Onah [View all]

[H2O Man]

“I myself have no power. It's the people behind me who have all the power. Real power comes only through the Creator. It's in his hands. But if you're asking about strength, not power, then I can say the greatest strength is gentleness.”
Tadodaho Leon Shenandoah


This quote is from Harvey Arden and Steve Wall's book, “The Wisdom Keepers: Meetings with Native American Spiritual Leaders.” I was fortunate to know Leon as “Uncle.” As the head of the Haudenosaunee's Grand Council of Chiefs, Leon dedicated his life to serving the people of the Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy. They were “the people behind” him.

It's interesting to compare and contrast the styles of leadership between Leon and the current president of the United States. One provided stability, even in troubled times; the other is central in creating instability. And that, as the old saying goes, is the difference between sugar and shit.

What is equally important is to examine very different approaches that traditional peoples take, in their relationship to leadership, and those in the United States. This goes beyond looking at the aggressively hostile, paranoid people who support the current president. In fact, we could even consider the attitudes and behaviors of some groups and individuals on various internet political-social discussion sites.

Let's take DU as an example. Within the people who participate on DU:GD, there are several sub-groups. Included are those who identify the Democratic Party's leadership with two distinct individuals: Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Within each of these two sub-groups, there are many who are able to use rational thought, and recognize that both “leaders” and groups have an important role to play in the future. Yet there are others – frequently the most vocal in discussions – that are aggressively irrational, extremely hostile, and unfortunately paranoid about the “dangers” posed by those who have different thoughts, beliefs, and values.

It's worth considering what type of “people behind the leaders” we are attempting to be. Indeed, this is something that played a significant role in determining the outcomes of elections past, i9ncluding 2016, and will continue to be a major influence in elections in the future.

If Donald Trump and his administration are as corrupt, inept, and dangerous as everyone says – and I think they are much more dangerous than that – then it is essential that everyone harness their best potential, and focus upon creating a united front to combat the threats. That is the one alternative that we have – right now, today – towards advancing the Democratic Party to lead a coalition capable of bringing about the Great Society.

Peace,
H2O Man