Lecturer discusses how good leadership and justice issues go hand-in-hand

Riverside, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2018) – “The world conspires to rob people of dignity, life and liberty. It is our job as leaders to prevent injustice from happening and allow humankind to flourish,” Dr. Wayne Barnard told a California Baptist University audience on Nov. 29.

Barnard spoke as part of the Culture and Justice Lecture Series organized by the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at CBU. Barnard is a psychology professor at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to being a professor, he spent eight years working in the global nonprofit sector with International Justice Mission.

People learn about justice by thinking about injustice, Barnard said.

“Injustice is when someone abuses their power. It does not have to be a whole lot of power. Most bullies don’t have a whole lot of power. Just enough for them to carefully choose their victim,” Barnard said. “When you talk about justice as a whole, you are talking about the flourishing of humankind.”

Barnard encouraged his audience to become leaders who fight injustices with humility and vulnerability.

“There has to be a sense of humility when it comes to leadership. A recognition of what it is we do not know,” Barnard said. “We allow ourselves to ask questions and also allow the questions to be asked. Vulnerability does not equal weakness at all. It’s actually a strength.”