“The Weak don’t get to choose Anything, not even their Death.” – Trafalgar Law, the Surgeon of Death.
This was a quote that struck me the first time I heard it. Trafalgar Law, captain of the Heart Pirates in the manga One Piece, stated this to a fallen opponent, an opponent he fell. I wonder how leaders like him get to become the leaders they are? Given what I know what him in One Piece (which is relatively little thought), it does not seem he forced his constituents under his flag. I somewhat recall another character in the series mention Law is known as one of the most ruthless pirates in his domain. How do you come to lead being the person you are? and from this transitions over when you try to become a “good” (I’m saying this [“good”]with much caution) leader in modern times and space? (We’ll approximate in rural America).
One Piece has taught me to suspect that people don’t really follow you, they follow their own interests. If the person is interesting enough (for whatever reason) for you to follow, then you’ll follow them. Let’s assume that’s established: what makes you want to follow a person who is widely known as killing many others? Well, given this info, the decision could be based on fillers; if the person is wholesomely committed to killing downright unchangeably evil people in the world who brings more suffering to the next group of people than the last, then I might understand. I might even join. But, assuming this isn’t true, what would make you want to join this person? (This is a cliffhanger question meant to get you to think).
I have aspirations to help create a more just society, and when you consider the problems, even the problem of consider what is “just”, you realize sometimes you just have to act on a minor scale. Like, when you try to engladden a sad friend again, that might be considered just. But are there things you can provide for people that they can appreciate and consider “just” well done. This kind off drags towards Mill’s Utilitarianism, and, in a short sighted conjuring, we might say movie theaters are just in certain times, for certain people too… But minus the institution, how far could one go to create what’s Just? In a world of conflicting opinions, here we run into another problem of leading for your ideal. In a pithy but spot-on monologue, critical One Piece-antagonist warlord Doflamingo Donquixote shares his knowledge of opponents, history, ideals, influence, and power as they relate poignantly here.
“Pirates are evil? The Navy is righteous? Those views change as often as the tides! Kids who’ve never known peace have different values from those who’ve never know war. Those who stand at the top can decide the definition of “evil”. This place is the turning point. Justice will triumph, you say? Of course it will? Because the winners will become justice!”
This is simultaneously an inspiring and frightening group of words to hear. I wonder, is there place where this doesn’t apply?
I will continue to search for leadership within One Piece and beyond for more insight and enlightenment to possibly discuss on my essays.