95 Piccadilly – Manu. 23, 25
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By Shane Gilreath
In what seems a century ago, a wonky 7th grade student, yours truly, wrote a play that’s plot revolved around a fictitious meeting of the leading political figures of the mid-19th Century. In some ways, it was a meeting of great minds discussing a bygone conclusion. It was the kind of meeting that real leaders, void of ego, seek before acting decisively. It was the kind of meeting that I’d suggest historic figures, like Anne Boleyn, for instance, would have liked with her husband – if for nothing else, to plead her case – before he cut off her head. History, being the product of mere mortals, doesn’t always go so smoothly. Not for Anne Boleyn or for us. I suppose for those in leadership, loyalty depends on circumstances, personal ego, and what each view as important factors: a greater good, a brighter future, human life and livelihood, or in Henry VIII’s case, maniacally forging ahead with a new marriage and, in his mind, safeguarding his throne. That was Henry VIII for you, even if history proved him wrong. Sadly, I fear that brand of egotism is common in the modern world. Many people in leadership, big and small, have a knack for inflating their own importance, greedily manipulating for their own good, and seeking to maintain a prestige of power, and, in doing so, forget the importance of unity, friendship, and individualism. This week, Americans inaugurated a new president; a time of great celebration for many around the world. In choosing that president (and in choosing them in the future), I hope that voters keep this in mind: people flourish when they unite and divisiveness weakens foundations. The best leaders – the ones we remember – lift people up, rather than derogate and furtively speak ill of one another. Despite the reflection of modern culture, it’s not conducive to call people names that would get you sent to timeout in a kindergarten class. Such behavior is the antithesis of unifying leadership. Starting fires that burn other people, in the end, only serves to catch our own house on fire. Doing the right thing should always trump ego, be they in Washington or in small towns anywhere in the world. When I was writing that 7th grade play, I was a young boy enamored with history and politics, raised on the idea of noblesse oblige, full of respect and belief. Today, even writing this in January 2025, I can’t help but think about what I would tell that kid – a kid whose grandfather said serve and respect people, regardless of their politics. Looking back, that kid was so hopeful and naive. He thought Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher were anointed. He wrote in his School Days book that he wanted to be a police officer and President of the United States. Little did he know that they could be hated and crowds could chant and cheer against them; that in America, people could be hated for doing what is right – that the idea of what is right would be so divisive. That a popular singer could be maligned for singing “America the Beautiful”…in America. That the battles and travails that once seemed so far away, as he sat watching morning news shows with his grandparents, would one day erupt in his own backyard. And, I think: what should we tell our kids? Perhaps that young boy is still naive, because I hope – as in any new beginning – we can tell them that tomorrow is renewed – that liberty will once again be the beacon of light, that America will be, as Reagan said, a bright shining city on a hill. That, at least, is my hope.