Million March Revolt (A Democratic blogger see's the light but.......)

Oliver Willis ^ | 17 October 2005 | Oliver Willis

[kipita]

I’ve never purported to be any sort of leader for black America. The current crop of “leadership” is rife with crackpots like Farrakhan (who also happens to be an anti-semite), and hustlers and shakedown artists like Sharpton/Jackson.

Sharpton never saw a camera he didn’t like. He regularly inserts race into issues they have no place being, and he is strongly in the “blame whitey first” camp even when it has no actual ground to stand on. Yeah, he was lively in the Democratic debates, but it was also disgusting to have him up there.

Jackson was once a shining star alongside Rev. King, but in his latter years it’s much more about Jesse than black America. He uses the Rainbow Coalition to address real grievances, but his remedies more often than not involve cutting a big check to Rainbow/PUSH.

Farrakhan is a race-baiting conspiracy monger. He’s the black David Duke, plain and simple.

Real black leadership, leadership that wants black Americans to go forward and fix its own problems can be found with folks like Barack Obama, Bill Cosby, and yes - Oprah. Though I have a strong distaste for the brand of empowerment he sells, even a guy like Russell Simmons is more useful and uplifting for black Americans. Even a guy like Colin Powell is a decent leader, if he hadn’t been led around on the nose by a guy like Bush. Sadly most of the black “leaders” on the right are simply front groups for the same caucasian funders on the right who would prefer for black people to roll over and play dead (BOND, Jesse Lee Peterson and that crowd).

I personally fall into the Bill Cosby camp. I think America has a legacy of racism that, while marginalized, still exists to this day. But I think we’re at the point where black Americans have a whole lot more to say and do about the future of black Americans than white Americans do. I think a culture that values dirty rap, sneakers, and basketball players is dooming itself to mediocrity. Until that changes, black Americans are screwed - and if we’re screwed, so is America.

[kipita]

Administration Moderator--please kill this if it breaks any rules.

Less than two years ago, I was a semi-Democratic supporter. I'm now solidly Republican but it took leaving America for me to "see the light" and realize I was wrong. This guy seems to taking the first steps.

[Tijeras_Slim]

One at a time, FRiend....

[Riley]

This is actually encouraging. Yes he's a Dem and yes we can disagree on things- but his points here are valid- and he doesn't come off like a shrill Moonbat headcase that you can't even talk to like so many 'mainstream' Democrats do these days.

[rdb3]

Farrakhan is a race-baiting conspiracy monger. He’s the black David Duke, plain and simple.

Hello! That's exactly right. I listened to this idiot go on and on about the Right and "neocons." It was hilarious.

Real black leadership, leadership that wants black Americans to go forward and fix its own problems can be found with folks like Barack Obama, Bill Cosby, and yes - Oprah. Though I have a strong distaste for the brand of empowerment he sells, even a guy like Russell Simmons is more useful and uplifting for black Americans. Even a guy like Colin Powell is a decent leader, if he hadn’t been led around on the nose by a guy like Bush. Sadly most of the black “leaders” on the right are simply front groups for the same caucasian funders on the right who would prefer for black people to roll over and play dead (BOND, Jesse Lee Peterson and that crowd).

Okay. I'll say this again and will continue to say it until I can't say it anymore. This paternalistic view that we as black people need "black leaders" could not be more wrong. Coming from the Right, even though from a non-conservative perspective, tribal thinking such as this is anathema. I believe what American blacks need more than anything else is individualism, not more groupthink.

If you want a Google GMail account, FReepmail me.
Also, please see The Backside of American History
You'll love this 187 page .pdf (1.99 MB)

[kipita]

I believe what American blacks need more than anything else is individualism, not more groupthink.

Exactly!

[Eagle of Liberty]

Welcome to the party!

You didn't have relatives in New Orleans, did you?

[.cnI redruM]

This is far and away the smartest thing I've ever seen Oliver Willis write. He basically has the right of this and is perceptive enough to see how atrophied the "Black Leadership" has become.

[photodawg]

I believe what American blacks need more than anything else is individualism, not more groupthink.
___________________________________________________

That's not only what Black Americans need, its what ALL AMERICANS need.

[Alexander Rubin]

This guy makes very valid, and easily supported points, even if I disagree with one or two. It's nice to see another American see the light.

By the by, go Cosby go!

[Fenris6]

"Yes he's a Dem and yes we can disagree on things- but his points here are valid- and he doesn't come off like a shrill Moonbat"

Ah, the good old days... when I too was a Democrat and my *enemies* would toss back a few rum & cokes and have a civil & enlightening discussion of our differences. [sigh] I miss the Democrat pary. RIP.