BLACK POLITICS ARE IN A BLACK HOLE (Commentary - NEWSDAY)

[undergroundrailroad]

A leadership void since Martin Luther King Jr.’s death has allowed the loss of civil rights gains

BY NORMAN KELLEY

Norman Kelley is currently producing a documentary film based on his book, "The Head Negro in Charge Syndrome: The Dead End of Black Politics."

January 14, 2005

If the black political agenda of the post-civil rights era has been to influence the machinery of the federal government to black advantage, going from protest to politics, the re-election of George W. Bush has shown that agenda has failed.

A greater failure, however, is black leadership's inability and unwillingness to confront this as a problem and devise something new; this underscores how utterly bankrupt the leadership is.

Perhaps that should not be too surprising. As Robert C. Smith wrote in "We Have No Leaders," "Black leaders are integrated but their core community is segregated, impoverished and increasingly in the post-civil rights era marginalized, denigrated and criminalized." Put another way, black leaders' "core community" exists in virtual segregation, while the black middle class enjoys virtual equality and the black elite, which includes most black leaders, are truly integrated.

At this point in time and history, on the 76th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth, African-Americans have no viable political agenda and economic program or platform to withstand the resurgent phenomenon of white nationalism, an aspect of the conservative movement that has been developing in the country in plain sight for the past four decades. This is due to the decline of effective black political leadership.

[kwassa]

1. many presumptions in this quote

I really don't buy this statement from Kelley:
"At this point in time and history, on the 76th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth, African-Americans have no viable political agenda and economic program or platform to withstand the resurgent phenomenon of white nationalism, an aspect of the conservative movement that has been developing in the country in plain sight for the past four decades."

What resurgent phenomenon of white nationalism? The white supremecist movements are still small and still very marginalized. The ascendency of the far right of the Republican party is a little scary, but it doesn't seem like a white nationalist movement, more like an evangelical religious movement, and there are black evangelicals.

"Put another way, black leaders' "core community" exists in virtual segregation, while the black middle class enjoys virtual equality and the black elite, which includes most black leaders, are truly integrated."

I don't agree that there is a "core community" that exists in segregation. This label suggests that the segregated black underclass is the true black "community", which brings about the question to me of what exactly a community is? It also denotes authenticity, which is also questionable to me, as if this "core" were also the truth of the black community.

Just my thoughts.

[msgadget]

3. The core community

Black leaders traditionally advocate the poorest and least served and they usually are in segregated communities.

His sweeping generalization of the black middle class and elite not only missed the mark by a full mile but completely ignored the accomplishment of having and sustaining such classes AND the unique discomfort accompanying them.

While the author sticks resolutely to ONE theme - we have no leadership and are doomed - he occasionally reveals some truths that apply not only to blacks but to everyone who isn't a conservative! Primarily, WHY has the left been so ineffective in halting the progress of the right?

The Republicans regained their majority by workin' the white southern voter into a frenzy over the interference of the federal government into their states' rights during the civil rights movement. Election after election, they continued to beat the same drum: small government, low taxes, morality - all code words, imo. The result, a state voting to keep schools segregated in 2004.

Perhaps there is a quiet white nationalism that exists for some conservative voters. The Willie Horton commercial certainly didn't seek to unite black and white voters. Nor did the circulation of McCain's brown child's photo. They wouldn't use such tactics if they didn't recognize and pander to racist attitudes.

I don't like the tone of Kelley's op-ed because it's easier to point the finger of blame than reaching the hand out to help but there are a LOT of people who have not been paying attention and if his books, op-eds and documentary move them to action then I say, 'thanks'.

[kwassa]

4. MsGadget

MsGadget:
"Black leaders traditionally advocate the poorest and least served and they usually are in segregated communities."

Traditionally, yes, but there are also successful black politicians in racially mixed environments. I also think that many younger blacks are dissatisfied with the old school political approach that emphasize only getting from the government, rather than more aggressive self-help strategies.

"His sweeping generalization of the black middle class and elite not only missed the mark by a full mile but completely ignored the accomplishment of having and sustaining such classes AND the unique discomfort accompanying them."

What do you see as the unique discomfort? Please excuse me if this has already been discussed here, as I am new around this forum.

[msgadget]

5. Hi, Kwasaa,

Kelley left no room for diversity in his treatise and I believe this statement answers your first question: Black leaders are integrated but their core community is segregated.... Iow, many black pols have 'made it' without pulling their core constituency along with 'em. It's laudable to have black politicians governing integrated districts but their 'success' means little for those in stagnant communities - it doesn't trickle down to a better lifestyle for all.

I'm sorry but I disagree strongly that blacks have previously preferred getting from the government to actual achievement. Politicians pandered to the poor and disadvantaged via entitlements to the point the democrats in Carter's administration fought him when he wanted to reform welfare, thus gifting it to the republicans as the Reagan era's code word for 'lazy blacks'. The very system discouraged working, saving, marriage, ownership and even birth control and why would it if it was indeed a temporary aid designed to help people get on their feet? So, here we have the result of multi-generational dependence and the conservatives believe all that is necessary are exhortations to "get it together". I can understand why frustrated people's ears can be caught by the stern father lectures from the right but at the end of the day all Americans want to be heard, valued and respected.

Edit: I misread your post before zipping off a reply and, upon re-reading, you did NOT imply blacks preferred getting from the government. You referred to '...getting from the government...' as a political approach and, obviously, I agree wholeheartedly that it was.

Young people in particular are ready to have leadership that doesn't wear sneakers or hold microphones but I don't see anyone on the horizon. That doesn't mean their only alternative is to join a church and vote conservative, however.

In a previous discussion we discovered that many of us middle class blacks felt removed from urban and rural blacks. And, I know for damned sure many of my neighbors weren't thrilled when I moved here and still aren't. Education, income and address do not a fairy tale ending make.

[DrWeird]

6. What resurgence in white nationalism?

War in Iraq. "War on Terrorism." etc. All based on racism and bigotry, albeit not directed, yet, at African Americans.

[Pithy Cherub]

2. He must have missed that whole

John Conyers Jr. issue of upholding civil and voting rights for the "core community" and of course it was difficult to hear the dissonant voice of Bill Cosby. Since the singular is used in the title of his book and documentary this is a person who appears to be in search of one ideal leader for the black community.(uh, no thanks) The flawed reasoning does not take into account how communication tools of the 21st century should be utilized.