Leadership 101 Textbooks: The Black Studies Book: A Black Studies Guide for TeenAgers and Adults and Black Smart. Instructor: Mba Mbulu

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Class #7

The following essays discuss Virtue #2 and Virtue #3. Read each of them carefully and relate them to the following questions.

(1) Is there a difference between Action and activities?

(2) What is Control of Action? Should it be mastered by everyone or just certain individuals?

(3) What does Control of Action rest on?

(4) What is the relationship of Control of Action to Power?

(5) What is the key to Steadfastness of Purpose?

(6) What is the objective of Steadfastness of Purpose?

(7) Why is Steadfastness of Purpose more important to leaders than the masses?

(8) In your opinion, what are "weak ifs, weak ands and weak buts"?

The Black Virtues: Control of Action

[We must determine what We will do and what We will not do.]

We must think of Action in much the same essential way We think of Thought. Control of Action revolves around processes, tendencies and customary manners of conduct. Black People must be the originators of the tendencies, impulses and reactions that occupy Our time, energy and resources. And, Black People must be the makers and assessors of the customs that reflect Our essence, the codes of ethics that guide Us and the manners of conduct that others use to identify Us. Since processes, tendencies and customs, etc., are the generators of a people's day to day activities, the people who Control the Action control the type of day to day activities they participate in.

What does Control of Action rest on. The four most important bases were just discussed. They are (1) Knowledge of Self (2) Unbridled Appreciation of Self (3) Knowledge of Others and (4) Obtaining a fundamental Understanding of the human shortcomings and conflicts that have dominated people, groups and nations.

Yes, these are four of the same bases that define control of Thought. That is because Control of Thought is a predecessor of Control of Action, and Control of Action is a natural pursuit of those who are the makers of their own ideas.

Control of Action is a natural pursuit of those who make their own ideas. Why? Because people who make their own ideas are possessors of Power, and possessors of Power make the world aware of their power by determining what they will do and what they will not do. That is the way Nature planned it. Top

The Black Virtues: Steadfastness of Purpose

[We must establish an objective/objectives and stick with it/them.]

This Virtue recognizes that worthwhile objectives are not easy to accomplish. Therefore, people need to stick to what they resolve to do for as long as it takes to do it.

Steadfastness of Purpose is one of the keys to success. Steadfastness of Purpose is one of the qualities that separate excellence from adequacy and mediocrity. As long as you keep trying, you cannot be defeated. Steadfastness of Purpose is one of the qualities that will not allow people to stop trying.

The key to Steadfastness of Purpose is vision. The objective of Steadfastness of Purpose is to stand the test of Time. Listen to the quote that follows:

"Time is the factor which separates the revolutionaries from the reactionaries. Time reveals who is serious about Nationhood and who is not. Time exposes those of Us who are 'for real' about Our Blackness and segregates those who rant and rave and use Blackness as a platform aimed at relieving their individual frustrations and anxieties. Time, Brothers and Sisters, Time. Time will tell.

"Vision is necessary if We are to stand the test of time. Vision enables Us to peek into the future, to see where We are going, and to prepare for the obstacles which are going to temporarily hold Us back. If We can't see these things (obstacles and victories) beforehand, We will become disenchanted and use any setback as proof of the hopelessness of Our efforts, therefore excusing Ourselves from any further involvement.

"You cant see into the future with your eyes, Brothers and Sisters. You have to use your mind. But your mind must first be developed. Anyone can see from one day to the next, or from one week to the next; but this short vision won't prepare you to deal with a struggle that spans generations. To do this you have to understand, to the core, what has happened and what is happening." (From Black Smart, page 99)

The masses of a people are not likely to be defeated by Time and Vision considerations. That is because (1) the masses are excellent at viewing a struggle in its simplest terms [to the masses, every issue is either "black or white"] and (2) the masses are energy intensive. When the masses reach the boiling point they explode, and they continue to release huge amounts of energy until they are emotionally drained.

Leadership, on the other hand, swims in a pool of complexities, gray areas, ideologies and probabilities. Those who do not possess Steadfastness of Purpose can be too easily swayed and manipulated--- and are not desirable.

We must establish an objective/objectives and stick with it/them. No weak ifs, no weak ands, no weak buts; no changing strokes in the middle of the swim. Are adjustments allowed? Certainly. Are changes in the game plan allowed? Certainly. But adjustments and changes in the game plan do not change the objective. Instead, they increase the chance that the objective will be advanced and achieved.

Adjustments and game plan changes, when necessary, are proof that Steadfastness of Purpose is an attribute a leader possesses. Weak ifs, weak ands and weak buts are proof that Steadfastness of Purpose is missing. Those who are missing Steadfastness of Purpose are not capable of leading.

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