CRISIS AND LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES

The United States is facing concurrently three major challenges:

Each one of these poses a serious threat but also represents an opportunity for a true leader who can unite the majority of the population to face and fight each of these challenges. However, one can only succeed if they operate on the basis of transparency, facts, policies anchored on equity and fairness, and accountability.

Covid-19 is a virus with no nationality and does not respect borders. It is a global pandemic that requires a global solution. This is not the time to exit out of global institutions like the World Health Organization, rather reform it. As the largest fund contributor, America has leverage. Collective wisdom and brainpower of the world can get us to our target of vaccine sooner than any “America First or America Alone” policy. While we are searching for the ultimate “cure”, there should be no dispute that physical distancing plus masks do reduce the number of possible infections. President Trump should lead by example, not undermine scientific evidence by openly doing the opposite of the best medical recommendations. Science and facts are neither Republican nor Democratic.

The global economic collapse was due to the pandemic but the recovery path will probably be longer and could be much more painful than the virus. While I fully expect a vaccine to be universally available within 12-18 months, the path to the previous economic numbers will surely be longer.

The structure of the economy will be forever changed by the coronavirus. Companies, like all previous recessions, will learn to live with fewer people. Healthcare has already adjusted to a large percentage of patients being processed through telemedicine. Retail will never be the same as online sales have accelerated beyond any forecasts. It will be a long time before overseas vacations and airline travel resume to the level of pre-Covid-19. 

On the upside we will all learn to value our friends, family and relationships. Concurrently we can take steps to keep the environment cleaner and more pristine for the next generation.

Racial inequity and discrimination are the fault lines in the great American experiment. This country was acquired by pushing out the native Indians, built on slave labor, and continuously renewed by different waves and generations of immigrants from every corner of the earth. African Americans are the only ones who were brought to America against their will. It is clear to everyone that the racial divide of African Americans with the rest of America continues to exist.

A simple zip code analysis of predominantly African American neighborhoods with a predominantly white neighborhood will indicate some sharp and jarring facts – compared to the white neighborhood the life span is on the average 10-15 years less, the average income is less than 65% of the average white person, food prices are higher and choices are limited, the crime rate is higher and law enforcement resources are lower.

The status quo is perpetuated by funding based on real estate taxes and enforced by a police force steeped in historical prejudice against the non-white populations. The solution to this complex problem will only start when we begin developing our economic policies focused on neighborhood development, start funding our schools and local government on the basis of population, and law enforcement are de-centralized and becomes the joint responsibility of the police and local community leaders. This will be a long road but the first steps need to be taken now.

The country is desperately looking for inspired and honest leadership blended with a deep compassion for the millions of Americans who are suffering. No one will argue that all lives matter but, under current policies and practices, black lives matter less. It is time that the promise of America is fulfilled for 100% of our population and we live up to the words of our Pledge of Allegiance – “one nation” and “justice for all”.

Author:

Faisal M. Rahman, Ph.D., Professor & Founding Dean

 The Graham School of Management, Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL 6055, USA

E-mail: rahman@sxu.edu

Cell: (312) 533-0452

Content also published with TBT News