Ohio lawmakers are challenging citizens to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday with 250 acts of kindness.
Senate Resolution 271 (SR 271), titled “Support the United States of Kindness initiative,” was introduced in February to support Values-in-Action, an organization based on promoting kindness in Ohio schools and communities. As of publication, it has not been adopted by the Senate.
The resolution asks that Ohioans commit to one act of kindness per day from April 25 to Dec. 31, no matter how big or small. Though the proposal is moving through the Senate, it is not law, but encouragement to Ohio citizens to promote Values-in-Action’s initiative. A resolution is merely a formal expression of the opinion or will of the legislature, and it cannot be enforced.
Bowling Green State University students’ opinions of this government decision are mixed. Some students agree with the messaging but not the execution, and some are all for it.
Diara Capito, a junior majoring in digital arts and design, said, “The acts of kindness do align with my values; kindness can be such a powerful tool, and I believe it can make our country a better place.”
Capito explained that the resolution is a valuable use of the government’s time and resources, kindness being an important value that can make the nation and world better.
Envy Steyer, junior majoring in film production, had similar things to say regarding personal values, but was not so sure about the execution of the messaging.
“While I do agree with the messaging of this resolution, it doesn’t feel like it’s actually doing anything,” Steyer said. “This feels so performative…The resolution is telling everybody to do something that everybody tells everyone to do every single day.”
Steyer said the statement being made is something that people should already be doing every day regardless, and that government time and resources should be used for “more important things.”
An anonymous senior year majoring in media production, also expressed agreement with the values of the messaging.
“American life post COVID[-19] has largely forgotten about kindness in a time where it is painfully needed,” they said.
Like Steyer, they expressed a similar sentiment regarding the execution.
“I do not believe this is a valuable use of government resources, however. There are far more pressing issues deeply hurting Ohioans that need to be addressed,” they said.
Mercedes Brennan, freshman majoring in marine biology, had a different outlook.
“…It shows that the government actually cares about people being kind to each other,” Brennan said.
Brennan also pointed out an issue with the resolution, being that it is not well-known among Ohioans.
“I’m curious to see how many people are actually going to participate in that, especially since it’s not a law,” she said. “If you don’t follow that, most people are probably not even gonna know about it.”
BGSU students interested in following this legislation can track its status at https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/136/sr271/status or learn more about the Values-in-Action Foundation at https://www.viafdn.org/.
