True Leadership and Wisdom – Go Obama! 2


The speech Presidential candidate Barack Obama gave on March 18, 2008, was one of the best and most honest analyses of race I’ve ever heard.  I was inspired by his wisdom, surprised at his candor, and impressed with his integrity.


This speech showed the type of leader Obama will be – one who lifts, leads and inspires.  I appreciate his keen intelligence and applaud his self-revelation.  We need someone of his caliber leading our nation.  He gave honest appraisals.  He didn’t let either whites or blacks off the hook, but also didn’t keep us on the hook!


He does not disown his past but chooses not to be burdened by it.  As one who veers between light cynicism and deep cynicism, I found his words cleansing.  They point towards a new path to healing racial division and preparing for this scary new world that will require all of us to work together to survive and ultimately triumph in.


Obama is a sterling example of the best of humanity. He is striving to be more and exhorts the rest of us to to be our best selves.   I dig him.  Right on!  President Obama.  Trying it on for size.  I’m going to practice saying it.


About Candelaria Silva

Candelaria Silva-Collins is a marketing, community outreach and programming consultant; writer; and trainer/facilitator who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. She has designed and facilitated workshops on a wide variety of topics including communication, facilitation, job search skills, team building, and parenting issues. She currently coordinates the Community Membership Program of the Huntington Theatre Company. Her work as Director of ACT Roxbury was profiled in several publications, including The Creative Communities Builders Handbook. Candelaria’s children’s stories, short stories, essays and reviews have been published in local and national publications and she is an active blogger. Her publications include the booklets, Handling Rejection; Pushing through Shyness: Networking Tips when You’re Shy, Slow to Warm Up or Just don’t Feel you Belong; and Real Questions about Sex & Relationships for Teens: A Discussion Guide for Parents. She has served on the boards of Goddard College, Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston Foundation for Architecture, and Discover Roxbury. She is currently Chair, Designators of the Henderson Foundation.

2 thoughts on “True Leadership and Wisdom – Go Obama!

  • N Colon

    Thank you Candelaria for taking time from your busy schedule to provide me an opportunity to see that there’s more to life, than just my life.
    You’re right we need a new leader that can be truthful about the disparities in life, but not dwell in them. And I agree with you; it’s trying times for this world we live in, and someone like Obama,with the help of all of us, can become a true leader.

  • Candelaria

    I hear you loud and clear, Jim. All the things that make up Obama inform who he is.

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