Time for New Black Leaders
The Reverend Jesse Jackson's very crude comment about wanting to cut off Barack Obama's testicles, breached a psychological levee in Black America. Yes, the remark was whispered, unbeknownst to Rev. Jackson, while his Fox News mic was live, but it was said nonetheless. And we know this is not the first time that Rev. Jackson has made a snide remark about Obama. I do not want to pretend to be inside the mind of Rev. Jackson, or any other Black political leader, but it has become evident to me, as a longtime community organizer, and as a current Democratic candidate for Congress, that Obama's campaign has brought the Civil Rights generation's chickens home to roost, finally.
It began as soon as Obama announced his candidacy. Was he Black and qualified enough to be a leader because a) he was biracial b) he was too young to have participated in the Civil Rights Movement and c) he was not a minister. Obama was an enigma to the old Black guard because they did not create him, and because they could not control him. This is the root of the generational split in Black America. The Civil Rights battles were fought to give future generations an opportunity to achieve the unthinkable just forty years ago. But now that many of us have the audacity to run for public office, to own businesses rather than spending our lives working for someone else, to become big-time donors in campaigns, there is a heavy resentment from the established Black gatekeepers. I hear it, often, as I run for Congress: that I didn't come through a political club; that I should wait my turn; that I didn't seek permission to run for office from the right Black leaders.
Frustrated and feeling powerless, some old school leaders have taken to chastising younger ones every opportunity they get. This, to me, is the crux of Jackson's comments, and the reason why so many Black politicians in New York City chose to support Hillary Clinton over Obama. It was not just a Black thing. It was a generational thing. A lack of political and moral courage thing. My opponent in Brooklyn, the 74-year-old Ed Towns, steadfastly supported Senator Clinton, even as nearly 60% of our Congressional district voted overwhelmingly for Obama back in February. Mr. Towns is so out of touch with the district that he did not see the waves of younger Blacks who moved to the district in the past decade, and who have, like me, bought property, and are here for the long haul. And we've been wondering why entrenched Black electeds like Mr. Towns are so disengaged from the community, to the point where many do not know his face nor can name three concrete things he's done in 25 years in office.
That sort of invisibility and do-nothingness, in Brooklyn, in Harlem, in the other parts of New York City where we have Black electeds is no longer acceptable. Neither is it acceptable for these old school leaders to treat their positions as a family business, to be passed to a family member or close friend when they are finally done. Neither is it acceptable for them to sit in office, unchallenged, year after year, while New York's Black communities continue to be mired in poverty, violence, crime, disease, terrible schools, and a sort of despair and hopelessness one would imagine in war-torn countries.
I certainly acknowledge and appreciate what the Civil Righters have done, but we younger African Americans are saying now, loudly, the jig is up and it is time for you to go, especially if you have not created hope and plans of action for our communities. The days of marching and protesting without a clear purpose are over. The days of voting for someone just because they are Black are over. Indeed, the multicultural legion of young Americans who've flocked to Obama's campaign suggest that we want leadership that builds bridges, not be stuck in the rhetoric and realities of the past. I have witnessed this as I've been campaigning. Yes, I must represent the concerns of Blacks and Latinos in East New York. But I cannot ignore the Hasidic Jews in Williamsburg or the young White professionals in Fort Greene. They are all my people. Until we have Black leaders who understand that the America we need now is one where an Obama can be president and a Nas can make a rap song like "Black President," both condemning Obama doubters and reminding everyone of the inequities that still exist, then we will continue to have leadership that is operating as if it is 1968 instead of 2008.
Kevin Powell, author of 8 books and Brooklyn community organizer, is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Brooklyn's 10th CD. He can be reached at kevin@kevinpowell.net
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We will never stop honoring nor will we forget, but nor can we stop moving farward. The path is being laid and everyone has to follow the road or stop at the fork.
the ones who are scared to leap well......
Agreed. It is time to turn the page.
The call for new Black leaders is about 10 years too late. Most of the "elders" lost any relevance 10-15 years ago. They've been out of touch for so long, that when anyone like Obama and Cosby speak up, they want to beat them down.
Not even Sharpton is very effective. He seems to only raise his haad when the system (man) does something against a minority. He has become a caricature because of his tendency to only take up high profile cases. But, I hardly see him spotlighting things like Black on Black crime. (Maybe he doesn't because there is so much that he'd be too tired to do anything else...)
Nothing stopping you from taking their places, is there? Go ahead, go ahead, step up! Maybe if people critcizing would just step up, Rev Sharpton wouldn't have to take just the high profile cases. How many cases high or low have you taken?
