We Have Got to do Better

By Roy Douglas Malonson

“Nobody trusts anyone in authority today.  It is one of the main features of our age.  Wherever you look, there are lying politicians, crooked bankers, corrupt police officers, cheating journalists and double-dealing media barons, sinister children’s entertainers, rotten and greedy energy companies and out-of-control security services.” -Adam Curtis

I couldn’t agree with Adam Curtis more.  Because over the years, I have witnessed the Black culture go through many changes. One thing which really bothers me is the fact that too many Black folks think they are entitled to a role in leadership, just because they are Black.  But I am sounding the alarm.  Because I am sick and tired of people trying to capitalize off of the Black community for support and then when it’s time to consider what’s best for our community, the people who solicited support from us are nowhere to be found.  I have seen this happen too many times and have been questioned myself when it comes to this, “Do I fight those who I fought for?”

It may sound strange to some people, but it is heart-wrenching to have to battle with someone you once fought so hard to support.  We MUST Understand it is time out for us accepting the first person that comes along screaming they are the next leader.  We have got to start holding our Black leadership, especially the preachers and politicians, accountable.

I always highlight these positions, because they are two seats that have the ability and authority to do and make great things happen in and for our community.  It is time that those assets are used for the people they claim they represent.  In the event that they will not produce, find a replacement!

But I am not just singling out our leaders.  As it is, everybody wants to lead, but everybody can’t lead.  Nobody wants to follow.  Nobody wants to respect, he or she that does what’s best and that is a factor that is crippling us as a people as well.  Nonetheless, we all should have a responsibility in some way, to strive to reach our full potential and encourage those coming behind us to follow those steps.

I often surf the internet researching information and I recently ran across a quote from the Success Club.  It said, “I was raised to treat the janitor with the same respect as the CEO.”

I understand this thought pattern because that is the way we were raised also.  It didn’t matter what a person’s affiliation, title, handle, position or status was.  We were taught to respect everyone, especially those who had authority over us. Furthermore, during my day there was a special level of respect that was reserved specifically for our elders and the leaders throughout the community.  But now, we live in a society where people won’t respect themselves, their parents, children, leaders or anyone else for that matter.

Sad to state, but many of our mis-educated folks believe that their education has entitled them to turn their nose up at people.  Many demonstrated a personality which suggests that they don’t have to respect anyone who has reached the level of education they have.  Folks wake up, we have got to do better!