QUARANTINE LIFE: THURSDAY THOUGHTS

There are times when you can’t help but wonder how people got their jobs, but it becomes obvious WHY they did. Watching people, who are so grossly unqualified, occupying positions of power and arrogantly judging the merits of others, is stunning and sadly, allowed...and painful to watch.

What’s comical is how brazenly incompetent people demonstrate how much they don’t know, further illustrating how ill-equipped they are to do their jobs. This week has been a testament to the critical nature of voting, education, and integrity in leadership.

Every platform is not designed to elevate or honor. Some people have proven, this week, that they have as much business in a leadership position as a potato. They are neither wise, intelligent, nor tactful. To say that they are childish would be an insult to children. When faced with the competent, even their souls betray them. Their faces do, too, and they morph into angry, insecure idiots lashing out at what they wish they could be. 

It’s critical to acknowledge when you’re out of your league. It takes humility to admit your limitations, and defer, or give credit to those who actually know what they’re doing, and who do it well. Tearing down competency is foolish.

Some people have become wealthy exploiting the insecurity and delusions of others; making them the dispensable faces of organizations, platforms, and entities that have tarnished reputations, destroyed relationships, and ruined lives. 

It is important to know when you’re being celebrated and when you’re being used or ridiculed. A position or title doesn't hide incompetence. It questions the sanity, maturity, and intelligence of those who bestowed it. Some things aren’t good, beneficial, or worthy no matter who defends or promotes them. They simply satisfy a stereotypical narrative or beloved trope. A disservice is done when incompetence, mediocrity, stupidity, or dishonesty is validated. It's refreshing when honor is duly given.

The mere sight of Ketanji Brown Jackson downright frightens racists, sexists, and bigots. She’s not an anomaly, by the way. There are those who’d prefer that the world would have, and maintain a negative view of Black women. It sends them scrambling to find more and more ratchet alternatives to promote and celebrate. Unfortunately, too many women are so desperate to be seen, they sign on, and willingly participate in their own public humiliation. 

Too many platforms are overrun with beat, dressed up, banshees who reveal their ignorance, poor judgment, and lack of discernment and self-worth the minute they open their mouths. 

It’s just my opinion, but no coin or bag is more valuable than self-respect. I hope Judge Jackson inspires young people to embrace education, to realize the importance of intelligence, wisdom, qualifications, integrity, and hard work. (I also hope she signals to young women that they can do a lot more than curse and twerk.)

A gallows is a platform, too. Too many women volunteer to climb aboard because they want to be seen even if it means the destruction of their reputations, families, and futures.

Organizations need leaders, not just people who can be bribed, bought, and manipulated. When unqualified, incompetent people are deliberately placed in leadership roles, an organization is doomed. Instead of endeavoring to become more knowledgeable, poorly placed leaders become arrogant, and any sign of competence makes them insecure and defensive. They exasperate and even chase away those who actually care, and are skillful. Their incompetence will destroy an organization and they will swear that every unwise thing they do or say is to protect those who will bear the responsibility of their blunders. 

Delegating authority is not for the insecure. They’ll shun excellence to their detriment. Competent people of integrity are more valuable to an organization than compliant yes men (or women). 

Opportunistic acts should never be conflated with loyalty, love, or respect. You really DO want people who are going to tell the truth. 

Leaders must stop elevating and defending the ignorant, and then wondering why their own judgment is in question; stop expecting competent people to stick around and take instructions or orders from mediocre, deluded bootlickers; and stop attaching their good names and reputations to junk. Eventually, people will wonder what’s wrong with them if they continue.

A fine choice was made in nominating Judge Jackson. Maybe respect in leadership, and competence is making a comeback. The highest offices in the land can't continue to be the laughingstocks of the world.