A True Leader

Critical thinkers are revered for their display of interesting character. A critical thinker is one who asks “why” every chance they get. The level of interest about them is due to their tranquility in tragedies. This is possible because, critical thinkers achieve individual peace through self-examination. Once the true self is found, the critical thinker can then experience true self-assimilation, where the critical thinker is at peace with “self” as well as in harmony with others. The conflicted characters are very different from critical thinkers. In this world the conflicted characters are people who feel they do not have the tools to do what is necessary in achieving a happy life. And, this makes them not want control over their own lives, because of their fear of making mistakes, because of their fear of making mistakes the conflicted individuals hold back what their true capability. At the same time there are also conflicted individuals who do not want to give up control. Studs Terkel records an interview of C.P. Ellis; an American segregationist turned civil rights activist, and finds himself in a position of power and control in his article, “Why I Quit The Klan.” In this article C.P. Ellis endures criticism. Criticism is made to take power away. Because, it is always an indication of imperfection and sometimes it is an indication of being wrong. But, if one uses criticism constructively, that criticism can actually strengthen one. Joyin Shih faces harsh criticism and conflicting opinions from others about her race, which are inadequate in her mind, in her article, “Chyna and Me.” The false self takes over the true self as a defense mechanism when one submits to society. The false self does this when there is ...

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...f power. A good leader realizes that ultimately his responsibilities are to take care of the people that are being led. A leader who puts forth enough effort to gain acceptance from followers, also wants to expect the same effort from the followers wanting acceptance from their leader. Too much is expected in the authority complex that is why authority should not belong to just one man, but all men accepting responsibilities for their own actions.

Works Cited

Shih, Joyin. “Chyna and Me.” Rereading America. 9th ed. Eds. Gary Colombo, Robert

Cullen, Bonnie Lisle. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. 494-522. Print.

Terkel, Studs. “Why I Quit the Klan.” American Dreams: Lost and Found. Eds. Studs

Terkel, 1980. Web.

Yoshino, Kenji. "Preface" and "The New Civil Rights." Emerging: Contemporary Readings for Writers. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. 479-488. Print.