Let’s Talk About It: Lifting As We Climb

Today’s Let’s Talk About It: Lifting As We Climb post is about the philosophy of “lifting as we climb,” which was made famous by Mary Church Terrell, a great Black woman activist, and leader. As I continue on my journey in librarianship, I wanted to write about this idea because I am concerned that people are engaging in harmful ways of individualism and deficit thinking in our profession, so I wanted to provide the benefits of this philosophy which has been part of my motivation to be better for others as I gain success. 

When I heard “lifting as we climb”, it resonated with me because it shifts gears from a deficit mindset to an abundance mindset. My friends in this profession embody this philosophy. They make sure to bring folks along or let them know about opportunities. Seeing that my value system aligns with theirs was so refreshing. We encountered people in authority or people who have clout kick people down. Unfortunately, they think that they should be the only ones with access, or they enjoy being the only ones that people rely on.

“And so, lifting as we climb, onward and upward we go, struggling and striving, and hoping that the buds and blossoms of our desires will burst into glorious fruition ‘ere long. With courage, born of success achieved in the past, with a keen sense of the responsibility which we shall continue to assume, we look forward to a future large with promise and hope. Seeking no favors because of our color, nor patronage because of our needs, we knock at the bar of justice, asking an equal chance.”

Mary Church Terrell

The idea of “lift as you climb” is that as you succeed in your own life, you should also help others achieve success. This can be done by mentoring, donating to causes, or simply helping someone. The idea is that helping others will create a more positive and supportive environment for everyone, ultimately benefiting you as well. Also, this idea is what social justice and inclusion are all about. 

There are many benefits to following the “lift as you climb” philosophy. First, it can help you to build strong relationships with others. When you help others, they are more likely to remember your kindness and be willing to help you in return. This can create a support network that can be invaluable in your career and personal life.

Second, “lift as you climb” can help you positively impact the world. When you help others, you are making community. This can be a gratifying experience, and it can also give you a sense of purpose. Community building is essential because we can not do this alone. Yes, we must do our own work; however, we must work together to improve things for everyone. 

Finally, “lift as you climb” can help you achieve your goals. What goals might you ask? These goals can be around our mental health, career, or personal. Professionally, I have accomplished so much by collaborating with brilliant people, and I would have only been able to have accomplished half of the things by myself. We often need to link up with people with the skill set to make things happen, or they provide insight into things that we haven’t considered. This is the beauty of diversity. So this philosophy ties perfectly to the tenets of social justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. If we genuinely consider others while we obtain our goals, then like the African proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

If you want to succeed, I encourage you to follow the “lift as you climb” philosophy. It is a simple but powerful idea that can have a significant impact on your life and the lives of others. Even though I want to know why some people don’t practice this philosophy, I know that is a layered answer. There is room for everyone, and don’t give into power hoarding, which is one of the characteristics of white supremacy culture. We don’t have to climb alone; we can have someone alongside us, and they don’t have to be behind us when we are climbing. 

So what philosophy drives you? What are your core values? How can you work on dismantling white supremacy culture? I look forward to your thoughts in the comments section!