Black Leadership... Looking Backwards?
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Posted By: Jon C. on December 15, 2008 Why does it seem that when we think about Black intellectuals and leaders, we always focus on the past and not the present? Where is our 2009 W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, or Langston Hughes? It should not take another 75 years to recognize the leaders of today. Granted, I'm glad that we're proud of our achievements. It seems, however, that we've put our achievers on a pedestal that we ourselves feel incapable of reaching. Could this potentially be a barrier to creating new leadership? If I were to ask any of our BIA members whether he/she felt like they should be equal in stature to Mary McLeod Bethune or George Washington Carver, most of us would humbly say no, forgetting that these were ordinary people the same as you and I. They had the same struggles and issues... the only difference is that the small daily battles were forgotten and the lifelong battles were remembered. Bethune worked two jobs as a hairdresser and a sales clerk while saving to eventually create Bethune Cookman University. Carver began life as a slave and used his knowledge of the field to change his life. Our greatest heroes had the same concerns as we do... paying the rent, taking care of their children, keeping their personal lives in order, getting 16 hours of work done in a 12 hour day. However, throughout the course of those things they still managed to accomplish extraordinary things. Heroes did not begin their lives as heroes... they simply ended that way. We must not be intimidated by the trappings of preeminence - history books, statues, and famous quotes only disguise the fact that if we ever had the opportunity to meet one of these people, the experience probably wouldn't be that different from meeting someone in your own neighborhood. It's time for us to define the next generation of superstars. Will you be among them? If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Jon C.
Benefits Management Analyst, State of Ohio Hampton University class of 2004 Member Since July 2003 |
Comments
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I think there is more of an anti-intellectual bias within our community in the present than there was in the past. Today, few would want to carry our standard, as it were, because our community seems to try to tear anyone down who sticks his/her head above the fray. We seem to want apparent perfection from our leaders though no one is perfect. Our heroes from the past weren't perfect either but we could tolerate their imperfections because of the perceived good that could come from their leadership. It seems to me that the 'crabs in a barrel' syndrome is far too prevalent today.
Monday, December 15th 2008 at 12:17PM |
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We, Slave Americans, have never had any leadership and we do not have any today. Baraka Hussein Obama is the new Leader of the United States of America. He has no ancestry in America of Slavery. He does not profess a name given to African kidnapped people by Racist/Genocidal European Americans. He has been excluded and made to deny Slave American Religious Christian Churches by European Americans. He does not claim White or Black false labels. To be included in the America of the 21st Century, Slave Americans need to follow Baraka Hussein Obama; his approach has WORKED. He is the MAN...........................He is THE LEADER. Wednesday, December 17th 2008 at 11:42AM |
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As a young leader in my community, I'm finding that when we reference the word leader our point of reference is limited to what seems to be people with national acclaim. I have found that leadership and heroism starts one person at a time; one child at a time etc... Those in the educational industry ascribe to this more often and we should all be ascribed to do so. Our children tend to look towards history; and it's not to be forgotten. However, there are not enough local heros with definative actions (and lives) of impact in their neighborhood stepping up to redefine today/present time heroism and leadership.
Sunday, February 15th 2009 at 11:18PM |
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I am inclined to concur with Dr. Hines, as the anti-intellectual movement seems to permeate the mainstream, but also the anti-class (good manners), anti-kindness, anti-compassion et al.
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 1:47PM |
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But I concur with Rev. Al Sharpton, that it was this "uneducated " class that made it possible for the educated to walk through they doors they opened.
Wednesday, March 4th 2009 at 1:49PM |
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I believe that leaders begins in the home, the family is the key and the head of house whole is the father, who is the leader of the house. It is very important that a man and a woman, that came together out of love, made that commitment as husband and wife to stay together, make it work, until death due you apart. Love is that super power that is needed to make a leader of today and that leader who can show that power, will bring people together, united as one nation. Thursday, September 10th 2020 at 11:19PM |
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"...I believe that leaders begins in the home.....the head of house whole is the father..." Thursday, September 10th 2020 at 11:19PM Deacon Ron Gray ****************************************************************************************************************** Leadership for America or any nation and its' people Must begin with Education.... ...The evolution of the Family of Adaam(as) is an evolution of Intellect.... 1) No people or nation are a Color...."skin color cannot think, reason or lead" 2) Yes, leaders B E G I N in the Family Unit....and Yes, a father is head of the H O U S E H O L D... 3) The United States of America has a Constitution that produces IN VOTING its' Leader.... ...VOTE in 2020...federal, state and local on site...for Leadership away from Racist 'whiteBlacks' Friday, September 11th 2020 at 8:28AM |
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MY WORDS: 1) No people or nation are a Color...."skin color cannot think, reason or lead" MY REPLY: ROBERT, you are correct SKIN color cannot think, reason or lead but the people inside of the Skin is what's important and that, what we should not to lose are focus on and my comments here on Black In America is the reason why I 'am here. I want to promote positive ideas, dialogue on this site, that is the reason why I 'am here. WHY are you here ROBERTPOWELL? Friday, September 11th 2020 at 12:42PM |
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Black Leadership... Looking Backwards? SUBJECT Americans need to follow President Baraka Hussein Obama; his approach has WORKED. He is the MAN...........................He is THE LEADER. Wednesday, December 17th 2008 at 11:42AM robert powell ************************************************************************************************************* Sorry....my fellow African American Jon C.....I must have brought in some russianDung... "......WHY are you here ROBERTPOWELL?...." Friday, September 11th 2020 at 12:42PM Deacon Ron Gray **************************************************************************************************************** If I may JonC....I came to BIA, this African American Family site following the Leadership of Journalistist Excellence and BIA Originator-Genesis...MRS. María de la Soledad Teresa O'Brien ....I, as she, am a believer that 'skin color cannot think, reason or lead' Friday, September 11th 2020 at 6:05PM |
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Did you see my last reply that I agree with you, ROBERT, you are correct SKIN color cannot think, reason or lead but the people inside of the Skin is what's important and YES, the people in the skin of color can, think, reason or lead', CORRECT? Friday, September 11th 2020 at 10:24PM |
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