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When I left the stage after giving the keynote address to the 43rd World Youth Rally in Seoul on July 22, I was cheered like a conquering hero. There was so much love and admiration for me that, more than a week later, some of them may still be cheering.
I wish that I could give myself all the credit, but I learned valuable lessons from many mentors over the years. One person who stands out is Howard Fuller. Back in the 1960s, he was called "the most dangerous black man" by the governor of North Carolina. He later went to Africa to meet with rebels, started Malcolm X University, and got involved in many street protests.
In addition to being an activist who is the same person whether he is in the streets or the suites, he has held a number of prominent positions, been an adviser to U.S. presidents on education issues, and is the author of "No Struggle, No Progress: A Warrior's Life from Black Power to Education Reform."
For six years, I was on the board of directors of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), which Fuller founded almost 20 years ago. People who work with me don't know that I stole some great lines from Fuller.
One: "If you are planning a meeting for 100 people, but only three people show up, then you've got three people to work with." I first heard him say this when a staffer complained about the number of people who had shown up at a local chapter meeting.
Activists lament when millions of people sign petitions disputing the results of a figure skating competition, but only a handful of people show up for a social cause. Instead of complaining about who wasn't there, Fuller would say: Tell me what you accomplished with the people who did show up.
Two: "Don't debate what others are doing. Tell me what you are doing." Now that I'm running my own organization, I can really relate to this. "Wow, that's great, you are helping North Korean refugees learn English," so many people tell me. Then they continue, "But why don't you also (fill-in-the-blank)."
I promise them that I won't stop them from doing what they recommended for me, but when I check back later, they are still all talk, no action. As 19th century abolitionist Frederick Douglass would say: "They compliment me in assuming that I should perform greater deeds than themselves."
Three: "Stay focused on your mission." Back during the 2004 U.S. presidential election, a few of us were discussing presidential candidates George W. Bush and John Kerry. Fuller walked by, heard what we were talking about, then ordered us to stop.
He said: "We've got black Republicans, black Democrats, black libertarians, black socialists, black nationalists here. If we start debating about the election, then some of you will get mad at each other about that, and you will forget the main reason we came here: To increase education options."
Remembering that, I'm quick to cut off discussions about a host of issues that are unrelated to North Korean refugees and people who want to debate theory when work needs to be done.
Four: "Everybody bring somebody." This is a reminder that as someone who joins a cause that you also need to be a recruiter. Yes, it is great that you show up, but by bringing someone else, you help the cause grow bigger and bring new energy and ideas. Those three people who show up can become six.
Sometimes volunteers tell me that they would like to make a small donation to our activities. I suggest that they engage in fundraising. Not only will we raise more money, but more people will be informed about what we are doing.
Five: "Mr. Say ain't nothing, Mr. Do is the man." This is one that I always remember. It is amazing that some people can talk forever without actually doing anything, as they apparently confuse talk with being real action.
Over the years, Fuller has been denounced as a conservative, socialist, black nationalist, sellout, etc. I remember that when I read the latest conspiracy theory online about me being with the CIA, NIS, U.S. State Department, or a libertarian conspiracy to destroy North Korea. As Fuller would say: "Let 'em talk. Just keep doing your work."
After I exited the stage last week, one of the attendees at the World Youth Rally said she felt like I was already a mentor for her. Then a few more said the same thing.
I'm sure that Fuller never thought that his practical wisdom would have an impact on me as I tried to organize people in South Korea to help North Korean refugees or that I would be hailed as a hero with some lessons I learned from him.
Casey Lartigue Jr. (CJL@alumni.harvard.edu) is co-founder of the Teach North Korean Refugees Global Education Center (TNKR) in Seoul. He blogs at "Voices from the North."
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