As the person who arguably knows him best, Burnley’s sister Margaret Spearmon says of him, “Larry is a formidable
character who strives for excellence in all that he does. He goes the extra mile. He’s always on a quest to learn more, to
contribute more, to hold himself accountable to a concept of shared humanity called ubuntu — a Zulu term that translates
as ‘I am because you are.’”
Or, as Burnley puts it, “My neighbor is really an extension of myself. I’ve learned from my faith and other cultures this
interconnectedness we have. To help see ourselves in others, and others in ourselves, is at the center of my work. We’ve
created these categories as a way to separate ourselves and divide us. Instead, we can use these pillars of unity and justice
to let love drive us.” SL
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