The Art of Kindness

by (BPRW)

When a person opens their heart, mind and soul for a person, an act of human kindness is displayed. When a person opens their heart to show compassion for the plight of another country, or promotes human welfare and social reform for that country, they are considered a humanitarian. Actor Don Cheadle is that type of person -- a humanitarian who has been acknowledged for his many efforts in bringing the overwhelming conditions of the people of Africa to light.

Don Cheadle, an award winning African American actor was born in Kansas City, Missouri. Cheadle graduated from the California Institute of Arts in 1986 and got his first acting role in 1988 in the movie “Colors.”

In recent years, Cheadle has starred in roles depicting genocide and conflict in the war-torn African nation of Rwanda. In the movie Hotel Rwanda, Cheadle portrayed a Hutu hotel manager who sheltered Tutsis and other refugees from Hutu militia. In the year 1994 nearly 800, 000 people were killed over a 3 month time span, in Africa’s largest genocide recorded in modern times. These figures all according to BBC News article published in April 2004. Cheadle has also brought the ethnic and political conflicts of Darfur to the forefront. He has co-written a book title, “Not On Our Watch: The Mission to End Genocide in Darfur and Beyond.”

Cheadle continues to focus on bringing attention to global warfare issues as well as aiding in prevention of hostile violence as seen through Rwandan Genocide and the genocidal conflicts in Darfur and throughout the continent of Africa. Mr. Cheadle has mastered not only the art of acting in the tremendous roles he has played, but he has performed acts of kindness with great magnitude. This year at the 2007 BET Awards, BET recognized Mr. Cheadle and his great efforts by bestowing the BET Humanitarian Award to such a deserving individual. Congratulations Don Cheadle and may we all learn to master the art of kindness.