'Harder
to be good than rich'
6.12.07
Fatshan Wing Chun Boxing Academy
I’d like to say a few words about Steve and also about Act Against Bullying and our involvement with Fatshan.
When I first met Steve I was struck in the following way. Firstly by his height and good looks, secondly by his vibrant personality, his energy and his enthusiasm. It was only when I got to know him better that I learnt other things—about his humanitarian work, his involvement with Fatshan, his passion for the planet—Steve is a committed environmentalist.
So when I was asked to present this award to him tonight by Grandmaster Sid Sofos I was obviously delighted. We spoke about Steve and Sid said quite simply, ‘Steve is such a good man’. And that really sums him up.
Goodness is not that easy to achieve! I believe it is easier to be rich or famous, than good. Humanitarian work is not highly paid, if paid at all. People do good deeds usually for nothing. So you don’t get rich through it. And fame! Yesterday a 19 year old shot dead eight Christmas shoppers in a Mall in Nebraska apparently because he wanted to be famous. I think that says it all.
But
goodness is vital to anti-bullying work. As a founder director of a charity,
an anti-bullying charity, Act Against Bullying I’ve been asked the same
question hundreds of times. How do you help victims of bullying? Or How can
we stop bullying?
In fact last night I had this very conversation with two men of the church
and a local mayor when I attended a Borough function. And I think my response
is very relevant to tonight.
Bullying is all about the abuse of power—and packs. We all know the scene, I hear it all the time, at schools—the bully picks you out for one of a thousand reasons, gathers a crowd, turns them against you, and then that crowd swells and it becomes a bigger crowd, a multitude. A powerful pack. To help someone—or just stick up for someone—or stick up for yourself when you are outnumbered in this way you have to be pretty strong.
You have to be unafraid to be different, to not be in that pack, to be compassionate—to be kind when people are being cruel, to think for yourself and not take on the prejudices of others, to be protective. In essence you have to be a very ‘good person’.
But how do we encourage young people people to be all those things, brave and good? Role modelling By holding up in our communities like Fatshan—in our schools, neighbourhoods, workplaces—people who we think fit that bill as examples for young people to follow, performing good deeds to others and protecting the weaker in society. This award is in recognition of just such a person. Steve Mills.