Uptown Notes

This past week I had the opportunity to listen to Vincent Harding who is truly a living gem. He reminded me of many things, not the least of which was Ella Baker. After hearing multiple reactions to the debates and other discussions of Black leadership, I’m going to post a couple of thoughts here about leadership and Black folks. First, two scoops of Ms. Baker,

“I have always felt it was a handicap for oppressed peoples to depend so largely upon a leader, because unfortunately in our culture, the charismatic leader usually becomes a leader because he has found a spot in the public limelight. . .”

“There is also the danger in our culture that because a person is called upon to give public statements and is acclaimed by the establishment, such a person gets to the point of believing that he is the movement.”

Next is a excerpt from last year’s State of the Black Union by the legendary Julia Hare as she breaks down Black relationships, leaderships, and a bunch of ish.