SACRED COVENANT My trip this past weekend to the last weekend of the
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival was topped only by staying an extra day to both hang out with my kid in
Chalmette (Go
AmeriCorps!) and witnessing the changing of the guard as new New Orleans
Mayor Mitch Landrieu was sworn in. Now, just like Austin, New Orleans never shies away from an excuse to party, and I've gotta say, the inauguration kicked ass. (Sorry, Austin, we have some catching up to do in this department.)
Terence Blanchard tootin' "Amazing Grace,"
Irma Thomas soul-stirring the National Anthem, and
Rebirth Brass Band holding down the recessional – mere lagniappe compared to the main course of Mr. L's stunning and inspiring speech. A few points he hit upon triggered deep response. It reminded of what disturbs me most about public service culture – government and 501(c)(3), alike. On a simplistic note, it resonates with the same "common sense" as that
Spider-Man truism: "With great power comes great responsibility." Public service is not supposed to be a networking paradise, a marketer's wet dream. Its name is pretty straightforward and concise: Public. Service. So I'd like for you to read this passage of his speech with an open heart. And yes, the following passage is meant for you. And you. And me. All of us attempting to forge community in all of our pitiful awkwardness and blistering self-interest. For real.
Take it away, Mitch:
"A great promise not yet fulfilled: to have a government in which those holding positions of power and influence are committed to serving the people, not themselves. And, which re-establishes the sacred covenant between citizens and public servants that embodies the principle of an honest day's work in exchange for an honest day's pay ... To create a city where every citizen will be judged not by how much is in their pocket but by how much is in their head and in their heart, not by what they destroy but what they create, not by who they divide but by who they unite."
Huzzah, Hizzoner, huzzah.
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