Building Better Community Leadership: Don't Be Divided and Conquered

IF we are friends, and I've not come to you and said I have a problem, or our friendship must cease, then we are still friends.  UNLESS you have decided that you have a problem or that our friendship must cease.  BUT please never let anyone else come to you and say that our friendship must or will or might cease. 

If we will allow ourselves to be divided (again) then we accept that we will be conquered.  And yet it's a regular occurrence for US to fall out; whoever us is.  We don't need another reminder about our transgressions.  So to the root of the issue, we should ask: Why does this happen?  Why have we allowed ourselves to be turned against one another for personal, professional and political goals?  And if we ask that same question from a cultural lens, then it is: How can a people who only represent 4 percent of the state population wield the audacity to war against itself?  Later…

Then to the question why --  agendas.  And egos.  And some other stuff.  But keep it simple: If I was in control and I saw a group forming and growing and picking up momentum with an agenda contrary to mine, I might not be above finding or planting an infiltrator or two.  I can't think of an easier way to neutralize the competition; because their conflict becomes internal and I walk away smiling and counting. 

Particularly in lieu of all the recent political musical chairs, there seems to be an aggressive wind blowing for candidates of color.  We all know that is such a critical issue, and probably will be for some time to come.  Let us be careful to put our best foot forward.  See to it that we get fully behind whoever is qualified, and be rational with those who might still need polishing.  And please let us NOT let this opportunity be dropped or spoiled by in-fighting and back-biting because we've been pulled apart by endorsements, donations, sponsorship, credibility nor notoriety. 

There are NO circumstances where WE can afford to be divided.  Whether lines are drawn around age, race, "class", geography, gender, or party, neither one group alone can hold and utilize the power it will take to steer our communities right and true.  And while we recruit, race, volunteer, campaign, donate, vote and otherwise engage, let's do that with each other in mind.  As the distinguished Multnomah County Commissioner Loretta Smith shared, "there are no permanent friends, there are no permanent enemies, only permanent issues". 

 

The views expressed are the sole opinion of the writer and do not represent any entity, organization, or agency.