NO. 5: The Lack of A Leader

I made a quick joke about Jesse Jackson in my last post. But this is real.

Jesse is, at heart, a good man, and we all have our indiscretions. But people don't look at him in the light with which he seemed to promise us back when MLK had in some ways anointed him. There is the infamous love child, which some people won't let the man live down no matter how much more good he does.

The thing is that the political black leader is no longer revered. Give thanks to Marion Barry and Jesse for that one. When it came to it, even Martin did his dirt. But his words and voice were so strong that they actual overshadowed the flaws, and immortalized his spoken values.

There is no voice that strong that can collectively bring together the black nation within America.

The Solution: Obama in '08 would be a significant start. But at this point, I don't think it's what will work best. The black man doesn't need an institution to define or assert power. We need someone we all will listen to, and find some semblance in his/her struggle and subsequent rise to success.

People wonder why Muhammad Ali was such as transcendent figure. It wasn't because of what he did in the ring. Don't get me wrong, he was a great fighter. But one solid left hook from Joe Frazier and Ali might not be considered the greatest athlete ever, let alone even the greatest boxer.

What made Ali Ali was his ability to lead thru his words and by example. Remember him not going to Vietnam? It was the most powerful political statement an American athlete ever made.

Where am I going? Mike Jordan shoulda stepped up long ago. Magic only did so, and I'm not saying it was a bad thing, because he contracted HIV and didn't have much of a choice.

The marquee athletes have always had the ability to speak their minds and say something profound knowing everyone will listen, but never do because they don't want to lose that endorsement with Sprite. Tiger Woods? Dude could probably hit a whiffle ball within a foot of his aim, but won't rally the people.

Same can be said for Jay-Z, and any other intelligent free-thinking black entity that could move the masses. If just one of these people would realize they have enough money to sustain their grandkids grandkids and that they don't really need that much more money, then we might get some where.

At this point, the only people who say things with any serious political fervor are Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle (Could people please stop misspelling this dude's name?). Two strong voices, but someone say something every three years in an HBO Special won't change too much.