Good solid article, in some ways many these old school African Americans resemble conservatives in the fact that they are so resistent to change or new challenges. And then blaming it on everyone but themselves when they keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, which Einstein classified as the definition of insanity.
well put
Though I don't agree with many of your political stances (nor with those of B.O., for that matter), I appreciate 1) that you acknowledge some of the destructive aspects of the old guard and openly separate yourself from them, and 2) that you attempt to run on what you think is best for the entire community, instead of on what Jackson, et al, tell you your platform must be.
It's high time that prominent figures from within rise above the old gatekeepers and their policies that, whether intentionally or not, perpetuate racism and hinder the success of black Americans.
If your waiting for some outside force to come change your world, don't hold your breath, because it ain't comin, or you won't recognize it even when it arrives. Pick up your fishing pole and GET IT DONE, the help needs to come from within. Regards!
I agree with your post. It is time to move into a new direction. Shelia Jackson Lee from Houston; Stephanie Tubbs from Ohio and Maxine Waters from CA are examples of going against a majority of the voters in their district who voted in the primary. Unbelievable! Tubbs was on CNN every chance she got - this was pouring salt into a open wound.
Please vote these people out!!
I agree with your post. It is time to move into a new direction. Shelia Jackson Lee from Houston; Stephanie Tubbs from Ohio and Maxine Waters from CA are examples of going against a majority of the voters in their district who voted for in the primary. Unbelievable! Tubbs was on CNN every chance she got - this was pouring salt into a open wound.
Please vote these people out!!
I think you are confusing Jesse Jackson with some other guy. Jesse Jackson is not a do nothing leader. Jesse Jackson ran for president and was the original Barak Obama. You trash this man because of what? He said something about Obama. Who is Barak Obama anyway? I don't even know anymore, I don't see new politics, and what kind of fool hardy person decides to lecture the very people they are seeking votes from. Black people got Obama the nomination, at the least he could save his LECTURES on "Black Responsibility" until after November. I don't want any man running for president Lecturing black people on anything, I expect black people to have their butt kissed like every other demographic.
The AP headline says: "Obama tells NAACP blacks must take responsibility" I don't want to see anymore crap like this. It is an insult for a man who wants my vote to lecture me in this way. I don't see him lecturing any other ethnic groups. I don't see him telling Jews to denounce Israeli treatment of Palestinians. I expect a good butt kissing. Jesse Jackson was right, Obama is talking down to black people and that is NOT HIS PLACE.
Amen to that!
I second that amen!
I don't even think that you are Black, edtastic. Him not telling Jews to denounce the treatment of the Palestinians has nothing to do with what's going on in the Black community - so your comparison doesn't hold water.
And if you are Black and already holding down the fort, then his statements should roll of of your back since it's not YOU he is talking about. So, basically what you are saying is that noone should point out the deficiencies of the Black community as it pertains to taking matters into their own hands.
Maybe you'd rather the whole lot stay in the victim role and not aspire for anything higher.
Maybe you are alright with all garbage happening in the hoods, right now, because they in some way benefit you.
You don't know what your talking about. How about I point out deficiencies in your argument. First you should never question a persons ethnicity online. The comparison with Black treatment vs Jewish treatment in the context of identity politics and pandering is completely relevant. Accusing me of exploiting people in the ghetto because I don't want Presidential Candidates taking a condescending tone with the black community is a ridiculous attempt at character assassination.
I think you don't have a clue what to do about these problems. You are grasping for straws, and a Stearn lecture is readily available in Church for those that choose to go. It is not cool to be poor, a criminal, in jail, or have a missing father. Many have tried to make these things cool but some how the reality spoiled their illusions. People don't choose politicians to tell them to "take care of their kids" they choose one to help them "take care of their kids". What a politician plans to do to help you is what matters. We can take our lectures from our peers. That will do just fine. No Obama is not going to lead black people out the ghetto by telling them to take responsibility. He might encourage a conversation, but at the same time encourage one amongst whites seeking evidence of racial/cultural inferiority of blacks. Better such talks are done with REAL civil rights leaders, not Presidential Candidates.
HIT DOG WILL BARK!!! LOL
Yes I want him to speak to self responsibility. I have two boys at are in their 20's and no their male figure died when the were 9 and 13.
So since many males that are 12 to 29 don't have male figure speak to self responsibility.
BS. And, I rarely say things like that. For far too long, we have gotten mad at any black person who dared say that some of our problems are of our own making. Now we have a politician who is willing to say - Hey, I'll work to get government to meet you half way, but will you walk the other half? And once again, SOME blacks are crying foul. Nevermind that the majority of blacks have been willing to even cheer Barack on..
