Melvin B. Miller
Editor & Publisher

Good followers attract
strong leaders

When a crisis erupts in the black community, authorities from downtown converge to find the leader who can solve the problem. Although this approach has never worked, it seems to be an indelible mindset to which the authorities invariably resort.

There is always considerable confusion about who is the appropriate leader to resolve the issue. Those outside the black community usually rely on the major media’s determination about who the black leaders are. When the politicos choose the wrong persons for the task, and the problem is not resolved, then the black community is pilloried for suffering a failure of leadership.

What causes the problem is that heads of agencies and individuals involved in efforts to improve conditions in the black community are often erroneously identified as leaders. While they might be respected because of their skills and expertise on certain matters, they are not widely regarded as leaders. In fact, true leaders are rare, even in the white community.

There are primarily two qualifications for leadership. One is that the leader has enough power to achieve at least a modicum of results in those tasks that he or she might undertake. The other is that the leader’s followers are so loyal that they would react courageously and selflessly to defend against any attack on the leader.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader, but even he was aware after a revolt against his leadership in Chicago that without some victories, the people would turn away from him. When King was assassinated, his followers demonstrated in major cities across the country.

On the other hand, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. who represented Harlem in Congress from 1945 to 1967, was not really a leader. In Congress, Powell was responsible for the enactment of important social legislation. He certainly knew how to exercise congressional power. However, when he was sued for defamation when he called a Harlem resident a bag lady for the Mafia, none of his constituents would testify on his behalf. Query whether he was truly a leader if none of his constituents had the courage to come to his defense.

The only nationally recognized black leader today is Minister Louis Farrakhan. When he called for the Million Man March in October 1995, more than a million black men from all over the country came to Washington, D.C. No one else could have done this. Because of numerous threats on his life, Farrakhan maintains tight security. Members of the Nation of Islam would certainly respond to any attack on their leader.

While the status of Farrakhan is unique there are many blacks who would be willing to step forward to lead the way to a better life for African Americans. Many are discouraged by the lack of discipline and commitment from the people that would make their efforts successful. Black society suffers not so much from a dearth of leaders as a lack of followers.

Sages in the East have said, “When the ears of the seeker are open, then the wise will speak.” African Americans must do all they can to live disciplined and purposeful lives so that the brightest and the best will be encouraged to provide the expertise and leadership necessary to move ahead.