Explorations in Black Leadership

Co-Directed by Phyllis Leffler & Julian Bond

Be the Good Samaritan

BOND: One last question. Looking back over your life, what is the greatest contribution you've made as a leader?

CLYBURN: Well, I think that if I were to just look at one thing, it would be difficult, so I would have to generalize. I think it's been learning to live that second great commandment, doing unto others as you'd have them do unto you. That's my biggest contribution because that goes -- in every, all my talks, no matter where it is, political banquet or whatever, it's all grounded basically in the tenth chapter of St. Luke and the story of the Good Samaritan because there're so many parts of that story that has meaning for me. It teaches me fundamentally that -- what being a good neighbor is. It's not about church membership. It's not about ethnicity and it's all about sometimes getting down off your high horse and administering to the needs where you find them. That, to me, has been my biggest contribution. I try hard every day not to get too far from that.

BOND: Congressman Clyburn, thanks for being with us.

CLYBURN: Thank you for having me.