One of the most famous—and famously unhinged—Southern belles in Tennessee Williams’ literary cannon once said, “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” Perhaps to our chagrin, most of us can likely identify with Blanche Dubois on this, in some respect. Whether it comes from strangers, family, coworkers, or friends, we all get along in this world a great deal easier when our co-habitants on this great “blue marble” we call home show us kindness. In our society, the universal maxim “be kind” is repeated to most of us so frequently that it is reduced to a platitude, and often neglected. Particularly in the apocalyptic-feeling landscape of 2020—with a pandemic, a civil rights movement, and environmental disasters fully underway—the message is frequently lost to more pressing issues.
This week, we at Country Roads had a sweet reminder that taking a moment to set aside our own personal issues and responsibilities and perform an act of kindness for someone else can do wonders. With our September issue severely delayed due to a power outage from Hurricane Laura at our printing press, and the resulting disappointment and frustration that comes from things just not going as planned, our staff was having a particularly Monday-ish Monday. Then, our associate publisher Ashley Fox-Smith shared a brief, handwritten note from a subscriber that made us all smile:
Thank you so much for another wonderful year. You all have done a great job in spite of everything that has happened this year. You keep us all cheered up! Blessings to all of you!
Sincerely,
Debra P.
Now, we aren’t saying we pick favorites among our subscribers, or anything of the sort (though we do, unabashedly, hope that Country Roads tops your list of favorite cultural publications). We love all of you equally. But like the sibling who brings Mom breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day morning, we must say that Debra has really gone above and beyond here, and we really appreciate the sentiment. So much so that one of our account executives, Heather Gammill, had a suggestion we couldn’t help embracing: “Maybe we should do a play on #Karen and start a #Debra and highlight all the nice things people do!”
Now, no offense intended to the Karens of the world—we know the stereotypes aren’t all true. I, for one, know a Karen who is one of the most caring and open-minded individuals I’ve met. But most of us are familiar with the associations the name has taken on recently: Karen is angry, probably without very good reason, and she wants to speak to your manager. While we’re generalizing based on lady-names, we think Debra is a perfect candidate for the Anti-Karen: A kindhearted person who is generous with her time and energy, going out of her way to take the small steps to make someone’s day better, even if she’s never met them.
“Some people have their ice buckets. We have Debra,” Ashley told the staff. “I’m taking the Debra Challenge this week... a random act of kindness goes a very long way.”
We at Country Roads were so touched by Debra’s note, that we too decided to take the “Debra Challenge,” and are now extending it to you, dear reader. In this chaotic, at times heavy year, random acts of kindness are perhaps more resounding than ever. Whether it’s giving an unexpected compliment, letting someone go ahead of you in line, leaving a treat for the delivery person who drops off your packages, or sending a handwritten card thanking those who report on your state’s culture (even if their issue is delivered late), you always have the power to make someone smile.
And in a year like 2020—the ultimate "Karen" of years—we could all use a reason to smile.
If you participate in the Debra Challenge—and we hope you do!—consider letting us know by posting about your random act of kindness and tagging #CountryRoadsDebraChallenge.
