Black Leadership

[Sweetpea]

Seems like when I write in about Sharpton or Jesse, I get response about them not being taken seriously. So I wanted to do a poll to see, what black leaders, people in DU take seriously. Please write in who you consider a modern day black leader because I am interested in finding ways to get more black youth involved in the process. Not interested in starting a flaming thread.

I personally have respect for all listed and many more.

[CMT]

1. I voted Mfume but I take many of those on your list

seriously. I happen to think Carol Mosley Braun is a good candidate for president and appreciate her presence in the debates. Sharpton also has brought up the issues that might not be if he were not a part of the debate.

[IndianaGreen]

12. I also voted for Mfume, but...

I will add that Cornel West has one of the most brilliant minds in America today.

[kainah]

17. I voted for Cornel West, even though he broke my heart

last year when he back out of coming to Wyoming to give the keynote address at the Matthew Shepard Symposium. But it was a hard choice to make. High on my list, as well, would be Kweisi Mfume, Julian Bond and John Lewis, a great hero who isn't on your list.

[cprise]

2. Cynthia and Jesse, too

.

[Wwagsthedog]

3. Not to disrespect those listed......

... but Nelson Mandela is my top pick.

[NewJerseyDem]

4. Braun, Waters, Jackson-Lee

I think that all 3 of those women are very good leaders of the black community. I voted for Sheila Jackson-Lee but the others are good as well. I don't like Sharpton, Mfume or Farrakhand. Jesse Jackson is OK, but not as good those 3 women. Cynthia McKinney is also OK but I don't think she is really helping her cause by being so controversial. I prefer more soft spoken people. I have actually never heard of the other two.

I would also take Artur Davis and Harold Ford, Jr very seriously. I think that they are up and coming stars in the democratic party. The two of them are very articulate and don't say stupid things like Sharpton and Mfume sometimes do.

[alaine]

5. Yes on Nelson Mandela, too.

Al Sharpton absolutely rules the presidential debates, he has a mind like a steel trap and there is no one else that can dissect right-wing spin in so eloquently yet in so few words as he does. He is amazing when he points out things like when he said the issue with Bush's tax plan was not how many people it was going to hurt, but that IT IS HURTING PEOPLE. He is the most eloquent speaker up there, and really has a grip on all the issues, if this country were colorblind he get the nomination.

I have really been impressed with a lesser known figure than any you mention, Salih Booker, who heads Africa Action, he has been getting alot of exposure on C-span and is an amazing speaker and as good with issues relating to Africa's current quest to not be victimized by the Bush admin (regarding agriculture and drugs for the AIDS pandemic) while at the same time needing aid in Liberia.

[proud patriot]

6. What about Tavis Smilely

He's an amazing fellow

[Syrinx]

7. I like my congressman Artur Davis

Did anyone catch his rebuttal to the presidential radio thingie Saturday?

(BTW, what radio stations air those things, I've never heard them on the radio. I caught it on CSPAN.)

[NewJerseyDem]

8. Did you like Earl Hilliard?

I didn't know much about him but Davis seems like an improvement. From what I read about it Davis really slammed Bush hard.

I don't know what stations have the radio addresses on. I have heard them on C-Span and CNN, but I think that CNN only has the president's.

[Syrinx]

10. No, I very much disliked Hilliard

He's a race-hustler and a criminal. Davis is a great freshman Congressman and a breath of fresh air.

[JasonBerry]

9. Charlie Rangle - always tells it like it is. No fear. N/T

~

[Fovea]

16. I support

Charlie on the Draft as well. He takes heat for it, but he was right.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. I voted for Al, but I could have voted for several.

Charlie Rangel, as another poster stated..no fear in that man.

The tragedy is that these fine leaders are dismissed as "unelectable", or merely patronized, when they should be in real leadership positions in the Democratic Party and the country. We (the country) aren't treating them nearly as badly as we are depriving ourselves of the kind of the voices that could truly lead us out of the wilderness.

[snyttri]

13. black leadership

I like Charlie Rangel and John Conyers.

[kainah]

18. And Mel Watt

When it comes to members of Congress, there are really a ton of outstanding members: Mel Watt, John Conyers, Charlie Rangel, Danny Davis, Alcee Hastings........... And then the women. Personally, I'm not real fond of Sheila Jackson-Lee because I think she's too much of a publicity hound but how about Barbara Lee? How could she not be on the list?? And, as mentioned above, John Lewis, of course.

[Sweetpea]

14. Interesting

[Syrinx]

15. Care to elaborate?

:)

[Sweetpea]

19. I don't know the background of people voting

but I am surprised that Mfume is getting more votes so far than Braun or Sharpton considering they are on the campaign trail, especially Sharpton because of his dominance in the debates.

[Julien Sorel]

24. Baggage.

Sharpton, in particular, carries racially divisive baggage. I think he's outgrown it to a certain extent, but the image is there, and always will be.

[sandnsea]

20. Sheila Jackson Lee

She just always seems to be right where she ought to be. Something big is up, she's right there. She just seems like a very dependable person, someone you could really count on to be in your corner.

[joanski01]

21. Also, I like Jessie Jackson, Jr.,

Charlie Rangle, and John Conyers. I like lots and lots of those in the House Black Caucus. And yes, I would vote for Al Sharpton.

[Isome]

22. What are you trying to do?

You've made it an either or proposition. It isn't. There are many different people who take up the mantle of leadership at some point, on some issue. Being that all those listed are in a position to influence people, all of them have their own spheres of influence. And, to be frank, all of them have valid arguments, or champion worthy issues at one time or another.

A little known fact: Louis Farakhan is highly respected among some Native American activists for his efforts to form a "Red & Black" partnership. In the background, there are happenings that would surprise many.

Where is Barbara Lee on the list, the only woman, Democrat, legislator, who stood against giving Bush god-like powers to make war?

Where is Cynthia McKinney on the list, rousted from office for saying the SAME things Bob Graham and Grassley (some republican guy) have said, but also smeared by quotes no one ever said? Not to mention, she was left twisting in the wind by the entire Democratic party during the mid-term elections!

There is not only ONE person who is taken seriously, or who is right about all things all the time. They are all qualified and willing to lead on any one of the panopoly of issues of concern to people of African descent.

[Sweetpea]

25. I didn't create the way the polls are constructed.

If I could change the set up , I would have said vote for all that you take serious and write in others.

I just did the poll in response to the negative commentary I have received about Jesse and Sharpton considering they are two of the most visible black leaders in the world. Yes, I know Mandela but he is not here. I am talking about leaders who will and can move young people out of their lull and get more involved with the process. It is a complicated problem with no easy solutions.

[jiacinto]

23. Of the ones listed the only

one I don't respect is Sharpton.

[donsu]

26. that was a hard pick

but I went with McKinney because she scares the crap out of the bushgang. And she is one brave woman.