Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1037255
6 | M A C O N M A G A Z I N E O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 8 E D I T O R ' S L E T T E R I pledge to love Macon and be an advocate for our community. I honestly believe Macon is a wonderful, vibrant and unique place to live, work and be involved … I love Macon, do you? Perhaps you have heard of the i love macon pledge, a grassroots effort created by Macon Magazine's 2011 Five Under 40 Young Leaders to boost civic pride and positive attitudes about Macon. We cannot quantify its effect, other than the more than 10,000 pledge signatures received. But many of us believe the i love macon movement made a permanent change here. at change happened because of the people who chose to ignite more good in our city. Yes, Maconites, we have challenges and concerns. And even this eternal optimist and new owner of Macon Magazine can get jaded. Yet, I believe that the real change happens when we have the vision to be the Beloved Community spoken of by Martin Luther King Jr. at vision requires us to be all inclusive, embrace our differences and work for justice for all while consistently acknowledging the stories – both the wonderful and the heartbreaking – that make Macon the unique city that it is. My vision in life, and for this magazine, is to honor the shoulders we stand on; look for the good stories and share them; and choose to work with the people who will move us forward together. King's Beloved Community is about love, a practical love that requires participation. When that love is fully present, it compels us to act. My hope is that the stories we share on these pages will connect you to ideas, causes and people to bring you a deeper, more diverse understanding and appreciation of Macon. In turn, that connection might offer you more reason to act in love for this community. at is when the real good happens. Macon Magazine (and Macon, for that matter) wouldn't exist without some wise women who made it their mission to seek, share and celebrate these stories. I stand on their shoulders. And I pledge to do the work to not disappoint you, reader. I will recruit five other people who love our community to sign this pledge and join me in celebrating Macon. e pledge ended with that passionate plea. I think we honor Macon best when we acknowledge our challenges then commit to celebrating her with our love-filled actions. It takes all of us. How do you celebrate Macon? I want to hear from you. Your energy sparks me. Susannah C. Maddux susannah@maconmagazine.com Share your love in action for our city on social media with #ilovemacon and tag us @maconmagazine