YOU can make all the difference!
In the summer of 480 BC, 300 Greek Spartans fought 300,000 invading Persians in a narrow pass at Thermopylae (therm-op-i-lee). Although outnumbered by 1000 to 1, the Spartans held off the Persians for 3 days. During this time, the rest of the Greek army withdrew to Athens, evacuated the people and regrouped. The physical city of Athens was destroyed by the Persians, but all the people escaped. The Greeks, and their ideas about how people should live, survived, and later drove out the Persians. The 300 Spartans saved western civilization from oblivion.
Historians, and moviemakers, give lots of attention to the superior training, equipment, and battle tactics used by the Spartans. All of which may be true, but obscures the more significant fact that these Spartans were “Citizen Soldiers,” not slaves. They fought so well because they had a personal stake in the outcome. They were the “owners,” of their world. They willingly gave their lives to save their families, friends, and belief system.
The Ancient Greeks did something no other peoples had ever done before. Their society and government was based on the individual instead of the leader. Each Citizen was considered to hold an important office. As opposed to the more common “top-down” philosophy, the Greeks followed a “bottom-up” orientation. Later, we called this idea “Democracy.”
Who Cares About Really Old, Really Dead, Greeks?
The Greeks had their heyday, and faded out, but fortunately their history was recorded and preserved. Democracy went dormant for a long time. About 2000 years later, guys like George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson embraced the Greek’s ideals upon the formation of the United Stated of America.
Not since the Ancient Greeks, has any society been so invested in a belief of the inherent value of the individual. Our faith in the worth, the good, the ability, and the rights of each individual is the glue that holds us together as Americans. We rightfully claim a heritage to those 300 Spartans.
As American Citizens, we are the joint owners of our country, and our community. Fortunately, most of us will never be called upon to do hand to hand combat in defense of our homes. But as heirs of the 300 Spartans, we certainly have the right, if not the obligation, to be involved in community affairs. Hands on action can be especially rewarding, and need not be overly time intensive.
Even those of us that may not be physically capable, can remain involved simply by providing encouragement for those that are. All of us should at least make our voices heard, and try to keep informed about what’s happening in our neighborhood.
Please take a moment to register with the Carrick Community network. You might get your hands dirty, meet your neighbors, or make a new friend. You will definitely make a difference.