Choose Service Over Self Interest

Trawally believes servant leadership
is the way forward

Members of the Liberian Mandingo community, both at home and abroad—especially those residing in the United States, have been urged to take a break from back-biting that a crab mentality fosters:  ‘if it is not me, it can’t be anyone else’---forging, instead, a united front by striving to foster the growth and development of their community, as opposed to pushing individual agendas.

The president of the Federation of Liberian Mandingo Associations in the USA (FELMAUSA), expects that his kinsmen will shelf their differences and consolidate their strengths “by working together without distractions and [remaining] focused” on doing those things that would best serve the common good of the community as a whole.

Mr. Bangalee Trawally believes the crab mentality of “if I can’t have it, neither can you” will eventually prevent any potential success of the Mandingo community; ensuring a rather collective demise. However, he is also of the strongest conviction that by subscribing to being a servant, rendering selfless services in the interest of the community, “rather than fighting for [individual] positions and titles”, will help to a greater extent in moving the community forward.

Serving as guest speaker at a program marking the official induction into office of Mr. Vakaba Sesay, president of the Arizona Mandingo Association, Mr. Trawally said he always feels heavy-hearted “knowing that all is not [well] in my community, both internally and externally.”

He revealed the root of this heavy-heartedness as being a “prolonged power struggle” that seems deeply-embedded within the community. And this power struggle, according to him, has the propensity of destroying the fabrics of this “struggling community of ours; [simply] because we have refused to look at the big picture—the Mandingo marginalization.”

In his five-page speech, the FELMAUSA president further informed his audience that, sadly, this power struggle is gradually becoming the order of the day among his fellow compatriots; noting that he, on the other hand, sees no point in wasting time and energy scuffling or tussling over power when anybody, for that matter, can be a leader.

All it takes, he continued, is a demonstrated effort to serve—the willingness and determination to roll-up your shelves to serve; as opposed to paying too much attention to “big titles” such as "president or chairman".

It is his believe that a unified Mandingo community has the potential of reversing perceptions, with regards who a productive citizen is, within the Liberian context. This is why he stressed the need for servant leadership among his people:

“We can [achieve] this by working together as servants; focused [more] on doing [those things that are] meaningful to our community. One doesn’t need to be called president or chairman before he/she can contribute to the transformation of his/her society. Let’s be flexible with one another. The ‘my way or no way’ syndrome will [take] us nowhere. Let’s be change agents [in an effort] to empower our people. Let’s use our talents wisely.”

“Some of us,” he believes, “are weak and can fall for anything. This is why we have somewhat failed to help our people. We let our personal interest supersede our community interest. We can do anything for money and this hurts me a whole lot.”

FELMAUSA president Trawally spoke on the theme: “Servant-ship Over Leadership for Mandingo Unity and Transformation”. He addressed scores of dignitaries drawn from all walks of the Mandingo community at Saturday’s event (June 14, 2014).

It may be recalled that Mr. Vakaba Sesay’s induction into office was previously scheduled for January 4, 2014. However, that plan did not materialize due to the ailment and subsequent passing of his mother, which sad event occurred on January 21, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona.