45th Edition
Allegations of repeated plagiarism at the highest level of one of our most prestigious universities, which led to the resignation of its president, has shocked much of our country. What shocks me is that so many people were shocked. In a country that places so little value on integrity, why would we be surprised to find dishonesty anywhere, even at a venerable institution like Harvard University? What is even worse is we don’t seem to want to do anything about it. Instead, issues of integrity such as the one involving Claudine Gay, instantly become politicized, weaponized, and rationalized. Meanwhile, students must be asking – If the president can cheat, why shouldn’t I? And high school students, with dreams of a Harvard education, must then ask – If the president and the students can cheat, why shouldn’t I?
Dishonesty, like water from an uncontrollable flood, will eventually find the lowest level. But not before destroying everything in its path, particularly things without solid foundations. Our country has lost an essential foundation post – personal integrity. Evidence is ubiquitous. What can be done about it? Here are a few ideas…
First, as I wrote about in my December 19, 2023, Blog, “The Most-Honest-Student Award,” integrity should be taught and reinforced in elementary school. If we do this in an age-appropriate manner, starting with simple and basic concepts related to personal integrity in order to build a solid foundation of honorable behavior, more complicated moral dilemmas that we will inevitably face later in life will be easier to address. If we view personal integrity as a skill to be learned doesn’t it make sense to start as early as possible? Why would we expect even a university president to be honorable when he or she hasn’t learned the basics of personal integrity at an earlier age? That would be like expecting a golfer, who has never swung a golf club, to break par the first time out.
My point here is simply this. Unless we decide to value personal integrity, which means committing to teach it, reinforce, it, and model it, dishonorable behavior and pervasive distrust will continue to haunt every level of our society. A society without trust bears an incalculable cost to relationships and communities. The collective energy and synergistic innovation from daily fellowship and brotherhood dies a slow death without integrity. Is such a path our destiny as a nation?
Second, let’s identify and celebrate people of integrity. I’ve known and was fortunate to work with several honorable people during my career. Each was incredibly inspiring and motivated me each day to be the best I was capable of from a character perspective. When we stumble, as I certainly did at times, honorable people provide the grace and encouragement to shoulder on. They never polarize or weaponize human mistakes. Neither do they lower the bar of expectations, nor do they turn a blind eye to defects in character. Forgiveness and accountability are not mutually exclusive. It may not sell as many newspapers as running another story about cheating at elite universities, but there are honorable men and women there, too. Let’s write stories about them as well. Stories that will uplift and unite, not discourage and divide.
I am writing this edition on the eve of the national championship game between The University of Michigan and The University of Washington. The former, despite an unbeaten record, has been tainted by allegations of cheating, for which their coach served a mid-season, three-game suspension. Will this impact the outcome of the game or the TV ratings? Not likely. In multiple bowl games played before the national championship game, some of the best players from numerous teams stood on the sidelines, opting not to play to prevent injuries before the NFL draft. Essentially, they put self-interest before their teammates. Does any of this matter? If it doesn’t, what is our destiny?
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Michael Kayes
*These views are my personal opinions and are not the viewpoints of any company or organization.