Jeh Johnson, the former Homeland Security chief, was asked by Liberty University officials to deliver a message their students “need to hear”
,” from which he drew inspiration as an undergrad at Morehouse College in Atlanta. “It was just a really interesting exercise, you know, crossing the bridge,” Johnson told me. “There was nothing overtly political about the whole visit.
” Except, of course, there was, especially right now. And so Friday at Liberty here’s what they’ll hear. “For me,” Johnson will say, “today marks a day of life and death: 9/11 happens to be my birthday: September 11, 1957, to be exact. It is also a day of great tragedy: September 11, 2001 … but out of that day we saw great acts of courage, selflessness, heroism and leadership.” Jeh Johnson's great grandfather, who is seated in the front with his hat in his hand, poses with his church in Bristol. | Courtesy of Jeh Johnson He will say, “Whether you are a pastor, a plant manager, a sales team leader, a police or fire chief, a university president, a commander of soldiers in combat, a mayor, a governor, or a president, it is a sad state of affairs today that the public has come to expect little of our political leaders when it comes to character and morality.” He will say, “Too often politicians pay no price for a lie, or even a crime. Instead, we conveniently overlook the bad behavior by saying, ‘But I like his policies.’ Or, ‘The economy is doing great.’” He will say, “Ask any military commander who has led people into battle, and they will tell you that in times of great stress, the poor character of a leader will have a corrosive effect on an entire unit. Character, integrity and morality do matter.” He will list five traits of a good leader. Tell the truth. Build consensus. Be inclusive. “Never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.” And that Golden Rule. And he will say, “Particularly at this time of heightened racial tension in this country, respect differences among people you meet—cultural, racial, religious, ethnic and political. Recognize that diversity is the opportunity to learn and expand your own horizons. Disrespect for those who are different reflects a small heart and a closed mind.”lately about our political environment, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try,” he said. “We’re not going to get anywhere unless someone in one camp is willing to pick up his duffel bag and wander into the other camp and bring to that other camp a message they don’t normally hear.” “What Mr. Johnson was speaking on is something that really cuts to the core,” said Lopiano, the law student, who did his undergrad at the University of South Carolina. “Americans don’t really want to listen to anyone. We kind of just want to prove each other wrong, and that might be a majority of people, and that might be a minority of people, but a lot of people just kind of want to pick a color and cheer. And so having someone from the Obama administration come and talk on leadership …”“I am hopeful,” he told me. “I am hopeful that as we move even past this election cycle we might reach a tipping point where people will say, ‘You know what? I’m tired of this level of polarization. I’m tired of this level of distrust.’ And democracy works by demanding better.”
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