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EMPOWERING THOSE IN POWER
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
Power enervates and makes possible limitless things.
Those in power enjoy prestige, fame, untold wealth potentials, respect. Being a selfless individual with a spirit
to help others is monumental, but being installed into power carries with it many fringe benefits: you’ll get
ahead in unbelievable long lines, be given a seat and even a cup of coffee, too. That’s the reason that’s most
often used by those who justify why they aspire to become political officials. Being good and generous is simply
not enough; they’ve got to have authority to wield, too.
When we were children, classroom elections were always about who were the most popular, the most
intelligent, the most well-liked. Those who became sergeant-at-arms were often the big, burly ones, those who
could inspire a sliver of fear just by a look or a stern voice. But those who got voted as president had to be at
the top of the class, at least, or had shown leadership qualities. In our very young minds, we had already had
our earliest concepts of power and responsibility.
Power and responsibility are elements that ideally go hand in hand. With great power comes great
responsibility. One can not escape responsibility for their decisions when they are entrusted with power over
others. Those in power are inherently responsible for their decisions and actions. Power should never be
misconstrued as something to be used to fool people or muddy up perspectives in the manner one prefers.
This is not one of those “limitless things” mentioned in the first statement. You can fool some people some of
the time, you can fool some people most of the time, but you can never fool all people all the time. Power rests
in those that empower you, and politicians have to be strongly mindful of this fact. They need to be reminded
that their power is a gift, not a privilege. They have been entrusted with a higher purpose, not handed a cake
on a silver platter.
Those that fail to seek this nobler purpose while they are in power are not fit to rule. They do not give justice
to the word POWER at all. Being in power enables them to do greater things to even more people, enervates
them to perform above and beyond their call of duty, and makes possible the unhampered delivery of what
makes them the best of what they are.
Hopefully, the best of what they are is not being troublemakers, warmongers or absolute grafters and
plunderers. Hopefully, the power that they are given by the people does not find an outlet in the darkest facets
of their personality and humanity. Hopefully, power courses through their veins to their hearts and not the
monkeys in their brains.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.
What has been your personal experience of power? Elaborate on your answer.
2.
Is there a particular powerful person you abhor or hate so much? Talk about this specific person in class.
3.
Why is it difficult to stay honest while holding a political office?
4.
What are your personal beliefs of power and people in power?
5.
How can a person in power keep his perspectives clear and honest?