I originally planned on posting about Jesse Jackson's ridiculous comments but my man Nellz did as good of a job as I would have, so I definitely urge you to go and check it out (arkitekt's blueprint). Yet, there is something I want to address with this entry and thats the legacy of leadership. Since before the end of the Civil Rights movement (or what tons of people say is the end, seeing as how the movement isnt over), there has been a fight for prominence and leadership of the "black community". I have argued before, and again argue now, that beginning April 5, 1968 (the day after the assassination of Dr. King), there has been a constant struggle for the control of the continuation of the movement. With no recognized leader present to take the lead, the movement lost its luster and was in an uproar. However, it would be historically myopic to constrict the power struggle to this time period. In fact, there were noted struggles between King's SCLC and Stokley Carmichael's SNCC over the direction of the movement and perceptions of leadership. Carmichael and SNCC were upset that King was getting most of the media attention, while they were doing "most of the work". They were also fed up with the continued non-violence of the movement and were seeking to convert the movement to the militant strand that preached Black Power. King feared that the slogan of Black Power would confuse white people, as it did, and further hurt the movement, again as it did. So the fight over mission and strategy, as well as recognition plagued the movement early on, however, after the death of King, the leadership struggles of the movement were amplified by a need for a leader to continue the movement. The death of King led the selfless to become selfish and led them to stray away from the flock like sheep without a master. It is known by many that King declared Ralph Abernathy to lead the movement. However, Abernathy's lack of leadership ability and vision (at least in comparison to MLK) led to his losing control of SCLC and lead to the rise of Jesse Jackson amongst other people. So what then is the legacy of Dr.King's Leadership? Barack Obama seems to be next in the trend of charismatic, compassionate, intelligent leadership needed to transform this country into what it claims to be: One nation, under God, indivisble, with liberty and justice for all. So why the hate from Jesse Jackson? The answer is that it is a problem that is endemic to the Black Community, as well as our national community. You see, the Civil Right generation is exiting the stage and they are having a hard time dealing with a society that is working to be more integrated and globalized. The problems that people of color faced during the Civil Rights generation's heyday have become problems for more than one group of people and the post-Civil Rights generation is looking to correct all problems not just one. It is a multifaceted attack on the social and institutional ills of our society. So it is a shift from the days of marching and boycotting that is understandably unsettling for them to experience this dramatic shift. What Jesse Jackson said is inexcusable. To make matters worse, the questionable Al Sharpton came to his defense. It didnt help much. There is new leadership in place to take this country to the heights that it should be taken to. While the "old guard" is much appreciated, it is time for a change that can be seen and felt. Besides, Jesse and Al, in the past 21 years, havent spoken for a cause that I think they should be speaking on. Neither of them (both Reverends) defended Jeremiah Wright. They both remind me of the Rev. Rollo Goodlove . Your thoughts?
フィギュアスケートの世界選手権。日本のエース宇野選手の成長が楽しみ
8 years ago
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Where to begin? First--great post Wil and I really hope people read it so it can start an important conversation.
Now, maybe you'll remember a visit to Colgate by Cornell West. One of his major points, I think a beautiful one, was that in order for white people to understand black people in this country there has to be a HNIC, or "head nigga in charge". Unfortunately, it's not that simple because black people in this country are not simple.
When we talk about black leadership today, does that include Carribbean and African folks? Latinos who are sometimes linked to the black community? More importantly, black people have been in this country as long as white people and there's plenty of diversity among so-called "African Americans" too.
MLK was an easy face-man for the civil rights movement of the 1960s, but those who study it closely know it went way beyond King, and even Malcolm. Same thing in South Africa -- Nelson Mandela certainly didn't achieve freedom and democracy on his own while he was in prison people!
This time is a little different though. Barack is not a black leader. In many ways, Jesse and Al Sharpton tried to step into Dr. King's shoes when that wasn't the appropriate next step. Granted they've done some good work in their careers but there's a reason Rev Goodlove is based on them. They're a bit corrupt and very much in bed with BET and the NCAAP and some questionable leadership in those organizations.
