Black Public Intellectuals...exactly what are their roles?

[Anthony Davis]

I listen to Tavis and Cornel West every week and it seems as if their main purspose is to "bash" the President (Obama). It appears their main point has to do with the poor and working class segment of the black community, and that Obama should do something legislatively to help them.

I'm not necessarily in disagreement, although this narrow approach would be inconsistent with the role of the "black public intellectual" throughout history. It appears to me that men like Frederick Douglass (whom West seems to pattern himself after), not only moved Lincoln with regards to Emmancipation, but also moved blacks to be prepared to control their own destiny.

Booker T. Washington had the same ideology, as did W.E.B. DuBois, although their methodologies clashed. Again to them black's had the power to control their destinies...this helped fuel the ideology of the "New Negro" after World War I, which was prominent throughout the Harmlem renaissance. We saw Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X though different in approach both say that it was the duty of black America to be prepared to move forward themselves.

This approach that Tavis and West have implemented places the responsibility of black progress soley and in unprecedented fashion on the shoulders of the President of the United States (who ironically is the FIRST black President in history). I argue that this approach will gather listeners to their radio show...but will not lead to black progress. To sit in "ivory towers" such as Princeton and PBS (and everyother media affiliate that Tavis participates) and throw stones does nothing for the disenfranchised and the poor.

Movement starts from the grassroots participating and making things happen...not merely commentating and criticizing. It is my opinion that this does more to line the pockets of so-called "black public intellectuals" than to really offer change. I would argue that this type of leadership is a result of hypocritical men like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton subsequent to running for president. Neither thought they would win...they were simply positioning themselves for power in the black community. As a result neither one of these gentlemen are hurting financially and neither are Smiley and West....in the name of the black poor.

 

 

 

[Obama drama]

Penguin Board of Directors,

The more you talk, the more you prove how clueless and asinine you are. I gave you wisdom that should have shut you up but you returned to prove me right. Who exemplifies moron more than Odumbma considering what he's done with a super majority and an economy in a crisis? I'm nowhere as dumb as Odumbma and his success is little more than being born in the right circumstances. He's proved his success resume doesn't make him smart. He's only able to absorb knowledge and regurgitate it. He has no real intelligence to work with knowledge to solve problems. If you wasn't such a moron yourself you'd know that!

You're making me feel bad for sparing with a lightweight with air bubbles for a brain! Be a good dingbat and go bother someone else. I find you pathetic and don't want to harm you, so dribble on and I'll try to be kind and not keep doing damage to an idiot. I really don't know how to find another way of ending this. You don't seem to be smart enough to know you need to apologize and move on. You just naturally make me want to go blow for blow. I'll try to let it go after your next insult. It seems you're the type who needs the last word to feel you've won. So, go ahead and win it loser! Peace.

Penguin Board of Directors said:

OgreDrama,

I thought you were simply going senile; now I know you never had any functional brain neurons in the first place. If Obama never won any other election in his life, you could never come close to achieving a tenth of his strides even if you were afforded 100 earth lives! Get over it and be grateful you are still getting your disability checks! ... :)  

Obama drama said:

Penguin Board of Directors,

The more you talk, the more you prove how clueless and asinine you are. It's not wise to approach intelligence with stupidity. That's why you got a mental spanking and can't defend your stupid position.

I will apologize since I didn't mean to shock you soo bad you mutter more senseless dribble! My objective is not to leave you more damaged but wider awake. Peace.

Penguin Board of Directors said:

I do not talk to clueless people who walk on their brains or semblance of one! Good luck to the club of nitwits. Obama is clubbing your choices to a pulp.  

[Walter Simtec Simmons]

Perhaps some of us can take a line from Lion Turtle.

 

"A true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. A true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since the beginnings of time, darkness thrives in the void, but will always yield to purified light."
Lion Turtle

 

 

[Obama drama]

Walter Simtec Simmons,

That's deep and shows you're above the rest of us who wallow in the mud and mire of politics. If you're going to fight with pigs you've got to get in the mud. You go ahead and be deep and poetic. I'll just be real. Peace. Out.

Walter Simtec Simmons said:

Perhaps some of us can take a line from Lion Turtle.

