would want to debate about? Theme #1: What we expect out of our leaders
“Because people want to succeed, not just survive,” states the advertising jingle of a famous
global financial institution. How true is this of the service that Latino leaders perform for their
community? Throughout their terms in office, Latino elected officials and community
organization leaders promise and strive to bring business, factories, jobs better streets, more
public institutions and money to their constituencies. People judge their leaders on question
“what have you done for me lately?” Rarely do leaders challenge the community in the same
way that John F. Kennedy challenged a whole generation of Americans when he stated: “Ask not
what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Should we expect our
leaders to go beyond just “bringing home the pork?” Is it in our best interests that we expect our
leaders (community, social, political and otherwise) to do our problem solving for us? Shouldn’t
we expect our leaders to inspire the virtue and industriousness of the community? Is it the role of
leaders to challenge and motivate Latinos to achieve their human potential? What are the
consequences to the Latino Community of having leaders who focus on the minimum and don’t
inspire members to achieve the maximum? What is the proper role of Latino leaders with
relation to the Community?
“Because people want to succeed, not just survive,” states the advertising jingle of a famous
global financial institution. How true is this of the service that Latino leaders perform for their
community? Throughout their terms in office, Latino elected officials and community
organization leaders promise and strive to bring business, factories, jobs better streets, more
public institutions and money to their constituencies. People judge their leaders on question
“what have you done for me lately?” Rarely do leaders challenge the community in the same
way that John F. Kennedy challenged a whole generation of Americans when he stated: “Ask not
what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Should we expect our
leaders to go beyond just “bringing home the pork?” Is it in our best interests that we expect our
leaders (community, social, political and otherwise) to do our problem solving for us? Shouldn’t
we expect our leaders to inspire the virtue and industriousness of the community? Is it the role of
leaders to challenge and motivate Latinos to achieve their human potential? What are the
consequences to the Latino Community of having leaders who focus on the minimum and don’t
inspire members to achieve the maximum? What is the proper role of Latino leaders with
relation to the Community?