78-Year Old Retired Pastor Gives His Perspectives on Black Leadership Today

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Black Like Moi

I received an email message from an older gentleman, Mr. Gilbert Caldwell.  Mr. Caldwell had a perspective on the divisions that have occurred in “black leadership” during the age of Obama.  I thought Mr. Caldwell’s point of view was interesting enough to share with our readers.

 

Dr. Watkins, great television presence this evening on CNN. I wish you could give these words to Black Leaders some exposure. I, at the age of 78, allow my writing to express my long commitment to justice and equality for black people and all people.

A bit of my biography, born in North Carolina; College N.C. A & T State University/Greensboro, Seminary, Boston University School of Theology where I met Martin Luther King in 1958. Participated in Mississippi Freedom Summer, Selma to Montgermery March, March on Washington, March on the Boston School Committee (presided at the rally on Boston Common where he spoke in 1985).Arrrested with NY Operation Breadbasket with Jesse Jackson in a demonstration against A & P stores at their headdquarters in NYC/1971,. arrested picketing the South African Embassy in 1985. And, led a bus load of black men from Harlem and my Church, St. Marks United Methodist Church, to the Million March. I look forward to hearing from you. Rev. Gilbert H. Caldwell, Asbury Park, NJ

 

To: The Nation’s Black Leaders

 

My Text: “When Elephants Fight, Only The Grass Suffers”

My Hope: That the life and death of Trayvon Martin will evoke unity (not uniformity) among you. 

One of the observations that many of us have made is that during the presidency of Barack Obama, the nations first black president, the understandable differences among Black leaders, in some instances, have become public in ways that could be harmful, not

helpful.

 

Years ago I first heard “my text” described as an African Proverb. It conveys the idea that as elephants engage in combat, they experience little damage themselves, but the grass beneath them on which they fight, is harmed. I define “grass” as being more than a description of those of us throughout the world, whose history has been negatively shaped by the biblical “Noah’s Curse”.The “grass” is much more than the flimsy and unscientific definitions of race that are socially constructed. Of course black persons throughout the world are harmed when black leaders are unable to disagree, agreeably. But, ALL of humanity suffers when those who lead allow differences, present and past, to limit their leadership. Leadership to be effective is best when it is “blended” leadership. “Blending” cannot occur when those who lead, find it difficult to come together with their distinctive attributes and allow “the troubles of the world” (The Spiritual) to mix/blend their unique personalities and gifts for the greater good.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu in his response to the death of Trayvon Martin concludes with these words addressed to all of the USA; “May you realise that you realy are all members of one family; black, white, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, lesbian, transsexual, gay, bisexual, and so-called sraight, all belonging together in the bundle of life.”

Archbishop Tutu’s words are appropriate for those of us within the community of African descent and beyond that community. The 21st century calls us to understand these words written years ago; “New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth.” (James Russell Lowell). The totality of the human family is challenged to respond to the killing of Trayvon Martin. This “new occasion” (The 21st century), will not be effectively transformed by a “re-birthing” of the old race-based assumptions, responses, politics, strategies, and tactics, nor a replication of the leadership styles of the past. Once, (maybe still today), the Congressional Black Caucus had this as its slogan: “We have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, just permanent interests.”

 

The death of Trayvon Martin with all of its reminders of the long ago, that is not really so long ago, calls forth Black Leaders and all Leaders, to lead in ways that those of us who follow their leadership will not be harmed as they disagree, as is the grass beneath the elephants who fight. The “permanent interests” of this time; justice, equality, opportunity, economic and educational parity and peace not war, all and more are so pressing that solidarity, not separation among leaders and all of us, is essential.

Years ago an old “preacher-mentor of mine said “Gil, I begin every sermon with these words; ‘I’m just a nobody, telling everybody, about somebody, who can save (liberate) anybody.’” That “somebody” of course is Jesus. I am an unknown “nobody” to the leaders whom I hope will read and consider this epistle. My prayerful hope is that you who receive “blind copies” of this will forward it to leaders whose e-mail addresses you have. And/or, you will forward it to persons who have access to leaders whose addresses neither you nor I have. Thank you!

 

Gilbert H. Caldwell

A retired African American United Methodist Minister

Asbury Park, New Jersey