What Happened to Black Intellectualism?

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.

The Butterfly Effect

Once upon a time there was a girl who was trapped inside her cocoon.  She hid there because it was safe and no one could bother her.  Years went by and that cocoon was a constant shelter, but as the girl began to grow; the cocoon began to feel cramped and suddenly one day, it cracked.  Alarmed, the girl tried to repair the cracks, but as she would cover up one, others would appear.  Then one day, the cocoon completely shattered.  And out of the cocoon; the girl was exposed to the elements. It scared her.   She felt the cold and the heat and had to learn to weather storms and take shelter from the rain.  This began to toughen her.  She suddenly realized how confident she was becoming.  Then she began to take more risks and leave her comfort zone. She suddenly discovered all the wonders that were surrounding her and the more she traveled; she learned even more.  Her growth was continuing and one day while strolling by a river, she saw her reflection and noticed that her form had changed.  She had wings.  A slight wind blew and all at once she began to fly.  Up, up, up she went.  Higher and higher.  She giggled.  It was fun. The freedom was exhilarating and she danced in the sunlight. The rays of the sun shined on her wings and the colors became ever so bright.   She liked this feeling and as she flew higher, a voice came from the sky.  She asked who it was and when it answered, it told her that no longer did she need to hide in a cocoon, for now she was a butterfly.