Jesse has crossed a line with me, and calling him "do nothing" is generous. Why is Jesse all mad? Does it have anything to do with him fathering children out of wedlock, and not liking the mirror being held up to HIM?
Finally - screw the headlines. Maybe check the facts out for yourself. Since when has the media been our friend? Out of all the things that Obama had to say - that's the headline. Ever think that maybe that's a reflection of media racism, instead of a reflection on Obama?
I'll link to a decent post on the matter: http://www
QT
I am not mad at black leaders for discussing personal responsibility. I agree it was long overdue. I supported Bill Cosby's breaking of the ice. Even long before Bill Cosby I was talking about the destructive Criminal Culture being popularized by hip hop. I could see the affects on children first hand. I knew the music and the culture that came with it were making bad kids badder and nice kids want to be bad.
Barak Obama is not a black leader he is a leader who happens to be black. This is what Barak Obama reveals his position to be. He said "We are not a Black America or White America but ONE AMERICA". Clearly he tossed that stuff out the window at the NAACP and on Fathers Day. I do not accept this lecturing from a Presidential Candidate who spends his days kissing butt for every other ethnic group. He praises Hispanics, praises hard working white Americans, then goes to NAACP and tells blacks to grow up and stop acting like boys. Well if that came out a white mans mouth we would throw a fit. I choose not to be a hypocrite, i condemn Obama for being to lazy or too calculating in not making his statements about the general American public. It is just disrespectful for politicians to treat voters in this way.
Jesse Jack is just looking for the next time he can get on camera. His money comes in when he stirs up shit. I remember when he came here to New Orleans after Katrina to pose for some photo op's with some "poor Katrina victims" who were stuck here and our fine folks told him off. This one lady called him out "if you can get in here how come you can't get us out!"
Kick the baby boomers out! Time for a new day.
Right on, Kevin. We are not to be pandered to like children, we have our own minds. The Hillary crime broke me with the whole of the "Black leadership", and it uncovered my eyes to how unconcerned these people really are with bettering the community, and how more concerned thye are with power, prestige, and mugging for the camera. Time for them to ride off into the sunset!!
"We are the ones we've been waiting on"
Thank you and God speed, Kevin!
I must agree with Mr. Powell. The Reverend Jackson and other African American leaders of the civil rights struggle are stuck in the past. Although we honor and appreciate their contributions, it's time for our African American brothers and sisters to take the next leap forward under new leadership. Hopefully, Barack Obama represents that new leadership.
Pt. ll
It is bad form to abandon the past without due acknowledgment of one's own being there. It is insulting to suggest that Black leaders should be aware of some new America when it is only the beginning of the America that Black people have sought for centuries. Don't make the mistake of thinking that you have nothing to gain from the legacies of the men you so want to rid us of. They turned harder corners than you'll ever have to worry about. And what if you lose? You'll still have to engage the same individuals.
It is conceivable that after all the drama have struggle that some rest was due, but we forgot that the devil never rests. Who allowed all those elected officials to elude scrutiny? I hope that the constituents you claim are yours, though you'll not mind if I take a moment for a hearty chuckle. At any rate, all the best and may your aim be true.
It is not time for them to "go" as you would have it. Be careful what you ask for. Besides, where would they "go"? The demon of this illusory equality we claim is the loss of culture. Previously we were not allowed to be Americans so we created our own institutions and our own great work. The illusion launched of the civil rights struggle was that we had achieved some kind of "equality" with those who hated us. Talk about cosmic humor.
The problem with the Jesse Jackson's is what we wound up buying. He is only a mirror on the lack of a particular degree of evolution. The absolute degradation of community that the author describes puts the lie to all the illusions of progress. Some few have made a certain kind of material and cultural progress but too many remain mired in communities that were victimized by banks and insurance companies. There was a time we did very much better about surviving the worse, only too have become part of the worse.
Way too much has been made about Jesse Jackson at all. His son covered it. away Obama demeans himself here by responding. Do you ever read how white people tend to refer to the Delay and Lott types with a certain degree of affection? Is Jackson a criminal in their league? If one or many are going to copy then they should copy well.
Thank you Kevin. I wish you much success in your campaigning. I've been watching you since the days of Real World. It seemed that you were "about business" then, but much more so now.
It is a good time for us young ones to step up. That has been what Senator Obama has been saying. He can't do it alone.
Thanks again
this from the dude who says that blacks can't be racist? sounds like you've grown quite a bit from the time when you were parrotting the nonsensical rhetoric of the "old guard" , which is good.
but i will personally wait before giving you more credit than that.
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