I read a essay at theroot.com about how the leaders of the civil rights era need to basically get the fuck out of the way and let this new breed of well degreed (aside from the ever popular divinity) leader types take over. What they are supposed to be taking over, I was not exactly sure of, but they know they want to take over. To me it is just jumping the fence from the sellout generation to the buyout generation. Big whoop.

As I mature, I come to have some expectation of what I would like to see in a leader. The first thing I wanted was authority, I do not mean authority over me or anyone else, but authority over the subject matter. It came from when I was in the USN and the captain I served under was a battle geek. He was far from a people-person, but the stuff he had in his head about every ship on the ocean as well as tactics that just blew people out of the proverbial water. It was something he enjoyed as well, I mean his eyes would light up as he determined his tactics, kind of thing. But it was not by him telling me these things, it was by me seeing him do things.
We were engaged in an excercise where we were the enemy of the fleet. Well suffice it to say, he sunk the fleet. And he did it in such a simple manner, until it was embarrassing. He was not just an authority, but an authority with a vivacios love of the game. If he had broke away from the Navy and be come a pirate, I would have went just for the adventure. He was a hellofa skipper, that is for sure.

Lately, I have come upon another requirement for a leader, one that is at odds with our black leaders now and the ones that want to take their places. What are you willing to give up for the cause? Because it is the cause that is the most important. We all know Dr. King gave his life for the cause of civil rights and equality, you can not give much more than that. But Nelson Mandela, what he did is even harder. He gave up his position. He could have easily been president of South Africa for the rest of his natural life. He could have been a beneficent dictator if he wanted to, he could have even gone on to be like Robert Mugabe, had he wanted to. But the peaceful transition of power was a much more important thing in the cause than him preserving his power. The peaceful transition of power was not a common thing in Africa, but that is changing. He was not the first to peacefully turn over power, but he was one of the most widely seen and acknowledged for it. How wonderful an idea is the peaceful transition of power, so much so that he stepped down. That was cool.

Are you willing to take a pay cut? Are you willing to move to a black, innercity neighborhood and send your children to school there? Are you willing to give up your automobile because of the damage it does? Are you willing to take an asskicking, rocks to the head, firehose, days in lockup? Are you willing to step down and become an elder? Are you willing to put aside your pride for things that are more important than you? Are you willing to admit that there are people better suited for your seat of power than your son or daughter or brother or best friend?

Do you think making sacrifices for the cause is or should be a requirement of leaders? Or should we 'follow' people who are successful and all the benefits that come with success (which I think is the current plan)?

Are there any other ideals you would like to see in 'leaders'?

I think a leader should not ask no more than what she or he is willing to give up themselves. Don't send me out on the battlefield unless you are going too. Don't let me have to look for you!!!
I expect whatever is to be done that a leader will have my back ~ unconditionally....well, at least after their Own family.