Keller @ Large: Lead By Example, Not Rhetoric

BOSTON (CBS) - On Monday night, the Natick Board of Selectmen were engaged in what has become a regrettable but common exercise for government officials – debating how best to respond to an apparent recent outburst of racist vandalism, taunting and other vulgar offenses.

Before unanimously approving a statement denouncing "all expressions of hatred, intolerance, and discrimination," the board debated for a while whether or not that was a well-meaning but empty gesture.

And I was especially struck by the comments of Selectman John Connolly, who noted that he and others in Natick have been promoting and defending diversity through their ongoing volunteer work and community activism.

"Rather than write about it or say it, just do it," said Connolly.

What a brilliant concept – leading by example, not rhetoric.

There is nothing new about this.

If we're lucky, we all have people in our lives and our communities who model exemplary behavior – cops, firefighters, ministers, nurses, teachers, parents, and more.

We call them role models for a reason – they model tolerance, acceptance, fairness, courage, thoughtfulness, spirituality, all the good stuff.

Chances are, few of these people waste much or any of their precious time composing virtue-proclaiming tweets or Facebook posts.

They know that the real work of creating hate-free adults is done face-to-face, hopefully by parents, but if not, by the role models among us.

Political statements can inflame the haters, no doubt about it.

But no matter how sincere, they can't really counter hate or build a tolerant society the way "just doing it" can.

Listen to Jon's commentary: