{"id":15816,"date":"2021-07-16T10:57:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-16T14:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithmediaandculture\/?p=15816"},"modified":"2021-07-16T11:59:12","modified_gmt":"2021-07-16T15:59:12","slug":"harry-chapins-legacy-lives-on-netflix-presents-ryan-murphy-doc-on-gay-conversion-therapy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/faithmediaandculture\/2021\/07\/harry-chapins-legacy-lives-on-netflix-presents-ryan-murphy-doc-on-gay-conversion-therapy.html","title":{"rendered":"Harry Chapin’s legacy lives on + Netflix presents Ryan Murphy doc on gay conversion therapy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 07\/16\/21<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"Remembering<\/p>\n

A consequential life.<\/strong> The world has changed a lot in the 40 years since one of my all-time favorite musical artists, the legendary singer\/songwriter Harry Chapin<\/a>, was killed this day in a tragic car accident on New York’s Long Island Expressway in in 1981 – yet the profound issues he sang about are, like his work, timeless.<\/p>\n

Beyond his musical talent, he was also a family man who cared about the world he lived in. It was his compassion for others that led to him being posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal<\/a> for his humanitarian in 1987.<\/p>\n

Among his many philanthropic efforts was Long Island Cares<\/a>, an organization the Long Island resident founded in 1980 just a year before his death. The organization continues today, distributing over ten million pounds of food and supplies annually to nearly 400 member agencies in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. It’s services were very appreciated by those who unexpectedly found themselves facing food insecurity during the pandemic.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Sandy Chapin, Harry’s widow, Sandy is now chair of Long Island Cares<\/a>, as well as The Harry Chapin Foundation<\/a> which supports organizations that “dramatically improve the lives and livelihood of people by helping them to become self-sufficient.” Other family members are also active in the organization.<\/p>\n

Here are Sandy and Harry’s son Josh Chapin talking about the impact of Harry’s most famous recording (based on a poem by Sandy). His performance of the classic Cat’s in Cradle<\/em> follows. The iconic song says a lot about living in the moment and not letting less important things distract us from what’s most important.<\/p>\n