Quality of Character in the Context of Freedom

The most important leadership characteristic that someone who leads in the context of freedom can have is a belief that everyone is equal. In other words, the leader possesses mutual respect for others and demonstrates this belief by never lording the position of power. The best justification for this choice is that the lack of belief in equality commonly leads to failures of leadership and/or serious compromises to freedom--the very concept for which the leader is fighting. Since the fight for freedom often entails fighting against oppression based on inequality, it would be hypocritical for a leader to not possess a belief that everyone is in fact equal.

Take for example one of the most highly praised political leaders of the Civil Rights Movement as well as one of the student leaders of the Freedom Riders, John Lewis. Respect for equality was at the core of the Freedom Rider's mission considering that they fought for racial equality in Jim Crow-era America. John Lewis, a veteran of the famous sit-ins at lunch counters in Nashville calling for desegregation, was the first Freedom Rider to be assaulted. However, due to his conviction of equality, he never stood down even in the face of violence. He had mutual respect for his followers, whether light-skinned or dark-skinned and managed to lead several successful civil rights protests by inspiring white and black students alike. He embodied a belief that all are equal and in doing so, helped end segregation in America, which is one of the best examples of fighting for freedom in recent history.

This serves as a great contrast to another set of leaders whose mission was built on the belief that an entire population of people was subordinate to all others, the leadership of Ku Klux Klan (KKK). This group was directly opposed to the Freedom Riders and one KKK leader, William Chappell, was even given direct permission from Alabama authorities to lead a strike against the Freedom Riders without fear of arrest. Thus, when a bus like the ones John Lewis rode in pulled up to Chappell's town, he announced the black passengers' arrival and one bus was firebombed (Arsenault 143). However, violent acts such as this eventually led to the fall of the Civil Rights-era KKK because mass press on the event helped uncover the clan's despicable acts and sway popular opinion towards that of the Civil Rights leaders. KKK leadership lacked the belief that everyone is equal, instead, they believed in white supremacy, and this deficit proved to be the group's undoing.

In conclusion, respecting equality is a quality of character that is essential to leaders who fight for freedom. Leaders of the Civil Rights Movement such as John Lewis are prime examples of successful leaders with this characteristic, while stories like that of William Chappell serve as a warning for what can happen when this quality is not found. Fighting for freedom can be a catch-22 if not for a belief in equality because without it, such leaders are likely making the same grave mistakes as the oppressive leaders they are trying to fight against. A leader cannot truly have freedom when it depends on taking it from others and a commitment to equality helps prevent this paradoxical situation.

Work Cited

Arsenault, Raymond. Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice. Oxford University Press, 2006.