In an emotionally charged acceptance speech for an ADL (Anti-Defamation League) award, Edward Blumberg expresses profound gratitude to the attendees, especially noting the presence of his long-time friends and the ADL staff and host committee. He then takes a moment of “personal privilege” to highlight two individuals in the audience, Tony and Angela Harris, whose story serves as a powerful testament to the American judicial system and the transformative power of perseverance. Blumberg recounts how Tony Harris, following a severe tractor-trailer accident, bravely chose to go to trial in North Florida despite initial low settlement offers and the potential risks. This decision, rooted in Harris’s belief in the judicial system and jury trials as an American, ultimately resulted in a substantial measure of justice for him and his wife. Blumberg emphasizes that this was not the end of their inspiring journey.
The Harrises, rather than using their settlement for personal gain, established an organization dedicated to helping underprivileged children. This initiative, focused on track and field and affiliated with the Olympics and Amateur Athletic Association, has guided nearly a thousand kids away from negative paths like dropping out of school or drug use. It teaches them not only athletic skills but also vital life lessons such as good study habits, respect for others, and the rejection of hate, fostering “real Americans.” Many of these young people have gone on to graduate high school, attend college, serve in the military, and even compete in the Olympics, a truly remarkable impact that Blumberg holds up as a beacon of hope against the backdrop of negative news. The speech powerfully shifts from a personal story of justice to a broader call to action against hate, framed within the principles of American democracy and the vital role of the ADL.