Survival is a common theme in the biographies and autobiographies of great people. Rice's autobiography is no exception. "Extraordinary, Ordinary People" is a story of resilience, determination, and self-belief in the face of overwhelming odds and an uncertain future. Yet, Condi, inoculated with an interesting motto by her father - If you are twice as good as they are, they may not like you, but they have to respect you - not only survived Jim Crow Birmingham, Alabama, but thrived, rose through the ranks, and achieved unimaginable feats. Condi was a full professor and one-time provost at Standford University. She was a National Security Advisor and a Secretary of State in the USA under President George W. Bush.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book for its rich contents and valuable lessons, especially the author's ability to maneuver thorny issues as she climbed the ladder of success. That said. What I found more interesting and worth reflecting on about the book is the affirmation of my long-held belief that "we are not helpless." The odds against black Americans in the segregated South in the forties and fifties were overwhelming. That Condi and other distinguished black professionals were able to rise through the ranks and achieve a lot was a testament to the resilience of the human species. With the right leadership - and here I don't mean only political leadership - we can turn things around for the better. Community leadership is critical.
Two (2) notable observations I made while reading the book were:
1. The judicious use of churches for mobilization, schooling, and value reorientation; and
2. The culture of forming clubs. We already have more than enough mosques and churches. We can convert them into platforms for societal orientation. We are in dire need of honest and hardworking people. The culture of clubbing (in the truest sense of the word) is something I believe can go a long way in fostering unity, understanding, and camaraderie. Clubs are veritable platforms for agenda-setting and advocacy and can be used as pressure groups.
*Adigun Joseph Olalekan*
The Man Behind The Pen
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