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H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 12:09 PM Apr 2017

Onah

“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

45 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Onah (Original Post) H2O Man Apr 2017 OP
K&R...👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 spanone Apr 2017 #1
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2017 #2
Wise words DeeDeeNY Apr 2017 #3
Thank you, DeeDeeNY! H2O Man Apr 2017 #4
K&R 2naSalit Apr 2017 #5
Thanks! H2O Man Apr 2017 #7
I would have liked to met your Uncle. Wise words. Lochloosa Apr 2017 #6
Steve wrote H2O Man Apr 2017 #8
Thanks. Just ordered a copy. Lochloosa Apr 2017 #11
I'll be interested H2O Man Apr 2017 #12
You got it. Thanks again. Lochloosa Apr 2017 #13
Yes. What qualities are worth our individually embracing? It must always be asked. K&R n/t Tom Rinaldo Apr 2017 #9
Right. H2O Man Apr 2017 #14
I think I would argue that real leaders ask more questions than they answer... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #35
Great point. H2O Man Apr 2017 #44
Thank you, H20 Man. democrank Apr 2017 #10
Exactly! H2O Man Apr 2017 #15
Seems like the "serious efforts" you mentioned would be well worth it. democrank Apr 2017 #18
Years ago, H2O Man Apr 2017 #19
K&R Great Message MagickMuffin Apr 2017 #16
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2017 #17
Obama laided it all out for us MagickMuffin Apr 2017 #27
I agree. H2O Man Apr 2017 #45
Bravo Break time Apr 2017 #20
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2017 #21
The very fact Break time Apr 2017 #33
K&R suffragette Apr 2017 #22
Thanks! H2O Man Apr 2017 #24
Thanks for so eloquently saying what I've been thinking for months. NRaleighLiberal Apr 2017 #23
Thank you. H2O Man Apr 2017 #25
Yes, snort Apr 2017 #26
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2017 #28
You're quite welcome. snort Apr 2017 #31
kick Angry Dragon Apr 2017 #29
Thanks! H2O Man Apr 2017 #37
Excellent writing, thank you saidsimplesimon Apr 2017 #30
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2017 #38
Sometimes, in life you stumble onto something sagetea Apr 2017 #32
Thanks! H2O Man Apr 2017 #40
Well said... Wounded Bear Apr 2017 #34
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2017 #41
Thank you for this wonderful wisdom that you've given us. Autumn Apr 2017 #36
Thanks. H2O Man Apr 2017 #42
Thank you! lunatica Apr 2017 #39
There are times H2O Man Apr 2017 #43

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
8. Steve wrote
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 12:28 PM
Apr 2017

a book on Leon, that came out after his passing. It's "To Become a Human Being: The Message of Tadodaho Chief Leon Shenandoah" ( HamptonRoads; 2001). I think that you would like it.

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
14. Right.
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 12:39 PM
Apr 2017

Asked and answered. We have the responsibility as human beings to ask questions -- even uncomfortable ones -- just as "leaders" have the responsibility of answering them.

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
44. Great point.
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 08:40 PM
Apr 2017

You reminded me of RFK in 1968. He wasn't saying, "Here's what I'll do," but rather, asking people to work together to accomplish great things. He encouraged people to challenge themselves to do better. And he asked why anyone would settle for less?

democrank

(11,052 posts)
10. Thank you, H20 Man.
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 12:32 PM
Apr 2017

Lately I`ve been thinking more and more about the Standing Rock Sioux and how they handled the threat they faced. They were united, fierce, determined, non-violent, courageous. Sioux leaders didn`t run around screaming and agitating. They simply stated their position, then defended it as best they could. They even prayed for the opposition.

We can learn from them.

~PEACE~

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
15. Exactly!
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 12:42 PM
Apr 2017

I think that almost all of the non-Indian people who supported the Standing Rock people recognized that there are vast differences in what is considered leadership. It is a possibility available to us, if we work to access it. It requires serious efforts. But not attempting to access it creates greater hardships.

democrank

(11,052 posts)
18. Seems like the "serious efforts" you mentioned would be well worth it.
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 01:07 PM
Apr 2017

After a recent epiphany, I realized that change had to start right here....with me, so I'm working on it.

