By: James B. Ewers Jr. Ed. D.
Centuries ago, the famous quote, “power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely is attributed to Lord Ac-ton. He wrote this in 1887, emphasizing the danger of concentrated authority. The quote highlights the potential for power to lead to moral decline, especially when unchecked.”
Well, here we are in 2025 with many saying that power is being uncontrolled and unchecked. I have always thought power in the hands of the wrong person or people could be dangerous.
America, our beloved country, has had its share of great leaders. We can name several of them rather quickly.
They have been good communicators with integrity and high standards.
We, the people, trusted them. Their code of behavior and treatment of other people was at a high level. In other words, they were for the people and not against the people.
Today, as the summer heats up, those in the know say America has lost much of its standing in the world Polls and knowledgeable sources both are opining that intimidation and threats have become commonplace for American leaders. Many local and state officials are simply following the blueprint created in Washington DC.
The United States of America was founded on being the land of the free and the home of the brave.
This verified report says, “When Francis Scott Key wrote the words the land of the free and the home of the brave in 1814, he did so in a poem called The Defense of Fort McHenry. The battle was a decisive one in which Americans truly demonstrated bravery and fought for freedom.
While we are in a new day and time, those from other countries still want America to be their home. All of us should know we have roots from some place else.
Immigration has been a focus of the new group in the White House. Those born in this country, those studying in this country and those working in this country are being subjected to fines, expulsion and jail time.
When immigration officials are wrong, there are no apologies. The tactics used are borderline inhumane.
Recently ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) was in Los Angeles dealing with the immigration problem. Military forces were also deployed.
Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom have spoken out about their tactics.
Mayor Bass said, “This was provoked by the White House.
The reason why we don’t know. You’re not trying to keep anyone safe, you’re trying to cause fear and panic.
Television pictures don’t look good as parts of the city look like they are in turmoil. Governor Newsom said, “Families are being separated. Tear gas and rubber bullets are being used. The president has done this on purpose.”
It is my opinion the new administration has sown seeds of discontent in this country.
It has been a few weeks now since the once favored son, Elon Musk de-parted the White House lawn.
Just a month or so ago, Musk was making nice with the new office holder. How quickly things can change. Mr. Musk was bothered by the fact that the proposed budget cuts weren’t sufficient.
People not eating, students not getting educated and families un-housed simply didn’t matter to him. I suspect his richness doesn’t faze him about the poorest and those marginalized.
The Fulbright Scholarship Program has also drawn the ire of the new administration. As a result, all 12 members of the board overseeing the Fulbright scholarship have resigned because of political interference. It was established almost 80 years ago awarding scholarships both in America and internationally.
We can see that almost every facet of American life has been altered or removed. Some would say this leadership style of alteration and removal has become corrosive and combustible. Where will the next changes and cuts be?
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. Ed. D. is a long- time educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