 

"A true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. A true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since the beginnings of time, darkness thrives in the void, but will always yield to purified light."
Lion Turtle

 

 

[Richard Henrie]

Part of Obama's platform was that we as Americans need to stand up and do something. He himself self started as a grass roots organizer. I like both brother West and Smiley but they are dead wrong for how they are trying to attack our President. We must understand our government is still a government and things are still operating as they always have. Our President is receiving opposition on everything he tries to accomplish from the GOP a well as his side of the aisle. This country started its downfall in 2000 and we saw the economic crash in totally in 2009. This crash did not happen overnight and it will not be solved overnight. I remember hearing the speech he gave the night he was elected and the theme was WE as Americans have to stand up and do things to get this country back to where it once was. I will continue to listen to our two brothers but they really need to get off the President. Poverty has been an issue in this country for a long time MLK fought this fight in the 60's. But if they continue to say the President isn't doing enough let them visit this web site.

 

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

[jimmy pratt]

@Anthony Davis

Every President since the 19 century has been pressured to address the plight of Black people, accept the one you refer to as “the first Black President.”  Even Kayne West acknowledged this about President Bush. However, when this President is asked to address, legislatively, issues concerning Black people, bashing the President becomes the defense. While I agree it’s long past time to take the training wheels off, I take issue with you and others that some Blacks refer to as “Obama bots.”

First this statement from you: (who ironically is the FIRST black President in history) my answer: Are you saying we should we wait for the second Black President? And if this statement is true: “...hypocritical men like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton...”, then what does this say about the President who appointed Al Sharpton as his front man to the Black community. And most importantly, what does it say about us.

What we need from the President money can’t buy; it’s free! But because he is a politician, his party comes first. We need the president to embrace and encourage opposition voices in the Black community. This will bring about a rebirth of free thinkers and teach us and our children conflict resolution.  Unlike now Black people earlier had no real political loyalties. Just look back at the 1960’s when social and intellectual diversity was accepted in the Black community. Individuals like Martin Luther King and Malcolm X and groups like the NAACP and the Black Panthers grew our minds. Jim Crow died; books, poetry and the Black Power Movement were followed by the elections of members of the CBC and Barrack Obama.  Free speech and expression shouldn’t be confined to the internet. Your loyalty is not to this; it’s to one man and his party

[Walter Simtec Simmons]

If we think one man, be he black, white or colorless can solve the complexities of racial disparities in America, we are sadly mistaken. If the people would organize behind the right cause that will benefit all whom it affects, that would be a step in the right direction. If we want to keep playing the game of changing the man we put in the oval Office to throw darts at, then we are spinning our wheels.

 

[jimmy pratt]

Black people have invented more ways to make excuses for President Obama than Cater got liver pills. This is just another one. The President and other we elect do impact our lives. Why else would millions of people go to the polls? It’s not just to stop abortion or gay marriage.

Secondly, there are no racial disparities in America; there are only class disparities. You can believe in racism, communism, fascism or any ism you want, but America is about dollars pure and simple. America spent 16 trillion dollars on the poor and the rich wound up with almost all of it. What do you think Black TV shows and clothing lines like Our stories, Our missing and FUBU is about. It’s about duping poor and working blacks into believing that some kind of racial injustice should fill the coffers of rich Blacks. Where is our share? NEVER MIND, WE ARE THE VICTIMS OF RACISM!

Walter Simtec Simmons said:

If we think one man, be he black, white or colorless can solve the complexities of racial disparities in America, we are sadly mistaken. If the people would organize behind the right cause that will benefit all whom it affects, that would be a step in the right direction. If we want to keep playing the game of changing the man we put in the oval Office to throw darts at, then we are spinning our wheels.

 

[Walter Simtec Simmons]

Ok! you're right, I am through with this pointless argument. I think people have more intelligence than to still be persuaded by some ones opinion. 

jimmy pratt said:

Black people have invented more ways to make excuses for President Obama than Cater got liver pills. This is just another one. The President and other we elect do impact our lives. Why else would millions of people go to the polls? It’s not just to stop abortion or gay marriage.

Secondly, there are no racial disparities in America; there are only class disparities. You can believe in racism, communism, fascism or any ism you want, but America is about dollars pure and simple. America spent 16 trillion dollars on the poor and the rich wound up with almost all of it. What do you think Black TV shows and clothing lines like Our stories, Our missing and FUBU is about. It’s about duping poor and working blacks into believing that some kind of racial injustice should fill the coffers of rich Blacks. Where is our share? NEVER MIND, WE ARE THE VICTIMS OF RACISM!

Walter Simtec Simmons said:

If we think one man, be he black, white or colorless can solve the complexities of racial disparities in America, we are sadly mistaken. If the people would organize behind the right cause that will benefit all whom it affects, that would be a step in the right direction. If we want to keep playing the game of changing the man we put in the oval Office to throw darts at, then we are spinning our wheels.