During the 60's, we had the late Fred Hampton (leader of Chicago Chapter of The Black Panthers, H. Rap Brown, the late Stokely Carmicheal, Malcolm X, poet Sonia Sanchez, Angela Davis, poet Amiri Baraka et al. They were the voice of Black America and oh, what powerful words they spoke. What was spoken to us was deep and thought provoking. It came directly from the pool halls, the bars, from the people who went to church, the beauty shop, the barber shop and the grocery store. It challenged not only the white power structured; it dared them to deny the truth of what was said. But a generation later, there is no Black intellect. Just Black pundits with agendas, being paid by the white power structure to say what they think we want to hear. And just exactly what is it that Black people think today?I'm not really clear. Frankly, I haven't heard anything deep coming from anyone in the black community since I was a small child.
What exactly is the role of a Black intellectual? BAR editor and columnist Marsha Coleman-Adebayo says, "The Black intellectual shows her worth by contributing to the “distribution of knowledge and skills” – and by telling the truth." Link: http://blackagendareport.com/content/role-black-intellectuals
I agree.
Our people have the power to change the world. The African American has been one of the most impressive in the world. We went from being slaves to having the most known figures in modern history.
It is very necessary, in my opinion, for Black people to keep the intellectual lines of communication open. Knowledge is power and information is critical, but all to common these days; people seem to have tuned out. What is on your mind? Do you know?
You will never change what you tolerate.
Apathy is death.
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