Freedom and Responsibility

Juneteenth. The meaning of this day is profound: the end of slavery in the United States. It was declared in 1863 but it was on June 19, 1865, that Union General Gordon Granger led thousands of federal troops to Galveston, Texas to announce that the Civil War had ended and slaves had been freed. Clearly, today, this country struggles to fully embrace the inclusive freedoms that were documented with this historic proclamation. The delays, the frustrations, the uneven adoption of equal rights. I, like many of you and others in our communities, am compelled to act; to commit to the promise and potential laid out over 150 years ago and accelerate progress.

We are engaging in conversations across Verizon, challenging our assumptions and comfort zones, and creating a path forward for significant, sustainable change. We hope you will participate in these opportunities, inside and outside Verizon, including the 2020 Census. This is a chance for you to directly affect your future -- federal funding flowing into states and communities; new or continued development of health clinics, fire departments, schools, even roads and highways. In short, you have a voice. Let it be heard and lend your voice to those in the community who must be heard. Help shape the complex world in which we live and support those alongside you.

Which brings me to Sunday. Father’s Day. Fatherhood is synonymous with many things: responsibility, leadership, compassion, discipline, and care. It also serves as a verb: To Father. To create, originate, be the author of. It implies ownership and accountability. And this year, more than most, I’m drawn to consider my role and the role of fathers everywhere. 

My dad -- a jovial 91 year old living in Dublin -- learned how to video chat so he could be present with me and my family during the pandemic. We’ve remained connected and communicated about work, family, and the complicated challenges facing the world right now. He has always been a bellwether for me; someone to help guide and inform my decision-making; keep me on course when I threaten to teeter, and even let me stumble to take away a lesson and not just a loss. But, importantly, my father stood up for me and with me, to celebrate, commiserate, and recognize the milestones of life.

I am keenly aware of my responsibilities as a dad -- to my daughter, to my wife, and to my family -- and I lean into action to support and encourage those around me. This includes my broader community: my peers and colleagues, team members, and network. I am committed to creating a space for dialogue and eager to be actively involved in any solution to the unrest and inequities that prevail in the world today. 

From one father to all the others (and the mothers and siblings serving as dads), let’s continue to cultivate the families we want and the communities we need to build a world we can all be proud of. Happy Father’s Day!