Dear Editor,

Dr. Darien Henry’s gracious concession statement following the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) presidential election is a masterclass in leadership maturity. By stating that the “better candidate won,” Dr. Henry elevated himself, shielded the integrity of the JTA, and set a rare standard for public discourse.

His dignified response immediately recalls the historic night of the 2008 United States presidential election. When Senator John McCain lost to Barack Obama, he delivered a speech so magnanimous it sounded as though he had triumphed. McCain celebrated America’s collective victory, praised Obama’s historic achievement, and lauded the resilience of the African American community.

Like McCain, Dr. Henry proved that losing an election does not mean demeaning the winner or tearing down the institution you sought to lead.

Our national public discourse desperately needs this level of decorum. Too often, political contests degenerate into bitter tribalism and lasting animosity.

Dr. Henry has shown that true leadership is defined by character, not just by titles.
This is certainly not the end for him. Dr. Henry will undoubtedly “wheel and come again” to occupy a significant seat in national leadership. Our country needs more leaders of his caliber who put the institution above individual ambition.

The Mantle of Civility
The arena calls for courage, not for pride,
Where destiny and voter lines divide.
To step into the ring and trace the course,
Demands a strength of deep, internal source.
But those who enter must be well prepared,
To see the vision that they boldly shared,
Fall short of victory when votes are cast,
And watch the crowning moment slip at last.
To lose with grace is leadership refined,
Leaving bitter grievances behind.
A noble heart bows low before the will,
Of people who command the democratic skill.
No venom spat, no broken trusts displayed,
But honor kept in promises they made.
They yield the floor, they shake the victor’s hand,
For peaceful power stabilizes land.
Yet heavier weighs the mantle on the head,
Of him or her whom fortune chose instead.
The victor must not gloat or mock the fallen foe,
Nor let a wave of arrogant disdain grow.
True majesty looks down the crowded aisle,
And greets dissenters with a humble smile.
They owe respect to those who chose another name,
For leadership is service, not a game.
To build a bridge where fractured factions stood,
Requires a dedication to the greater good.
The crown is heavy, meant for everyone,
Not just the tribe by whom the race was won.
Civility commands the final, lasting peace:
Where losers bow, and winners’ triumphs cease
To wallow in the pride of selfish gain,
United now to heal a nation’s pain.
I am,

Garfield L. Angus, Spur Tree P.O., Manchester