African American Leaders

[Professor]

If any, who do you consider to be leaders of the African American Community?

[The Original Ape]

Most of our REAL leaders wont be seen nationally-unless they are politicians too. Most of the real leaders work in our neighborhoods/cities.
I think almost all of the congresspeople are our leaders-with the exception of some of the republican sellouts. I like Maxine Waters, and the light-skinned brother from Texas, Kwesi Mfume, Jesse's son, and a few more. I'll edit this later with their names.

Good question.

[dirtymike1906]

Good question professor; I hope to see a variety of responses. Myself--I agree with VctoriasSecrt that many of our leaders lack prominence but may actually be found within the folds of our local communities. I would rather say I like the influence of certain individuals. Given such, I favor Mfume for assuming the helm of the NAACP, the insight of Harvard University Prof Cornel West, and the voice and potential of Tavis Smiley. Additionally, and I say this with some regret, I favor anyone who responsibly raises their children and/or rears a family.

[AKA2D '91]

Maybe we will see some of those "leaders" when Tavis Smiley has his dialogue/conversation about the Af Am's Agenda:

February 26th
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
Atlanta, GA

[TheEpitome1920]

Not sure how I feel about giving one person or an elite group of people the power to speak for such a diverse group. I think we have people who are good at articulating some of the issues that our communities face but not a leader per se.

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
Not sure how I feel about giving one person or an elite group of people the power to speak for such a diverse group. I think we have people who are good at articulating some of the issues that our communities face but not a leader per se.

Really, what does the term mean anymore? We probably are too diverse at this point in time to be galvanized by any one figure. So where, truly, is the "power?" Can a "leader" dictate behavior? create and sustain a needed movement?

I think nowadays the term "leader" is more a media label, a way to identify those it sees as having some greater socio/political insight or relevance to our community. ....of course, whether this is true or not is up for a major debate.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by TheEpitome1920
Not sure how I feel about giving one person or an elite group of people the power to speak for such a diverse group. I think we have people who are good at articulating some of the issues that our communities face but not a leader per se.

Ditto. I believe we are too diverse at this point as well.
Now if we could just use this diversity to our advantage…