Old Men Talking: On Hyphenated RelationshipsMike was the quiet one of these old men. On the days when he was “running the show” they called him “Mikey,” and although he would protest … he liked it. Mike had never graduated from high school, and his five children were not allowed to fail where he thought he had. He had been driving a county trash truck for most of his adult life. For four decades he had come home from work smelling of humanity’s waste. He treated it as great fun when his young children would hold their noses and run away from him. He’d chase them, grab them, and pull them close so they could get a real good “whiff” of his work. But as his kids grew older, they came to understand what the smell meant … their "father" was providing for them. From their "dad," though, they learned that it isn’t the job that matters so much as how well you do the job. Mike's work "handle" in these meetings was "trash man." Select the image or the link below to read the full article.
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A Book Review of Booker T. Washington's "Character Building."Character Building by Booker T. Washington was published in 1902. This is one review from the southern city of Richmond, Virginia. “Many of this eminent negro leader’s friends think that the best literary work that he has done is the Sunday-Evening talks to the students of Tuskegee Institute, which he is in the habit of making when he is home. He throws into this work his whole moral nature, and many of these addresses rise to eloquence. They are all earnest and show the constructive quality of his mind. … “There is plenty of good sense in the book, and admonition, that, if heeded, would place the black race above the white. Indeed, there is sound advice in it for the reading of white men as well as black.” The Richmond Virginia Times, August 31, 1902 Select the image or the link below to read the book review of Booker Washington's "Character Building." Booker T. Washington's Thoughts on the Purpose of an Education."I want you to get it firmly fixed in your minds that books, industries, or tools of any character, no matter how thoroughly you master them, do not within themselves constitute education. Committing to memory pages of written matter, or becoming deft in the handling of tools, is not the supreme thing at which education aims. Books, tools, and industries are but the means to fit you for something that is higher and better. All these are not ends within themselves; they are simply means. "The end of all education, whether of head or hand or heart, is to make an individual good, to make him useful, to make him powerful; is to give him goodness, usefulness and power in order that he may exert a helpful influence upon his fellows." Booker T. Washington, Building Character, 1902 Words of wisdom such as these from Mr. Washington cross racial boundaries through their intelligence, insight, selflessness, and concern for all mankind. Such words are inspirations and the foundations upon which to build a hopeful society—a truly educated society. Peter E. Greulich
Booker T. Washington on Balancing a Willing Heart and a Strong Mind."If there is one person more than another who is to be pitied, it is the individual who is all heart and no head. You will see numbers of persons going through the world whose hearts are full of good things—running over with the wish to do some thing to make somebody better, or the desire to make somebody happier—but they have made the sad mistake of being absolutely without development of mind to go with this willingness of heart. "We want development of mind and we want strengthening of the mind." Booker T. Washington, Character Building, 1902 This short paragraph by Booker T. Washington reminds me of the old adage about, "Give a hungry man a fish and you feed him for but a day; teach a hungry man 'how to fish' and you feed him and his family for a lifetime." In both of these cases there is heart involved, but in the latter case there is not only a "willingness of heart" but a "development and strengthening of mind" in the understanding of human nature. We have to find the balance to our compassion for our fellow human beings: Letting strong minds guide our hearts in doing what is best for each individual. Peter E. Greulich Teddy Roosevelt sought a balance between heart and mind in his articles on socialism. Select the image or the link below to read Teddy Roosevelt's articles. Reuniting America Through Character, Responsibility, and Good Behaviour."Unity does not come from laws or charters or treaties. These merely record agreement in thinking, purpose, and action. Unity comes from within the people or it does not exist. Character and good behavior are the foundation of unity." Thomas J. Watson Sr., "Unity," THINK Magazine, June 1946 When was the last time we heard a presidential candidate talk about the need for individual character, individual good behavior and accepting personal responsibility for an individual's actions? Shouldn't our presidential candidates set the example for such important traits? Is this why those who exhibit such irresponsible actions make us feel so divided as a country . . . when they, themselves, exhibit so little character, good behavior, and responsibility . . . whether in our leadership positions . . . or out on our streets? To men and women of character, the means by which we achieve an end matters. We can make "unity" exist again: through character, good behavior, and responsibility. Peter E. Greulich
Thomas J. Watson Sr. Writes about "Where Leaders Get Their Strength.""The true leader of a nation, a private enterprise or a family realizes that the success of his leadership is dependent upon the growth and development of those whom he leads. ... The real leader is an assistant first. He is zealous in his effort to give his associates the best that is in him. By example and through education he builds men. ... "The stronger the individual in any group has an opportunity to become, and the more fully the individual is able to develop his character, the stronger the leader of that group will become. Leaders draw strength from those whom they lead." Thomas J. Watson Sr., "Service," THINK Magazine, June 1937
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Peter E. GreulichPeter E. has been studying IBM and early American corporate history since his retirement in 2011. These are his thoughts and musings, and of those whose biographies and autobiographies he has read with links to articles and book reviews on this website. Contact the author directly.
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