Lena Horne Worksheet

Refuse To Take The Stage

You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way.

Lena Horne lived by her words. She declined to participate in an event when some in audience were being treated as “second class”. Horne refused to take the stage when the practices of the sponsoring organization conflicted with her high standards. Heed her example. Refuse to compromise in the face of injustice, especially when it concerns the unfair treatment of certain groups. Safeguard your integrity. No matter how much you’re getting paid, how far you’ve traveled or how strongly you feel about a cause, don’t get involved if there’s injustice or any kind of unfairness. Ask yourself:

Answer these questions before you get involved. Just because others are in the mud doesn’t mean you have to get down and dirty with them.