I've been looking for leadership styles I respect. In particular, I admire Adam Schiff's approach. He presents his strength in a thoughtful, reserved way, but I wouldn't want to mess with him. Deep down I think he's pretty tough and has the intelligence required to back that up.

Something good will come of all this. We're searching, searching, searching....and eventually we'll find what we're looking for.

Thanks again for your wise words.



H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
19. Years ago,
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 01:24 PM
Apr 2017

I posted essays about the three types of leadership -- traditional, bureaucratic, and charismatic -- here on DU:GD. I focused on the potential strengths and weaknesses of each of the three. I think it is a topic that everyone could benefit from understanding, and applying to their own political-social activism.

MagickMuffin

(15,886 posts)
16. K&R Great Message
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 12:51 PM
Apr 2017

I understand where you're coming from and what you are saying.

In 2008 Barack inspired me to become a Precinct Chair, and will continue to do so. I'm not sure about anyone else here (DU) who works for the Democratic Party, I haven't had any success finding out how DUers help the party.

All I know for sure is WE have to be an active part in the party. That is how change happens. It certainly doesn't happen by constantly posting and complaining on DU 24/7, instead of using their resources to effect change. GRASSROOTS is where the action takes place.

Thanks for your continued service. I appreciate your thought provoking essays!!!

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
17. Thank you!
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 12:56 PM
Apr 2017

Thanks for your kind message, and especially for your work with the party.

I think that the Obama coalition is the model we need to re-visit. It's what we use in winning local elections that I assist in, where republicans are the majority, independents next, and then Democrats.

MagickMuffin

(15,886 posts)
27. Obama laided it all out for us
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 02:15 PM
Apr 2017

Get involved!

My precinct is a blue collar community, but it is red red red. The people vote against their best interests. However, it is starting to become more diversified. We have Asians, Mexicans-hispanics (?), African Americans. So, hopefully things will be changing in our favor soon.

The biggest problem here in Texas in regards to our State being red, it is only red because the Democrats don't bother voting. It boggles the mind that that is the state of affairs here.

I just attend the Come Together Fight Back rally with Michael Blank and Bernie Sanders. Sanders speech sounded somewhat the same as Barack's message. Not sure why their is so much disinformation/misinformation about Bernie here, however, I do have a good ideal why it is happening. SAD!!!

Oh and back in March at our CEC meeting we elected 56 new Precinct Chairs. That was so amazing to be a part of that and to witness so many wanting to get involved. It renews my hope!!!

Break time

(195 posts)
33. The very fact
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 03:52 PM
Apr 2017

That you take the time to present these people in a manner respectful yet questioning and allowing for discourse indicates to me that you are in fact not "feigning" at all

sagetea

(1,363 posts)
32. Sometimes, in life you stumble onto something
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 03:12 PM
Apr 2017

that brings you chills and warms up your entire being, this is one of those times, thank you H2O Man! This was brilliantly and profoundly put!

A'Ho,

sage

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
40. Thanks!
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 04:50 PM
Apr 2017

I remember that later in life, Leon used to do gardening on the grounds of Syracuse University. I would always wonder if students there, busy going to classes, ever wondered who this quiet, gentle man was?

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
41. Thank you!
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 07:13 PM
Apr 2017

I think that, just as several of the Founding Fathers looked to the Iroquois in the mid-to-late 1700s for inspiration, now is yet another opportunity for us to revisit those lessons on democracy.

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
43. There are times
Wed Apr 26, 2017, 07:19 PM
Apr 2017

when I wish that Malcolm X were alive today to confront Trump. Oh, that would be such fun!

I'm satisfied to be able to simple place the image of a great leader like Leon up against that of Trump here.

And to keep in mind that both would tell DUers to stop the nonsense, and get busy doing what is important.

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