Ancient Chinese Wisdom

"A leader is best
When people barely know he exists…
When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,
They will say: we did it ourselves."
- Lao-tzu

I wonder how much good Gen X leaders are fulfilling this ideal and thus not getting much credit for taking the reigns from the boomers...?

Sidebar: As I was researching, I was amused to find that there is a whole company - actually more than one - devoted to translating the wisdom of Sun-Tsu's ancient "Art of War" into modern business - and it makes a lot of sense! I'm not sure this is what I went back to grad school for, but it is interesting...

Thinking about X

I haven't thought much about Gen X lately - probably because I'm too busy. Is that where we all are right now? Too busy to stop & think about the state of the world and our place in it?

A classmate was talking about that yesterday - that one thing he hopes to get out of this class (grad level leadership theory - more fun than it sounds) is the chance to stop & think about things, and not just go-go-go.

I agree. Sometimes I think I'm nuts for pursuing another degree when all it's really getting me is debt, but I love the opportunity to spend time wrapping my brain around (arguably) important issues.

It's interesting to me that there is so little in the press about Gen X and where we are right now. Maybe as more leaders like Keith Ellison, Meria Carstarphen and Barak Obama ascend we'll see folks taking a little more time to think about it...

More on the Gap

A bold editorial on the black/white achievement gap in MN from the PiPress by a colleague & friend of mine who knows from where he speaks…

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/opinion/15289585.htm

I think he's right on. I also think that the issue is more complicated in MN because we have a hard time keeping a black professional class here. The culture of "MN Nice" makes it feel like quicksand to folks of color from other places - they can never tell what someone really thinks of them - so it can be a very uncomfortable place to live. Then the city kids don't have good role models, so they think "being black" means being ghetto, not being successful. Hence, the gap.

White folks? Comments?

Before the Primary

So the primary is in two days... I think there has been a lot of energy generated and the voting turnout will be good - at least I hope so! It's interesting to have several very competitive races at this point.

I sent the following email last week to just about everyone I know who lives in the 5th... I am still frustrated by otherwise thoughtful people who are not supporting Ellison but can't give any significant reason WHY - which I interpret as "I'm not ready to vote for the black/muslim guy". Bums me out! So I tried to provide a lot of info to help folks clarify their thinking:

Friends in the 5th-
We all know that the primary on 9/12 will all but determine our next 5th district representative to congress. Keith Ellison deserves your time to show up and vote for him on Tuesday! But I know many of you are still struggling with this decision, so I've pulled together some info for you. Ellison has been endorsed by Mondale, Rybak, Frasier, McCollum, Kelliher, McLaughlin, Pogemiller, Kelley, Moe, Spear... and of course the American Federation of Teachers, among many others! See the full list: http://www.keithellison.org/endorsements.htm Before you vote, please read the recent City Pages article about Ellison & this race:
http://citypages.com/databank/27/1343/article14661.asp And Nick Coleman's July Strib column about all the controversy: http://www.startribune.com/357/story/539892.html MPR's website has some audio clips of various Ellison speeches & interviews, as well as articles: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/2006/campaign/congress/ellison/

And if you haven't recycled it yet, read the Friday 9/1 Strib article, "Email smear is traced to rival aide" (buried on p. B7) about the "anonymous emails" that turned out to be from Paul Ostrow's campaign chair! Ostrow has fired the man and denied any knowledge of it, but it does point out to us that all the negative press has not been just because Ellison has baggage, but because someone purposely - and anonymously - made sure the media knew about it. How sad. [Also provided info on upcoming debates which have now passed.]

Bottom line in my mind:
Like me, you believe God wants better for people who are not doing as well as we are. You know we should do something about it, and Ellison has presented us with "something". Ellison will be a great rep if given the chance. His work on the north side and in the legislature has shown that again and again. The people of the north side - and the south side - and the suburbs - deserve a leader they can look up to, who inspires hope for meaningful change. YOU can make this happen. I hope you do! :) Please pass this on ASAP to other 5th district voters, and take the time to vote on Sept 12th! THANK YOU!!!

Food for Thought…

“The best way to fight tyranny is always to create something beautiful, because tyranny can't understand beauty, and thus can't destroy it.”

Saw this on a colleague's classroom wall. Put it on my own office wall & am still pondering it...