THE SENTINEL: Abraham Lincoln: Leadership for America’s Turbulent Times

These are indeed turbulent times throughout America.

Aside from the catastrophic coronavirus, which has now claimed over 470,000 lives, we have numerous sobering concerns.

Each would be challenging on its own, but combined, they call us to a moral reckoning as did our Civil War, the Great Depression, World War II, and the turbulence of the 1960’s.

In my opinion, our current difficulties which compound the coronavirus, are our political divisiveness, misinformation, white supremacy, economic hardships, racial tensions, violent extremism, and the need for police-community unity.

These challenges are not disappearing anytime soon and demand visionary leadership and moral courage.

Each of these issues demand a fully dedicated effort. But for the purpose of this article, let us view a snapshot of two, ideologically-motivated violent extremism and misinformation.

Violent Extremists and Misinformation

On Jan. 27, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin.

The bulletin warned that due to a heightened threat environment across America, “ideologically motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority .. and other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence.”

America, “land of the free, and home of the brave,” how do we proceed with such an alarming warning and our numerous challenges?

We must turn to a legendary icon of character from history, to inspire moral courage and confidence to reawaken the nation.

Abraham Lincoln: Icon of Moral Courage

Today, as I complete this article, it is Feb. 12, the date of Abraham Lincoln’s birth in 1809.

We must pause and let his character, ethics and leadership reignite America, through each of us.

Lincoln holds a place in my life since my childhood, when his portrait hang in my room. My appreciation for him continued by referencing him through my professional career in presentations, articles, and books.

In these efforts, the leadership qualities of Lincoln which I spotlighted as inspiration for America include the following:

· Leadership must be open to silence, study, and self-containment

· Leadership possesses extraordinary empathy and concern for others

· Leadership must be grounded in moral self-confidence developed by understanding through study and hard work

· The foundation of authentic leadership is moral character

· Leadership realizes that some things that are right legally are not right morally

· Leadership honors military service, and especially those who offered the ultimate sacrifice

· Leadership is approachable and not confined to an ivory tower

· Leadership utilizes the power of persuasion with character, humility and respect as its pillars, not the manipulation of aggressiveness

· Leadership masters the art of communication and public speaking

· Leadership expresses visionary principles which are constantly reaffirmed by the power of good example

Abraham Lincoln: An Enduring Icon of Leadership

Americans of all ages continue to be captivated by Lincoln as I have observed with presentations to students, educators, the military, and law enforcement nationwide.

During these presentations, I have been continually impressed by the detailed familiarity America has on the life of Lincoln.

This includes specific dates from his life, the Civil War, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, his inaugurals, and his assassination at Ford's Theater in Washington, DC on April 14, 1865.

During one character education presentation, students from a 3rd grade class quoted with impeccable precision Lincoln's words from his Gettysburg Address on November 19, 1863:

"that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

Final Reflections

In our troubled times, besieged by grave hardships testing the moral fiber of America, Abraham Lincoln remains an icon of unwavering dedication to country.

From his youth, studying by the fireside, to his rise to the presidency, the character of Lincoln is worthy of emulation.

His moral courage, humility, and perseverance with great adversity are essential for our resolve to conquering our challenges.

If only the character of Abraham Lincoln were truly taken to heart by those in authority, American life would be transformed.

Let us conclude with words of Lincoln during his second inaugural, just as critical to America now as they were on Mar. 4, 1865:

“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

About the Author

Vincent J. Bove, CPP, is a national speaker and author on issues critical to America with 275 published works. Bove is recipient of the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award and former confident of the New York Yankees. He served as spokesperson for a coalition of Virginia Tech tragedy families of victims. His most recent books are Reawakening America and Listen To Their Cries. For more information see www.vincentbove.com or twitter@vincentjbove

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