Qualifications

• Native Intelligence — - not necessarily degrees, but the ability to think, reflect, communicate, challenge the conventional wisdom, make judgments in complicated situations, and show flexibility
• Anger and Edge — not temper, not ideological fervor, not an abstract commitment to "the people," a clear sense of what's wrong, impatience in the face of that wrong, and a drive to address it
• A willingness to cross race and culture — to be willing to work with people unlike yourself, people of other races, classes, orientations, faiths
• A track record — some evidence, in high school, in college, in your local community, in your workplace, of attempting to relate to people and to respond to situations that call out for action; and some success or impact in whatever field or career or endeavor has occupied your time