Black Leader vs Black Followers: The Indifference Shared

Imagine living during a time when African Americans where strategically politically disenfranchised. A time when the ruling class not only posed an economic threat, but also a physical. Aided by local and federal government, these types of injustices warranted resistance. Such atrocities spawned a "fight back" with a resilience that mirrors Haitian revoltism. This type of oppression is founded in the belief of ethno-genetic superiority. A pseudo science with it's underlying premise being: a race of people exist which are closest to the direct descendants of those(gods) which created humans. Not to be confused with the "religious" god which we are most familiar with. I digress.

-Should the onus of deficient black leadership be hoisted upon the shoulders of those who lead, or would it be more veracious to appropriate fault across Followers and Leaders the same?

 Black leaders as early on as the 1940's and 50's where extremely relevant do to the socio-political structure of the United States in that day. The plight of the oppressed resonated in the core of those that lead. "If I'm going to get beat to death at least let me(the community) get something for it". -Marion Berry. The likes of this abrasive vernacular had never been heard before within the walls of DC government building. A sacrificial selflessness seldom seen or heard today. I ask you the question: what did black people want of which they were being deprived of? Political inclusion, communal programs(socialist aid) and sufficient education. After the Renaissance era collegiate education was becoming prominent in the black community; Enlightening the negro to the necessity of representation in public office."We live in a world in which politics has replaced philosophy" -unknown author.  Black wanted political inclusion. A void which enable the ruling class govern blacks communities in a manner that  paralleled a slave to slave master relationship.

With the lack of viable employment(gainfully), communal program such as the youth breakfast program and mobile med clinic became came a necessity for the people. The need and want for these program served as a platform for black leader to demonstrate their self worth. As a result of the hard work and perseverance exemplified in that time, these objectives have been met.

With the coming of the first black president the pinnacle of political inclusion is in the here and now. Medicaid and federally founded school breakfast programs have replaced/negated the efforts of black groups which solidified themselves in socialist organizing. The efforts of the federal gov to pacify community influence of black leader crippled their once powerful adoration. hence i ask: what do blacks want today? The needs of the black American has changed drastically. Being more so rooted in self indulgence coupled with insatiable quest for material goods. Art imitating life, these values can be seen being expressed in many different genre of music, television as well as media. The reckless demonstration of maturity and marriage principle displayed by spiritual leaders Juanita Bynum and Bishop Thomas Weeks, filled us with a tarnished and dilapidated images of religious evangelist. The economic savvy of Oprah has been undermined by her demeaning of inner city youth when asked why she does support them. " I become frustrated visiting with inner-city that i just stop going. The sense that you need to learn just isn't there. If you ask the kids what they need or want, they will say an Ipod or some sneakers. In South Africa they don't ask for money of toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school" -Wow, tell'em how you really feel Oprah! Epitomizing today's black leadership.

"These are our hero's"  -NAS