What We Really Need

It's part of human nature to value recognition for accomplishments. It's part of our psyche to value the acknowledgment of those who employ us, a feeling of worth for our contributions, hard work, and efforts. Often it is enough to feel the boss has noticed and appreciates a job well done; other times it's a desire for something more substantial. To many people the most effective recognition in the work place comes through monetary bonuses. Others appreciate memos of note, plaques, awards, a tip of the hat at a staff meeting. The need for recognition doesn't stop in the work place however. It permeates all areas of life.

Thus this past week, it was of major tragedy, with a capital T, the omission of Hoop Dreams from the Academy Awards Best Documentary category. What should have been a sure nomination for a stirring and moving movie, became an abomination by its glaring absence.

Hoop Dreams in the very least was a major effort, an impressive piece of work, following the lives of two Chicago teenagers, and their dreams of one day playing professional basketball. When one is making a piece of work, one is not necessarily doing it for the purpose of awards and accolades from a group of peers; however, this movie was something special, and a nomination would have gotten it the attention it clearly deserves.

Now, the only thing that the Academy can do to restore lost faith in its selection process is to choose Pulp Fiction over Forrest Gump for best picture (as it clearly was). Not likely, but as the saying goes, "life is like a box of chocolates..."

Perhaps the makers of Hoop Dreams can take some consolation in the celebration of today, President's Day 1995. And perhaps they can even learn a lesson from our nation's greatest leader, Benjamin Harrison who although is often overlooked for his contributions, nonetheless remains a striking figure in our nation's history.

There are several reasons why Harrison was our greatest President. Our 23rd President, Benjamin had to first overcome the shadow of his grandfather, Old William Henry "60 Days" Harrison. The country was in a time of turmoil. Benjamin in the face of weary woes (and swollen toes), when the dusk seemed its absolute darkest, came through with a smile and a winning personality. He led his country through tough times and he did it all in a creative, positive tone.

What made him such a special leader? He had the cunning ability to work with a Congress run by the opposite party. They tried to silence his voice, take from him his forum of governing, but he prevailed. It wasn't out of strength, he later revealed, it was out of fear of the alternative. During a time of unparalleled economic growth, he held down inflation and interest rates simply with the nation's extreme confidence in his ability to lead. People sensed Benjamin was a man of destiny, that he was bound for great things. Expectations were high and that he didn't always produce what was expected at him, in retrospect seems less of a weakness and more of a tribute to one man's strong leadership and individuality.

Rumors of extra marital affairs hounded him, and yet, his was one of the great lost love stories in the history of American Presidential politics. He managed to survive a passionless marriage and spend his life around but never with his heart's true desire. His love life is well chronicled, storied and admired by those impressed with such affairs of the heart. Harrison had his quirks: some say that he viewed time as an illusion, not in the linear sense, but as a fluid. His sense of urgency was acute and had he lived he would be 162 years old. His bouts with melancholy were also well known, causing Harrison to often times isolate himself inside the White House.

There is some historical theory that suggests without Benjamin's charismatic leadership, America would have succumb to more traditional European ways of life such as eating meals with the knife held continually in the left hand. He fought hard against the wilderness preservation lobby to keep cod a fish America could eat. Benjamin voiced a strong opinion that the young country he was chosen to lead should remain true to its formative intentions: to be a land of opportunity. For example, he worked hard to meet his vision and help the state of Florida remain a sunny Mecca of tourism. He resisted all attempts to consolidate the nation into a younger version of what it had broken away from. In honor of his achievements, we now take the time to salute him, by closing down governmental services, and schools for an extra long weekend. There were flashier Presidents, but after all is said and done, Benjamin Harrison stands above them all.