Friday, May 31, 2013

Make it so

Patrick Stewart is probably known for his role as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation and his signature phrases "Engage" and "Make it so." Stewart is a very talented actor with a long list of credits, but lately he has been in the news for something entirely different.

It happened at Comicpalooza during a question and answer period when a young woman asked Stewart about what the most important thing he’d ever done besides acting. Stewart's response was his work with campaigns against violence towards women, which led to a wonderful but unexpected gesture. Stewart hoped off the stage and went directly to the woman, reassuring her that she was safe and giving her a warm hug. According to the news accounts, the people there were all moved to tears as Stewart reminded the crowd that domestic violence is never the woman’s fault.

Patrick Stewart is not the first celebrity to speak out against violence against women, but he is certainly correct that men can make it stop. He has opened up about witnessing his own mother suffer, and that is a powerful story.

I'd like to end this month by echoing the words of Patrick Stewart. Domestic violence has ruined lives and needs to stop. Make it so!

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