comes from true sacrifice is truly noteworthy.