This is all reminescent of the Isbell Theory.

There is a Black Leadership vaccuum... but it's not for Black folks, it's for White folks. The leader and messiah being sought is *not* being sought by Black people, but by White people. The mainstream wants a national Black leader--a spokesperson really--so they can have someone to point to, someone to reason with, be angry at, hold onto, respect, hate or whatever, but make no mistake, it is a leader for *their* sakes, not for the sakes of Black people. By contrast, Black America is happy to go on being the non-monolithic people we've always been and to address our issues locally, individually and internally. I don't think we have a messiah fixation or a particular desire for a national leader.

Yes, it is. I think Black folks would get behind someone who was leading somewhere they're interested in going, but until that person shows up ain't nobody waiting.

I wholeheartedly agree, COBB...

I also think, as quiet as it is kept, that White America got the Black Leadership they thought they wanted (or rather thought it could perpetually manipulate).  But it's the old Catch A Tiger By His Toe syndrome.  Once they used their chosen Black Leadership up (and after the Black Masses ceased to be "unmanageable" as to call for such a "manager"), then they have to find more suitable Black Leadership or at least those that don't bother to make as much noise. 

As always, they've done quite enough for "you people".  How dare that Black Leadership they were nice enough to recognize ever show something other than supreme appreciation for being acknowledged by them.  How dare that Black Leadership deviate from the approved script and dare demand more than the crumbs White America is willing to concede and then only when "threatened"?

Plus, in this political climate, "liberal" Black Leadership is of absolutely no use to them - Republican or Democrat.  Well, at least the Democrat.  It's all about the White Voters.  Only Soccer Mom's and Nascar Dad's Need Apply... Or any such Black Leadership that can be manipulated to deliver Black votes for free - i.e. without firm demand... They're applications will be accepted and they can either move up on the fast track or stay in the mail room, as long as they're delivering with a smile.

Cobb...I think you're right on about this. In fact, I believe this tradition is long-standing and in evidence in many places across the diaspora. Many african cultures evolved in a manner in which individual leadership was secondary to the lives lived by the people. Organic leadership always requires more than one - but inspiration in a messiah figure has some value. The question of how much value remains sketchy. I think you nailed this one because the world simply does not have the time, energy or attention span to focus on one leader. White folks would simply use that leader for target practice.

Decentralized psychological insurgency is exceedingly difficult to organize and to maintain on any meaningful scale. Given the consolidated control of mainstream media, the organs of collective rememberance are much less vulnerable to hijacking than they were in King's day.

Farrakhan, Jackson, and Sharpton are no threat whatsoever to the status quo. Matter of fact, they're useful to the status quo because they're fully contained - there's no risk whatsoever of them ever getting loose in the system and causing any disruption.

Farrakhan, Jackson, and Sharpton are no threat whatsoever to the status quo. Matter of fact, they're useful to the status quo because they're fully contained - there's no risk whatsoever of them ever getting loose in the system and causing any disruption.

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