Beyond Scapegoating: How Leadership Failures Are the Real Issue

In the last week or so, I have heard and read a lot of chatter about claims that our Haitian neighbors were eating pets. I have watched videos from people who are actually in the supposed area that this is happening. Not only did the Haitians that were interviewed deny these claims, they also laughed at the accusations. I spoke with one of my Haitian constituents about this situation. She laughed and then proceeded to tell me how upset the American Haitian community is right now. Over the weekend, I saw the reports about the threats to the Haitian Community, City Officials, and buildings (including hospitals).

All of this was escalated after a “leader” said that he was told these things were allegedly happening. This blog post is not about debating the man. However, it is about critique and the lack of critical thinking. I addressed this lack of critical thinking in my blog post entitled “The Zombie Effect: Why Being Click-Happy Is Killing Our Critical Thinking.”

Maybe there is something wrong with me. Maybe I view leadership from the wrong aspect. I view it from the standpoint of being a shepherd. Vocabulary.com has the definition that best describes how I view shepherding/pastoring/leading. I will paraphrase. It says a shepherd is one who, “watches over, tends to, keeps together, cares for, takes care of, keeps from wandering, and protects from attack.” When I see leaders who do not follow any of the previously listed qualities/attributes, I question their leadership and how they came to power. I will also resist and challenge their authority by reminding them they have the wrong spirit.

As John Hope Bryant would say, they are not exuding “Love Leadership.” The Spirit of God will NOT allow us to purposefully and consistently ignore and oppress people. Those who allow people like this to ascend to power are not critically thinking of all of the potential consequences of allowing someone to come into power who does not care about the everyday struggles of those who he/she will be leading.

While I do agree with the reports from residents about the infrastructure issues, I view that as a leadership problem not a migrant issue. So, why are we okay with outrageous narratives like the “pet eating” one from Ohio? Is it just easier to blame “the other” for our problems? Are we buying into the age old stereotype about Haitians that we have been taught for centuries? Are we just looking for a scapegoat? When will we start holding leadership accountable for not taking responsibility for what they are neglecting to do?

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.”

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.