A few words from the late mayor of Atlanta, Maynard Jackson

For those of you who don't know who Maynard Jackson is, he was the first African-American mayor of a major Southern city (Atlanta).



A few days ago I watched a segment of the PBS Series, Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Movement, and found something that Maynard Jackson said to be very pertinent in todays social and political climate:

"Being the first black mayor is what you wish on your enemy. I say that with tongue in cheek... a great pride to be mayor of Atlanta. And every black mayor who's been the first black mayor I'm sure has felt the same thing, but it truly is part hell..."

"First of all start with exaggerated black expectations... heaven will come on earth, and it's all because the black mayor's been elected, and things just don't work that way. The obligation that I felt was to try with everything in my power, in every legal and ethical way that I could, to move things as quickly as possible in that direction."

Maynard Jackson

First Black Mayor of a Major Southern City (Atlanta)

Terms: January 1974 – January 1982, January 1990 – January 1994

Source: Episode 13 Eyes on the Prize America's Civil Rights Movement

Upon hearing his statement I could not help but think about our newly elected President, Barack Obama, and the high expectations placed upon him by many blacks. I believe that people ought to stop looking for a savior and save themselves.



As a point of clarification, I am not saying that people should not look to their leaders for guidance, but instead that they should understand that change does not occur based on the will of the leader alone. There are no shortcuts, and people will have to take change into their own hands on an individual basis. Until they do this, the will continue to look for a savior in each promising leader within the community.



I'm interested in reading your thoughts on this one...