“A leader cannot be a papaya tree, that when it is knocked down, it is unable to grow back up and bear fruits. A leader should be like a banana tree instead. Once it grows, produces, and gets knocked down, shoots will grow back up after it and continue life.” Timuey Jo likened his leadership to a banana tree. Once it has peaked, it is almost certain that the younger generation will carry on, carry better. The culture and tradition that we practice is not made-up by its current leaders nor their predecessors. It has been practiced since time immemorial, and passed on through generations. As a tribal leader, one realization Timuey Jo had is the need to adapt to the current times. Our initiatives must be relevant while not veering away from our practices.
As I showed the photos to Timuey Jo, I noticed his eagerness to see through my lens. He emphasized that our conversations with people build trust, empathy, and a common ground. His tactics, when confronted by opposing sides, helped me realize that any campaign for systemic change cannot be fast-tracked. It is essential that we slow down, tell our stories, empathize, and understand each other better.
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease