Two wrongs, we’re told, can’t make a right. We all sorta believe it, but credit where credit’s due, RIOC’s Communications AVP Akeem Jamal is putting it to the test. After grossly misrepresenting the facts surrounding the forced closure of the youth center earlier this month, he pushed the same misinformation through another source last week.
Will this make it right? Will it erase President/CEO Seldom Seen Shelton Haynes’s failures in ethical leadership? The professional failures of Youth Center Director Ana Medina and Chief Counsel Gretchen Robinson? Can two wrongs get them off the hook?
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
Laboring for Haynes can’t be easy. Employees report daily challenges to ethics, and his close friend, Altheria Jackson, bragged about his talent for freely firing people without paying any price. Maybe you’re always on tenterhooks.
But Jamal, who mysteriously left Yonkers, a city of over 200,000, to seek his fortune in tiny Roosevelt Island, is gliding through it.
Two Wrongs
In January, we reported on an ill-advised press release credited to Jamal. Instead of announcing a correction after the state shut down RIOC‘s Youth Center when they were caught operating without a license, he couched it as a victory for Dear Leader Seldom Seen Shelton.
Branded misinformation because it told half the story of an embarrassing episode, it also lurched out of a press release mill amid a tidal wave of others. Anyone not spying on them would never pay the least attention.
The Daily asked Jamal what punishments the leaders responsible for the violations received. But he did not answer. That’s not what professional communicators do. It’s what management flunkies do.
Wrong #2?
After the first press release gained no traction, apparently learning nothing, Jamal generated a second, identical item in another press release mill.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation President Shelton J. Haynes Announces Major Youth Center Development appeared on January 27th.
As foolishly posted as before, it merged with 1,248 others, roughly one a minute, flowing out that day.
There’s nothing specifically wrong about bulk press release services, but unless targeted to resources who pick up the info for spreading the word, it’s relatively useless.
And RIOC, with cash taken from Roosevelt Islanders, pays for the service.
But in Context…
This got us thinking about the firm belief that two wrongs can’t make a right. Is it always true or is Jamal onto something? Here’s what we decided in detail.
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Can two wrongs make a right?
We all know the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right.” But what happens when two wrongs do actually make a right? That’s the question.
We took a look at the history of how two wrongs have been used to try and justify a wrong decision and how this has ultimately led to more problems than it solved. Do you believe that two wrongs can ever really make a right?
What do you think of the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right?”
This ancient adage has endured for generations, and I strongly agree with its sentiment.
The very phrase implies that no matter the situation, committing another wrong to rectify an existing wrong does not bring justice or a satisfactory outcome.
It’s better to look for a solution based on truth and morality rather than resorting to doing something wrong in hopes of achieving the desired result.
Do you think that there are exceptions to this rule?
While the old saying “two wrongs don’t make a right” remains true in a majority of scenarios, there are some occasions where two wrongs may make a right.
For instance, when both parties share equal responsibility for the mistake being made and both decide to take corrective action, then it can be argued that their combined efforts have made the situation better.
However, this isn’t something that can usually be counted on. It requires great responsibility from each person involved and relies on them working in harmony. But how likely is that?
Can you think of any examples where two wrongs might actually make a right?
In some cases, two wrongs may make a right.
Excuse the fairy tale, but a classic example of this is Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
After her breach of etiquette by entering their home without permission, Goldilocks finds and consumes the bear family’s porridge too.
This upsets the bears who are, in turn, are so disturbed that they go out for a walk and find Ugly, who was in need of shelter.
Consequently, had Goldi not broken into their home and eaten their food, the bears would not have stumbled upon Ugly whose life was drastically changed because of them.
Thus, two wrongs make a right in this situation, but it’s a stretch.
What do you think is the best way to handle a situation where you’ve made a mistake?
Everyone has faults and makes mistakes, which can be especially damaging when the consequences of these errors affect someone else.
When faced with a personal mistake, the best way to handle it is with an open attitude and a willingness to fix it.
Accepting responsibility for our wrongdoings allows us to move on from them and take the necessary steps so that no longer repeating them becomes more likely.
Staying accountable and trying our best to prevent similar problems from happening again we recognize our mistakes and make amends without denying or justifying our actions.
The ability for two wrongs to produce a positive outcome starts first with properly addressing our faults.
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Have you ever been in a situation where someone else made a mistake, and you had to decide whether or not to forgive them?
When it comes to making mistakes, it’s hard to forgive someone when we haven’t been in their shoes. We know what it feels like to have our own mistakes judged harshly.
Yet, sometimes there is a right and wrong answer, especially when someone has made a mistake that affects us personally. If you’ve been in this situation, you know how difficult it can be, weighing the options and making a decision.
Should you make peace with the person who’s done you wrong?
It takes courage and thoughtfulness from both parties involved, but if done right, two wrongs can sometimes make a right if forgiveness is extended.
What do you think is the best way to deal with conflict in general – should we always try to find a resolution, or is it okay to walk away sometimes?
It’s difficult figuring out what the best way of dealing with conflict is. It often depends on the situation. Generally speaking, though, finding a resolution will yield the most desirable outcome.
While it might be tempting to walk away from a confrontation and avoid unpleasantness, keeping communication open helps avoid issues coming up in the future.
Refusing to compromise can result in both parties feeling like they’re right and not getting what they want. But finding a middle ground that respects both perspectives enables each party to feel like they achieved something.
Ultimately, it’s important to weigh up the potential costs and benefits before deciding how to deal with a conflict – while it may sometimes be necessary or preferable to end communication instead of continuing it, at other times, taking the time to consider all options results in more meaningful outcomes.
What do you think? Will these insights help young Mr. Jamal find his way?
