Do we have apreference for FLAWED leaders?

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Sometimes I think the "black community" has a affinity for leaders with public flaws. Consider, former president Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton in comparison to Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice and Clarence Thomas.

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

Answers

Rev. Paris "flaws" using your words are part of humanity. For it is a part of Original Sin. African-Americans are wonderful leaders, teachers, parents, business people. It is sad that in the year 2001 that "negative sterotypes" are being perpetuated on an A.M.E discussion board of a denomination that was founded because of racism and stereotypes. In every race there are those who have hurt, killed and lied. A few example of those who are NOT African-Americans. Adolf Hitler, Mousalini, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Swaggert, Those that gave Native American free blankets laced with the small pox virus, and the list goes on and on. I know there are many who read this discussion board who are not African-American and to you I say welcome. I would encourage all of us to love one another and not perpetuate sterotypes. Christianity is about love, forgiveness, and justice!

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

Perhaps I did not make myself clear by asking the question: Why do we honor and trust people such as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Bill Clinton whose personal lives leave something to be desired and ignore people such as Clarence Thomas, Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice who in my estimation are far better role models? I contend that there are numerous leaders that labor in the trenches without getting the public recognition they deserve at the expense of a few rogues.

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

Blessings,

Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001


I was asked through private email for a source on the subject "Blankets given to Indians with the small pox virus on them" One source is the web page www.ramapoughmountainindians.com this web page is the web page for the ramapough indians who live in upstate New York and Northern New Jersey.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Although I know your question is probably most serious, I have to take a more "in the ghetto" approach with my answer. Remember the song, "Smooth Operator?" We tend to fall for the guys and girls who has the kind of talk that's pleasing to our ears. The rehtoric sounds good!

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

Praise God for flawed leaders. First Moses, then David,then Solomon. How many more can you name. I am so glad God judges us by our hearts.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001


AMEN to "Pleasing to our ears";

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2001

I can only speak for myself. I am often guilty of following charismatic people who are able to get the job done and who are not afraid to speak up on issues that may appear to be controversial in nature. That is the difference, I think, between a "Jesse Jackson" and an "Al Sharpton" and a "Condolezza Rice" and a "Clarence Thomas". Whatever you want to say about Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton's private lives and public "problems", these men have both been unafraid to put their necks on the lives for all people, particularly African American people and the common folk in our communities. I cannot necessarily say that about Condolezza Rice, even though I do respect her position. I would also like to say that the "private sins" of Bill Clinton and Jessie Jackson are only public because they are major public figures. Also, when a regular, everyday person becomes a national figure head, the media invests time and energy to search for negative information on that person. Take for instance Vanessa Williams. Shortly after she won Miss America, the scandalous photos were revealed. The photos would never have been an issue if she had not won.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2001

I would like to take a stab at your question. To be honest there is no way to judge who the "black community" has an affinity for. To ask the question assumes that the "black community" is a monolith and all hold the same views. The question that you should be actually asking is why do media outlets focus attention on flawed leaders as champions of the black community. Furthermore, relying on popular oerceptions to shape the image that you have of people is a dangerous way of viewing them and the world. For instance, some could believe Justice Thomas to be sexually agressive, perverse, and disrespectful to women. That is if you believe the assertations put forth during his confirmation hearing and the accusation of Anita Hill. But to you he is worthy of respect.

As for the peole that you held up as flawed, while I may disagree or not with their politics, positions, or be saddened by some of their mistakes, the fact that they have made life decesions to live in the public eye, take unpopular stands, and support many causes and policies that black people hold near and dear make them worthy of high reguard in the eyes of those who agree with them. Make no mistake Bill Clinton, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson have stood up and spoken the truth to power and gotten results for black people. They raise questions that demand answers and do not allow the status quo to remain undisturbed.

The people that you have lifted for consideration while their personal accomplishments are wonderful, at what point have they done anything for the "black community" that you feel should look to them as leaders. Most in the "black community" disagree with the stances and positions that Justice Thomas takes so why would he be held in esteem. Dr. Rice and Secretary Powell have both ascended to some of the highest levels of government but have the contributed to the upliftment of the black communty and do they desire to.

I feel safe in saying that the "black community is proud when they see Secretary Powell and Dr. Rice advising the president. I feel safe saying that they are as proud of them as any community would be of seeing their own do well, but the fact is the flawed leaders that you seem to hold in scorn have been working in and for the black communinity and Dr. Rice and Secretary Powell have not. Visability and personal achievement do not equal leadership.

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001


General Powell's involvement with the community was expressed through the organization America's Promise. For more information, see their website at http://www.americaspromise.org/ .

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001

I argue that what benefits the United States also benifits the black community. If we lose the war against terrorism, will not the black community lose? Were there not black folk in the WTC? My argument is that there is no "black community" with a different set of needs and values from the "white community". It is time to get through with this black vs white thing and become the true UNITED States of America. I argue that most of the socalled black leaders with a black agenda are pimps feeding off a racial divide that they themselves promote.

Blessings, Pastor paris

-- Anonymous, December 05, 2001



Pastor Paris I too abhor racism for it divides and envelopes our country like cancer. The longer I work in the Human Rights areana the more I am convinced without a doubt; that racism is a spiritual condition. It is evil. When looks at the time that Jesus walked this earth, and look at the people he interacted they were from different countries, economic backgrounds, they had illness, there were tax collectors, prostitutes etc. But to Christ we are all the same in the eyes of God. Racism is a direct contradiction to the Christian religion. Racism was not born from God, but is a by-product of our "fallen nature". I feel strongly that as Christians and the body of Christ we should look at racism as a spiritual malady and treat it as such. Begin with prayer, ask for spiritual intervention, make confessions regarding our own racism, preach, teach about racism from the pulpit. And encourage our white, jewish clergy, and laity to do the same. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's dream came from God, it came from his Christian beliefs, we too must put on the full body armor of Christ and allow Jesusm to fight this evil. One last thing. This past August a member of our ministerial staff resigned from our church with her family. After we officially became A.M.E It was a blow for she was a founding member and greatly loved. She and her family had not attended church in years, I watched her children blossom, I watched them begin to think about others, for service to others is a component in our church. But when we officially became an A.M.E church they said they could not belong to a church with African in it's name because it was not inclusive. I explained that God wanted an A.M.E church in a predominantly white town for a reason. And that of course we were inclusive because we had greeted her with love. I tried to get her to look at her own racism, Which she couldn't. And they left, I have since learned they belong to a "white church" the children have stopped going for it is not like our church and the husband has stopped attending for it is boring. I continue to pray for them. This story illustrates how racism takes God's children from him. Pastor Paris continue to be passionate about the issue of racism for as Christians we are called to combat hate, injustice with the love of Christ.

-- Anonymous, December 06, 2001

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