L. Brooks Patterson opined this week that it should be placed in the “Fiction” section of area bookstores. Many, like the Oakland County Executive, reviled in its blaming of others for his failings. Released last week online and to a select few area bookstores, “Surrendered: The Rise, Fall & Revelation of Kwame Kilpatrick,” has been much anticipated and discussed – but will it serve toward rehabilitating the image of the man behind it?
In the world of adversity management, when one admits their mistakes and vows to do better it can go a long way toward eventually turning the tide of public sentiment. The key word here is “eventually” as time can heal all wounds. Yet, admitting wrongdoing and also taking responsibility for that wrongdoing are essential to the possibility of redemption. While I have not read the book (only outtakes and reviews), it appears that Kilpatrick is nothing if not consistent in his continuing to point his finger at the media, vindictive business leaders and racism. They, he intimates, are what conspired to bring about his downfall.
What I find most egregious is not what he has written but his return to court last week to try to have overturned Judge Groner’s previous ruling that all book proceeds go first toward paying back his more than $800,000 restitution to the City of Detroit, citing it as “unconstitutional.” It is further evidence that Kilpatrick will never take responsibility and, as a result, is poised to fail miserably as the motivational speaker he seeks to become. After all, how can you teach others when you can’t learn yourself.