I hope that this is true- the evolution of racial politics

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by PhiGam

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122628263723412543.html

when people get off of the idea that Al Jesse and Rev Wright (WTF?) are the only outlets for Black Thought when it comes to American politics...then we can progress...when those self same people realize that there are vast majority of other voices within the Black community (such as M.E. Dyson, Lewis Gordon, Dr. West and many others) that have the our concerns at heart then we can begin a dialogue but when all you can focus on is those 2 names (sorry but Wright doesn't count...) then there is nothing to talk about.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

when people get off of the idea that Al Jesse and Rev Wright (WTF?) are the only outlets for Black Thought when it comes to American politics...then we can progress...when those self same people realize that there are vast majority of other voices within the Black community (such as M.E. Dyson, Lewis Gordon, Dr. West and many others) that have the our concerns at heart then we can begin a dialogue but when all you can focus on is those 2 names (sorry but Wright doesn't count...) then there is nothing to talk about.

There's no doubt that these individuals (Wright/Sharpton/Jackson to a much lesser extent) make it easy for the uninformed to assume that they are, in fact, powerful voices for black Americans. Whether this is due to media overexposure, self-aggrandizing politicking or something somewhat more sinister, I'd guess it's something like 30000 times easier to find Al Sharpton on TV than Michael Eric Dyson, and this is a problem.

Now, sure, there's some onus on the uninformed to seek out the 'truth' - but when it comes to availability, work needs to be done in getting the proper voices to the forefront of the discussion.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

...when it comes to availability, work needs to be done in getting the proper voices to the forefront of the discussion.

Amen.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

There's no doubt that these individuals (Wright/Sharpton/Jackson to a much lesser extent) make it easy for the uninformed to assume that they are, in fact, powerful voices for black Americans. Whether this is due to media overexposure, self-aggrandizing politicking or something somewhat more sinister, I'd guess it's something like 30000 times easier to find Al Sharpton on TV than Michael Eric Dyson, and this is a problem.

Now, sure, there's some onus on the uninformed to seek out the 'truth' - but when it comes to availability, work needs to be done in getting the proper voices to the forefront of the discussion.

I would agree with you but in this day and age...TV is not your only outlet and some people are just not willing to let old habits and figures die...

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

I would agree with you but in this day and age...TV is not your only outlet and some people are just not willing to let old habits and figures die...

Oh I agree that there will always be a segment of the population that will always only hear what they want to hear. But I think if we've learned anything in the last 7 days, it's likely that that portion is simply not that big anymore - since we can only expect people to put in so much effort, it seems pretty important to get the best voices to the forefront.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

Oh I agree that there will always be a segment of the population that will always only hear what they want to hear. But I think if we've learned anything in the last 7 days, it's likely that that portion is simply not that big anymore - since we can only expect people to put in so much effort, it seems pretty important to get the best voices to the forefront.

close to 60% of a certain population

[OneTimeSBX]

Originally Posted by KSig RC

There's no doubt that these individuals (Wright/Sharpton/Jackson to a much lesser extent) make it easy for the uninformed to assume that they are, in fact, powerful voices for black Americans. Whether this is due to media overexposure, self-aggrandizing politicking or something somewhat more sinister, I'd guess it's something like 30000 times easier to find Al Sharpton on TV than Michael Eric Dyson, and this is a problem.

Now, sure, there's some onus on the uninformed to seek out the 'truth' - but when it comes to availability, work needs to be done in getting the proper voices to the forefront of the discussion.

you are sooo correct. black or not, i dont relate to people like Jackson/Sharpton...they come out the woodwork and stoke fires as far as im concerned. anytime something negative happens to a black person, they pop up and irritate the situation...some black people take what they say as the 1000% truth and i hate that. they could show up at my house right now and i wouldnt care...they are NOT my spokespeople!

i absolutely love Michael Eric Dyson. he is positive, educational, and non-confrontational. more people need to be introduced to him and his body of work.