I read a lovely tribute in the New York Times yesterday to Ladis Kristof by his son, columnist Nicholas Kristof, in celebration of Father’s Day (http://tinyurl.com/249f2qq). Nicholas recalled a profound statement his father, a Slavic immigrant and concentration camp survivor, had written that impacted him for years:
War, want and concentration camps, exile from home and homeland, these have made me hate strife among men, but they have not made me lose faith in the future of mankind. … If man has been able to create the arts, the sciences and the material civilization we know in America, why should he be judged powerless to create justice, fraternity and peace?
Man is not powerless unless he deems himself so. Each one has the choice to be either victor or victim in life, regardless of the circumstances. The capacity of free will, of self-determination, is the secret weapon in man’s arsenal. Used properly, the world benefits greatly. Wounds are healed, breaches are easily repaired and hearts are swiftly inspired. Used wrongly, destruction, bitterness and sorrow are sure to follow.
He who can maintain faith in humanity, especially after suffering great adversity at the hand of fellow human beings, is a testament to the power of the human spirit. The greatest victories in human history are told in the stories of the lives of those who have overcome adversity by maintaining hearts as light as a feather. While it may not always be easy, being of good cheer while humanity throws its worst at you is entirely within your grasp.
For more from Nicholas Kristof, I encourage you to visit his blog: http://tinyurl.com/249f2qq.
Gregory Hake 
Thank you for sharing this story. I re-read it this morning – it is equally as inspiring. That kind of living is a genuine gift to humanity.
LikeLike
How wonderful to find a column that conveys the beautiful love for family as well as an undying faith in humanity.
LikeLike
His father was obviously a remarkable man. I was interested in Ladis Kristof’s full statement from which Nicholas Kristof quoted in his NYTimes column. It can be found here:
http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/19/my-dad-my-column/
“War, want and concentration camps, exile from home and homeland, these have made me hate strife among men, but they have not made me lose faith in the future of mankind. Personal experience, including my own unsteady progress through life, has taught me to beware of man’s capacity for plain stupid, irrational, as well as consciously evil, behavior, but it has also taught me that man has an even greater capacity for recovery from lapses. In a short thrust of planned, wisely guided activity, he is able to climb to higher levels of material and intellectual achievement than he ever reached before. In short, I remain a rationalist and an optimist at a time when the prophets of doom have the floor. My query is: if man has been able to create the arts, the sciences, and the material civilization we know in America, why should he be judged powerless to create justice, fraternity and peace?”
Truly inspiring – thanks for bringing attention to this.
LikeLike
How lucky any of us are to be able to say we “won the lottery of life” by having caring parents. Beautiful story!
LikeLike
Very touching story. Thanks for sharing it – I would have missed it otherwise. Overcoming adversity and maintaining a heart as light as a feather… wonderful sensory description for a noble state of heart which the elder Kristof certainly mastered and his son beautifully honored.
LikeLike
Since you’ve been on the topic of simplifying things, I loved his son’s message to all for Father’s Day: “Celebrate the bequest of fatherhood with something simpler, deeper and truer than an artificial verse on a store-bought card. Speak and hug from your heart and soul — while there is still time.”
LikeLike
What wonderful tribute to his father, who only just passed away last week at 91. Thank you so much for sharing this story – an amazing example of being of good cheer despite being dealt what most would consider an unbearable lot not to be recovered from.
LikeLike
It is stories like these that remind me that the issues I’m facing are not nearly as physically or emotionally exhausting as those that others have overcome in the past. I really have no excuse to feel burdened by what the world is throwing at me. You are right that you can maintain good cheer and overcome adversity no matter what!
LikeLike
Thanks for introducing Nicholas Kristof. His tribute to his father is moving because his father’s point of view was inspiring.
There is the possibility for humankind’s redemption. What we do individually counts for everything. As I reflect on those in my life who have truly made a difference the common denominator is they never lost faith in potential that honor and integrity are possible in our lifetime for mankind.
While most are keenly aware of mankind’s unbelievable ability for cruelty we have to look for the seeds of greatness. Our job is to water those, give them the light that our attention emits and allow them to grow.
My question to myself as a parent, neighbor, co-worker, friend, member of the human race is; Will my point of view inspire or add to the world’s deterioration?
LikeLike