The founder of Men In Action, Outreach Inc., Morris Smith, tends to keep a low profile in his organization. He puts the mentors, leaders, and especially the youth first in everything. While MIA has primarily African American membership, he’s never described it as a club for African Americans only. For the Press Gazette’s first entry for Black History Month, Smith discussed his thoughts on African American leadership, race relations, and the future of the youth in Santa RosaCounty.
Smith noted Black History Month began as a week in 1926 and was established by Carter G Woodson. However, he said he’s not a history person. He said, “I’m not going to celebrate blackness just 28 days…Let’s not put black culture or history in a box…During February we see the same four or five figureheads.” While he said the story of Martin Luther King can potentially inspire youth, focusing on his life overshadows King’s principles.
Smith encouraged a focus on local African American leadership as role models for youth. He said President Barack Obama gave African American youth the confidence to follow their dreams. However, “We’ll see Barak on television but (Milton City Councilwoman) Mary Johnson in Pic and Sav and (Santa Rosa School District Director of Middle Schools) Floyd Smith at the barbershop.”
Morris Smith has a problem with how some speak of these leaders. Of President Obama, he said he often hears white people cut him down more harshly, he feels, than his predecessor without noting any positive actions. At the same time, he said he hears African Americans tear down leaders like Floyd Smith, the former HobbsMiddle School principal now working for the district. He said people refer to him as an “uncle tom” because he’s well spoken, educated, and doesn’t’ conform. “He’s about his business. I see what he’s really doing, the difference he’s making.” He said others in the community should be like Floyd.
While Morris Smith noted there is still prejudice and division between black and white, he said the problem he sees within the black community are “blacks discouraging blacks.” He said they ask, “You think you’re better than me?” He said when people figure out they’re hurting more than helping with this attitude, the community will start to see a change.
Smith said all kinds of people need to take more leadership roles, not just in politics, but inside schools, law enforcement and business. He suggested more Caucasian women should take leadership roles. “When we get different people, we get different ideas,” he said.
Ultimately, he said it comes down to everyone treating people how he or she wants to be treated. He said he sees people treat others poorly for no reason than show up to church Sunday and Wednesday. He said he cares less about denomination and more about this question. “Are you a man of God or not?” He said if people govern themselves as if they believe in a higher power they’ll treat each other better. He added if people treat each other like Christ treated people, then there would be support for all mankind.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Morris Smith talks leadership, community