This interview with Wilma Mankiller spoke volumes for me as she talks of morals that I wish still existed more frequently in the society of today. Communities really do need a sense of interdependence and I feel that is one thing that many of the white communities no longer possess. My girlfriend's dad talks of times where he could walk two houses down to the neighbors to get sugar in exchange for a dozen eggs that he had just recovered from the chicken coop. Nowadays, I would walk to the neighbors and ask for such an exchange and my neighbor would look at me like I am crazy. I couldn't say it any better than when Wilma Mankiller states that for a community or nation to prosper, the people truly have to take care of each other (Mankiller, 2008).
I also like how she talks of the concept that revitalization only is possible from the inside out. Those that know the community from the inside have to begin the process, not saying that they can't reach outside for resources and assistance, but it has to be initiated from behind the lines (Mankiller, 2008). This idea says a lot to me as I want my community to change to the way it used to be and even though I try to help my neighbors and offer support when I can and need be, I feel that I need to start being an advocate as well. I can't change it all by myself, but I can talk to others who will in turn talk to others and maybe just maybe someday I will see change and if I don't at least my children may see change.
The last idea that I want to address is that she talks of the qualities of a good leader. An effective and great leader will work with the people; teamwork is of the essence, will stay focused, and should conduct themselves in a manner that is right and respectful (Mankiller, 2008). In my current society, we do not all work together as we all have different political affiliations that guide many of our decisions. Where Wilma Mankiller talks of finding common ground in order to develop a strong society, my country has yet to do so (Mankiller, 2008). Instead, the parties find ways to knock other parties and beliefs down so that they can surpass the political candidates running for the other parties. Not only do you see the general populous doing this, but the running mates as well. Just in the news recently, the democrat party was knocking the republican party for the fact that Donald Trump said 711 instead of 911 in one of his speech conferences. Just as the Native Americans have had to rebuild time and time again due to the white man, I feel that it is time for the white man to look at himself and think about what our fore fathers wanted when they started the country. My belief is that we have strayed away from what their initial intentions were.
Mankiller, W. (2008). Wilma Mankiller: Governance, Leadership, and the Cherokee Nation. Retrieved from https://nnidatabase.org/video/wilma-mankiller-governance-leadership-and-cherokee-nation
I saw that comment that Mr. Trump made confusing 7/11 with 9/11. I have spent many of hours standing in front of large crowds, tried and hungry, and at the most inopportune time- gotten dates or names wrong. It is a blunder that haunts me at night. However, I have yet to have any of my co-workers point it out and mock me for it. A shining of a true leader is one that notices mistakes, talks about them in the right manner at the right time to the right degree. I believe that is what Wilma Mankiller is talking about- knowing when to talk and when to listen, and how to build a team based on trust and understanding.
ReplyDelete