A lot of John McKnight’s influence can be found on these pages. I learned a great deal about community organizing, change, compassion, and humility from him. John passed away a week ago.
There is a well-known quote from Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” When I think about the legacy of John McKnight, I do indeed remember what he said and did, but most of all I remember how he made me feel.
When you had a conversation with John, regardless of the topic, somehow you left the conversation feeling better about yourself. You felt validated in your pursuits. You had an increased sense of hope.
Whether in a one-on-one chat, or in an auditorium full of people, you felt like John was talking directly to you in the most wise, and profound way imaginable. I once invited him to deliver a keynote speech to a group of people who didn’t always work with a focus on peoples’ capacities. John gave a short talk that consisted mostly of stories of normally invisible people doing amazing things for their communities. The talk was great, but the Q&A afterward was even better. His answers humanized concepts with real stories, when questioners thought they were looking for theoretical answers.
John McKnight was a modest, unassuming man who changed the lives of thousands of people throughout the world. He encouraged them to work with others in their communities, especially the marginalized, to improve everyone’s quality of life. His legacy is profound.
I learned a great deal from him. I am saddened that he no longer walks the earth. I will, however, always remember how he made me feel.
John L. McKnight died peacefully at his home in Evanston, IL on November 2, 2024, at the age of 92.
This piece appeared originally on Medium.
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