America’s leadership class is facing a crisis of trust. Little wonder, then, that many civic leaders—business, philanthropic, and political alike—have become all too quiet on the things that matter. Now leading voices such as the former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich are ringing alarm bells. The silence he fears may no longer be a temporary bleep on the radar with dire consequences for democracy. In his new book, “Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America,” Reich argues that the country’s leaders are failing to fulfill their responsibilities in a time when strong voices are needed.
Reich laments that university presidents used to be outspoken advocates at times of crisis, as during the Vietnam War. When that happens, they are scared to raise the alarm. He points out that these leaders often used their platforms to call the nation back to its moral core. Today’s university presidents, she claims, seem “cowed,” too often shying away from speaking up on these critical societal issues. This development is a dramatic shift away from their traditional function as national pedagogues and arbiters of conscience.
The current landscape is made even murkier by heavy hitters from the corporate world such as business titan, Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase. Beyond this quarrel, Dimon has positioned himself as the self-appointed spokesman for American business, counseling CEOs to remember their social responsibilities. He champions the cause of corporate accountability. Too often, those in the private sector are reluctant to confront the pressing challenges that their cities and towns face today.
Politically, the momentum is being carried by leaders such as Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader. On these core environmental justice issues, they are opting to sidestep the main point altogether. Schumer’s decision not to support Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor is indicative of a fear among some long-time leaders. They are afraid to fund disruptive candidates challenging the status quo. This reluctance is echoed by a young woman college president who remarked, “University presidents have no business speaking out on public issues,” illustrating a pervasive mindset among current leaders.
Reich’s reflections are a welcome reminder to all of us to consider the broader impact of this leadership vacuum. And he makes a case that history shows us that it’s the individuals lacking an official title that are wielding real change. Leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela won justice because of their courage and conviction. Their legacies remind us of the difference that moral leadership can make in times of crisis.
The new political reality has created a dangerous environment and a delusionary mindset for many.
Zombies versus wimps
In their mind’s eye, most Republicans are “zombies” and most Democrats are “wimps.” This characterization reflects a frustration with leaders who seem unable or unwilling to take decisive action for the betterment of society.
As America faces all of these crises at the same time, the need for this transformative leadership has never been more urgent. People from every sector need to come together and take action today. They must retake the mantle of protecting democracy and addressing the critical challenges our country is up against.