Jackson’s plight raises difficult questions about leadership and morality. His situation illustrates the need to acknowledge that our leaders will occasionally disappoint themselves and us. If we demand that they be perfect, we risk disillusionment when their shortcomings surface. The underlying flaw of our unwritten compact with leaders is the desperate need to believe that they must be pure to be effective. The best leaders concede their flawed humanity even as they aspire to lofty goals. This does not mean that we should not hold leaders accountable for their actions. To his credit, Jackson acknowledged his failure, sought the forgiveness of his family and followers, and provided for his infant daughter. He is willing to practice the same moral accountability he preaches. Because Jackson has so prominently urged young people to take the high road of personal responsibility, some conclude that his actions reveal hypocrisy. But it is not hypocritical to fail to achieve the moral standards that one believes are correct. Hypocrisy comes when leaders conjure moral standards that they refuse to apply to themselves and when they do not accept the same consequences they imagine for others who offend moral standards. Michael Eric Dyson
About This Quote

When Jackson was found in his hotel room with an adult woman, he went through the motions of accepting responsibility and apologized for his actions. As he said at the time, "I am truly sorry for what has happened and I truly wish it never would have happened." Jackson also indicated that he would take full responsibility and make amends for his actions. He also said that he would be more careful and respectful of those around him in the future. Jackson is honest about his failings as a leader, even as some believe that his admission is merely a way for him to save face. It can also be argued that there is no place for hypocrisy in such a situation as Jackson's.

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