“Give Light and People Will Find The Way” Ella Baker
Recently I scheduled an appointment with my eye doctor. Since this would include dilation, I was assured that I would be able to drive home, which was my primary question. As she continued to confirm the time and date, I admit that I tuned the rest of the conversation out …..
Cue the Charlie Brown adult sound …..
The day of the morning appointment, I was reminded that I would be able to drive home. Dilation would make me sensitive to light ….. And extremely nearsighted. Translation: I wouldn’t be able to read fine print for a few hours. She said, “But you already know this from our conversation last week.” My plans would be shifted for the day, and that included preparing for a workshop on Self Care for a young adult conference.
I should have listened …..
Welp ….
The day shifted so I just decided to continue to listen to my audio book - “Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement” Ella Baker has always been one of my sheroes. As I spent the day listening to her story, life and legacy. I realized that this was preparation for the workshop with the young adults this weekend.
"In the midst of temporary blurred vision which shifted plans, I found clarity and focus in the empowering wisdom of Ella Baker's story” Sheila P Spencer
Listening and Empathy: Ella Baker was an attentive listener who genuinely cared about the concerns and ideas of young activists. Her ability to empathize and understand their perspectives created a supportive environment where youth felt heard and valued. She understood the power of presence and creating spaces where their voices were valued and honored. Everyone had a voice regardless of age, gender or background. Ella Baker defied these roles in a movement that was often dominated by men. Yet , here she was in her late fifties and early sixties influencing a generation of young leaders who would continue to be world changers, like John Lewis, Diane Nash, Julian Bond, Joyce Ladner, Kwame Ture (Formelry Stokely Carmichael) and others. Ella Baker embodied the truth that revolution isn’t confined to an age.
Collective Leadership: Ella Baker believed in the power of collective leadership. She saw potential in everyone and encouraged young people to take the lead. As she famously said, "Strong people don't need strong leaders." Her approach emphasized shared decision-making and collaboration, which inspired them to take ownership of their causes and initiatives. This reminds me of a young adult activist’s response to an elder who said that they needed to identify a leader, like who would be the next Martin Luther King, Jr. She replied, “We don’t have one Martin, we have 100 Martins” - this was the power of collective leadership. This meant that the movement would not depend on one person.
Grassroots Organizing: The book shared that Ella Baker was an organic intellectual, due to the fact that her primary base of knowledge came from grassroots community and personal experience , rather than formal study. She believed in the power of relationships. She encouraged young activists to engage with their local communities and build from the ground up. This teaches young people the significance of grassroots movements in creating lasting change.
Ella Baker will always be one of my sheroes. I am grateful for temporary blurred vision that allowed me to focus on listening to her story. It shifted the direction of my presentation and reminded me of the importance of listening and empathy, encouraging collective leadership and nurturing gifts. Saturday turned out to be an amazing experience and self care . Lasting Clarity emerged from Temporary Blurred Vision.
Grateful for Ella’s Light,
Sheila P Spencer