I found such learning in Baldwin’s words, and especially in Evidence of Things Not Seen. I also had to learn what it means to stand up to the institutions built to protect these forces. I had to learn what it means to stand up to the litany of historical and political forces seeking to crush Black life. Or, perhaps unwittingly, we may perpetuate white supremacy by harming other Black people. Trauma, if we are not careful, may cause us to engage in coping behaviors that neither affirm nor empower us. Bearing witness is a continual and direct confrontation with trauma: the trauma of experiencing anti-Black racism, both interpersonal and institutional the trauma of experiencing or witnessing racial violence in its many forms, from dehumanizing language to the carceral state. I wanted to understand how to confront the horrific and the cruel as a Black leader, but I also wanted to understand what it means to bear witness. I started by reading Baldwin’s The Evidence of Things Not Seen, his book-length essay about the Atlanta child murders. Who could better teach me about constructing and deconstructing narratives, and shattering myths, than two of the greatest literary figures of all time? Shifting narratives is not only the work of great writers, but also the work of great leaders. The focus of my organization-centering Black gay, bisexual, and queer men and shifting narratives-required, I felt, an appreciation for how stories and narratives are constructed. But this time, while reading their essays and books, I also began to wonder what they could teach me about leadership. I decided it was time to return to their work. Reading Baldwin and Morrison felt like visiting two old friends, or teachers, and whenever I read their works over the years, I always felt joy. I longed to return to James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, to connect me to my faith in myself and ground me in a greater sense of purpose. I also revisited biographies of prominent US political leaders in government: Robert Caro’s biography of President Lyndon Johnson, and a few books on the Kennedy brothers.Īs I searched the pages of these books for inspiration and guidance-if not affirmation-I found myself desiring stories that would incite my imagination. I read books like Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t and Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies. But I pivoted to books focused on leadership and management for perspective, if not inspiration. At the time, I was rereading the words of James Baldwin and Toni Morrison. When I founded my nonprofit organization, the Counter Narrative Project (CNP), nearly eight years ago, I searched for information about leadership I’ve always been a voracious reader, and when faced with a challenge I try to learn as much as possible.
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