Leadership can be thought of in many ways, and the stories “From Alta Vista High”, “Acrobats”, and “The Appropriation of Cultures” differently define what a leader should be. In the story, “From Alta Vista High”, author Kathy Silvey Hall writes about a substitute teacher named Nicole Silvers who had to substitute a class because the teachers of Alta Vista High School were afraid to show up and teach their students on April 22, 1992, the Rodney King Riots. She is bothered by the fact that the teachers were not physically at school supporting the students who are affected by the event of police brutality against an African American man. In the story “Acrobats”, the author, Clint Margrave, talks about Chuck, a white, racist, twenty-two-year old who tries to lead the half-Jewish narrator to think successfully for his future. …show more content…
The story “The Appropriation of Cultures” written by Percival Everett talks about an educated African American named Daniel Barkley who has inherited a lot of money from his mother. Despite the fact that he is African American, he seems to have the same experience as a upper-class man would have when he inherits his family’s fortune. Although Daniel from “The Appropriation of Cultures” does seem to live the economic life of a rich, white American, the protagonists from “From Alta Vista High” and “Acrobats” do not understand that true leadership is a selfless act from people willing to guide their followers to success by symbolically representing their commitment to their followers, correctly identifying themselves with people who need to be led to success, and wisely guiding their followers to create positive change for others