Dr Dyson, when he vivisted 'gate made the point that Barack is not a black leader, he's not running for president of Black America, and while he may provide inspiration and hope to black youths, he intend to to the same for everybody. What I bleieve is that such is the appropriate next step. Maybe thorugh our incrimental advances in the social schema in the United States as a people, we have outgrown the need of a MLK or a HNIC. Barack taking office is not like Mandela taking office. Barack intends to push into a state of true equality. It won't be 100% realized in his time as prez, but perception is everything.
Little black kids wanting to be president instead of being like Mike or LeBron is a huge step, people. Maybe it will motivate people academically, and change the priorities of public service, etc. Anyway, people like Jesse are stuck in the past, not ready for this monumental step. They want to re-do MLK, but it's time for a new approach. Racism still exists, but let's work on integration and equality!
Awesome post here. The only thing I'd like to add is that to me, Jesse/Al looked at this situation as the "survival of the fittest." Instead of embracing Barack, and commending him on his accomplishment of winning the nomination, they'd rather throw hate and dismay his way, out of sheer jealous. It's insane.
Great post! ♥ your blog!
I agree with Nellz' last statement, that being that integration and equality should be the next step for blacks (and whites) in America. The Civil Rights movement has undoubtedly aided the success that blacks have today and that includes Obama.
I guess one of the issues I confront, and still struggle with today, is the focus by some black folk (scholars, writers, etc) to continually pushed for seperate and "hopefully" equal societies divisive between blacks and whites. There are some people who still believe the gap of racism is still as stagnant even though blacks have made some accomplishments since the 60's.
But if people are to gain any knowledge of how far we've progressed as a people then just look at Obama. What's cool than a brother being respected and supported by so many people across the country (and perhaps the world) who just might become the 44th president of the f**kin United States of America. Never would that have happened in the 60's.
Of course he doesn't specifically address being part black, but he has made that more than exceptional speech on his ideas about race that should be documented in history and embedded in future history textbooks.
My point is, that as a black man in United States, we still confront racism in a variety of ways, but we have also gain many achievements despite the evil mindsets of others. As black folk we should be aware and knowledgeable about who we are, but not give into the seperate and "hopefully" equal strategy just pulling a page out of the KKK manual.
Man, Im glad this convo has gotten started. I totally agree with you Nellz. I respect Cornel West and think highly of him, however, there is no head white person in charge and the same should be applicable for black people. We are entirely too different and diverse to have one person speak for the entire race. Its just not representative of who we are as a people. We also need more interaction with other groups of color in order to create King's Dream. But the method for reaching King's dream has changed and that is what Barack Obama is trying to accomplish. To speak on what Tommy D was talking about with people trying to be such separatists, I think most of the academy (myself included sometimes) is jaded by our nation's history of race relations. But there's also a sense of ignorance on the part of some people in not fully understanding some concepts (i.e., the white fear of the Black Power movement). Black Power was an academic movement to push for the inclusion of Black writers, thinkers, and academics in the general scheme of academia. There was a shift then in the perception of society that people were uneasy about and there is a shift now in the way society is being formed and many people are uneasy about it now.
Lets keep this convo going! Good lucks on the advertising Nellz!
Will, what you are doing here is fantastic. Mr Semela is absolutely right to point to the meaning of blackness as under question-- including Caribbean and African descendants in America? This is something I have felt particularly annoyed about a long time with regard to the definition of Black in the USA, especially since persons living there descended from elsewhere cannot seriously fit in readily with communities in their supposed 'home' countries. Obama is making a great stride in refusing to dignify the question of Blackness in his bid for leadership, because he totally ignores all these 'tribal' distinctions between us-- African, Caribbean, Igbo, Yoruba, African-American, et cetera, and focuses only on the value distinctions he believes Americans should believe they can aspire to. I really think he is the first active leader of colour anywhere in the world to do so! To me, that is his feat. No matter what they say about him, they can't touch him on that.
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