Top 10 historical influences

Here's an interesting idea for a meme, courtesy of Steve Dillard, Southern Appeal:

I just began reading a book this morning, "Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer," as part of my morning quiet time (which I've been neglecting of late), and there is a fascinating question posed and answered by the author at the very outset: Who are the top ten "historical persons who have had the greatest impact on [your] life (excluding Jesus Christ and the Blessed Mother–hey, it's a Catholic book, you know it's going to have a Marian vibe going)"?

My personal list is below. It's taken my about an hour and a half to come up with it, but I consider the time well spent, as it's been a long, long time since I've contemplated the influences on my own life.

If you're so inclined, please add your own top-10 list by way of comment. Better yet, if you have your own blog, please consider propagating this idea there. Thinking about the influences on our lives is a healthy exercise.

1. Martin Luther King, Jr. Because of him, a poor white boy raised in the segregated Deep South grew up into someone who tries hard not to judge people by the color of their skin.
2. John Minor Wisdom. The Supreme Court may have rendered the decision in Brown v. Board of Education, but it was Judge Wisdom, aided by his Fifth Circuit brethren, who implemented it in the states composing the former Confederacy.
3. Jimmy Carter. Thirty years ago, he earned my first presidential votes. His presidency raised great hopes, yet ended with great disappointment. Since leaving office, he's dedicated himself to promoting democracy and helping people in poor countries lead decent lives. One more thing: He married but once—a faithful husband to Rosalyn for I don't know how many decades.
4. Bill Rodgers. Twenty-five years ago, inspired by Boston Billy, I became interested in competitive long-distance running. The results of that influence include the following:
   1. A house full of Crescent City Classic posters (prizes for top-500 finishers in the mega-race): the earliest from 1983, the most recent from 2000.
   2. Two appearances in the Boston Marathon: the first in 1985, the second in 2002.
   3. Dozens of friends whom I never would have met but for a common interest in competitive running.
5. Pope John Paul II. I didn't agree with everything he said, but there's no questioning his profound influence on the world I live in and the church I belong to. And there's no denying his charisma.
6. Archbishop Philip M. Hannan. As auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C., he delivered the eulogy at JFK's funeral. As archbishop of New Orleans, he led the local church here for 23 years. More recently, he's taken a position on the Iraq war contrary to the pacifist position of most of his fellow bishops. Whether you agree or disagree with him (I'm often in the latter category), the man is undoubtedly a leader.
7. Bob Dylan. When he came out with his Jesus records in the late 70s and early 80s, I thought it wouldn't be long before a great Christian movement would sweep through rock and roll. That didn't happen. Nevertheless, I can't think of anyone who's had a wider cultural influence on America since 1960 or so.
8. George Owell. His masterpiece 1984 changed the ways I think about politics and language.
9. Pete Maravich. In the 1990s, everyone wanted to Be Like Mike. But back in the 70s, there were millions of kids, black and white, who practiced for hours trying to make their games just a little bit more like Pistol Pete's. I was one of them.
10. Hans Landis. Hans is a famous Anabaptist martyr. Presumably, he had some influence on his brother, Rudolfi, who grew up to become my great (times 10) grandfather.

Comments

[SAM]

I was a few years too young for Jimmy Carter's 1976 election, but I suspect that I would have voted for Reagan because I did so in 1980. Still, I can't think of a more decent and more honorable man than former President Carter. Both political parties should be scouring the country for candidates comparable to him. Among the current lot are far too many disappointments. We need many more like him--in and out of public service. I hope he's around to serve as an example to us for years to come.