To the Editor:
The story of Reverend King inspires me. Just like the rest of us, he was not a flawless example of a man. However, what he did have was a vision. That vision was what gave him the resolve to pursue a more noble goal. The vision that he saw was what the rest of us were able to arm ourselves with from the incoming assaults, but being a follower is a lot less daunting than being a leader.
Was he fearless? Probably not, but fear and doubt are what keeps the rest of us from continuing when the going gets tough. The leader tends to see the new goal he is trying to achieve. The followers are protected by the virtue of our numbers. The leader, on the other hand, is the focal point of the oppressor. He is, in a way, alone.
Great leaders challenge us and make us stronger. When we follow a good example, we should be proud that we rose to the occasion and, at the same time, maintain the humility that we were only able to follow because of that person’s courageous leadership.
Ernie Fazio
Editor’s Note: Mr. Fazio is the chairman of LIMBA (Long Island Metro Business Action).