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Dear Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton,
*We’re at either a propitious or ominous moment, depending on one’s vantage point. It’s more that just numerology or coincidence how historical moments in our people’s past have converged as of late.
It’s the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, the birthplace of America and “African-Americans” as we term ourselves today. It’s the 150th anniversary of the infamous Dred Scott decision and conversely the 60th anniversary of the major league debut of Jackie Robinson. And of course, we’re all aware it’s the 30th anniversary of the landmark miniseries Roots and even the 15th of the Los Angeles civil disturbances. One could argue that our ancestors are speaking in unison with a message that rang true in 1607 and all the intervening years leading up to today in 2007.
African-Americans desire and deserve leadership that can discern “right” from “righteous.”
With that in mind I took painstaking steps to retrace just how and where exactly both of you gentlemen came to hold the office of “Black Leaders” in 2007.
I don’t think I missed any general election, but you are free to correct me if I’m wrong. Also, while doing my research, I didn’t happen across any CNN exposé, USA Today editorial or even a Gallup or ESPN.com poll which quantified or qualified how either of you ascended to the throne of “Black Leader.” I even asked everyone, both young and old at my AME church and nobody could offer a clear and concise answer that satisfied my curiosity as to how we came to this point. So, I ask you the question, was it by election, appointment, military coup or executive decision? With all due respect to your respective civil rights résumés, past exploits don’t answer the question.
Nevertheless, most of the media says you are “Black Leaders,” so then it must be true, right?
That said; if you two gentlemen are “our” leaders, then ipso facto, I as an African-American am a member of your “constituency.” And if you collectively admonish African-Americans to hold their political leaders accountable, then you too must be called on to the carpet.
Although I’m a member of your “constituency,” I did not vote for either of you (read: there wasn’t a vote at all). I wasn’t consulted during the development of your platform(s) and was never apprised of any talking points you’d be using in the media.
I can say for certain that I am part of a real, measurable and sizable contingent that you do not represent. You do not speak for me and others like me for you are not in concert with our views, our mores or our socioeconomic goals. I’m part of the legions of African-Americans who believe that a press conference to declare a moratorium on the use of the N-word was as poorly conceived as the public statements made by both of you in the wake of the alleged Duke rape case. I am part of the portion of your constituency who demands its leaders be more than just “right,” but also “righteous.”
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been “right” to preach self-defense for African-Americans and self-preservation through violence. Many did argue it was the “right” thing to do; you both know this truth all too well. But non-violence was the righteous response.
Righteousness is the culmination of upright, circumspect and honorable words and deeds that benefit the whole of humanity, not just Black folks. Righteousness supersedes color, gender or any social construct developed in Jamestown 1607, or promulgated in the German army in 2007. Righteousness possesses immeasurable compassion and an unflinching, keen stare. If this were math class, this would be my geometric proof. All things righteous are inherently right but not all things “right” are righteous.
I desire righteous leadership.
I desire more than stale platitudes that fit nicely into newscast highlight packages. I demand leadership who understands the reasons you Rev. Jackson and you Rev. Sharpton should be compelled to apologize for rushing to judge the accused in the Duke lacrosse case are inextricably linked to why you rightfully berated Don Imus to do the same. Your desire to be righteous must outweigh your desire to whimsically demand apologies.
I desire, deserve and demand only righteous leadership.
It’s no longer enough to scare corporate America into withdrawing its support from a White radio host who disrespects African-American women. Righteous leadership knows the disrespect of African-American women is far more pervasive than just a single morning show…and acts accordingly.
Righteous leadership understands that any course of action leading to a social climate even MORE hostile to African-Americans just for the sake of being “right”…is simply wrong. Such unrighteous leadership is reminiscent of why this country continues to struggle for success in Iraq. Despite how “right” America may have been in wanting to depose Saddam Hussein, our invasion and occupation were anything but righteous in nature.
I need a new brand of African-American leadership, one which understands the cost of ill-conceived decision-making and its dire consequences. I’m talking about leadership that understands why bludgeoning an ant with a sledgehammer is a bad idea on any and all occasions. It’s leadership that understands that although the ant is gone, there is now a gaping hole in the floor, the wall and uncontrollable openings for thousands more ants to follow.
The Don Imus debacle did not broker more respect for African-Americans, it simply bred more contempt.
Righteous leadership understands a priori that bringing Don Imus on a radio show which only airs on 21 station around the country, three of which are in Little Rock, Arkansas…for the sake of “apologizing to the whole of African-Americans” is a joke. It’s antithetical to righteousness and in lock-step with the gross self-aggrandizement so often associated with “Black Leaders.”
It begs the question…how can a “Black Leader” purport to speak for the wide and varied African-American masses when his “message” isn’t even heard by the masses? Last I checked, 21 stations, (none in the top-5 markets in America) are ill-equipped to reach the majority of African-Americans, much less accurately gauge our collective consciousness. 1/7th of African-Americans don't live in Little Rock.
Righteous leadership doesn’t need this explained to them either Rev. Sharpton, it already knows better.
If the goal was reaching the greatest amount of Black radio listeners with his apology, he should’ve been steered to the Tom Joyner Morning Show. If the goal was forwarding an individual agenda, then mission accomplished. Righteous leadership would’ve eschewed ego and ratings and instead opted for common sense and the greater good.
I can no longer accept these paltry, tarnished trinkets of lukewarm affection. I need more than just threats of protest in front of CBS. I need the same in front of BET too.
My Sistahs, my wonderful partners in African-Americandom are catching far more hell than just Don Imus and truly righteous leadership implicitly understands these truths. I need someone who we as African-Americans don’t have to worry about the scarlet letter “h” of hypocrisy staining their precious $1000.00 suits. That is to say, neither the scarlet letter nor the $1000.00 suits. I need leadership intuitively aware that justice, honor and respect are not mutually exclusive “either/or” propositions but instead a “both/and/all” end destination.
It is no longer enough to offer empty rhetoric packaged in fiery oratory, served with opulent garnish. It’s time for something more substantive than smooth, slicked-back no-lye relaxed hair and coarse criticism of Senator Barack Obama’s candidacy.
I need righteous leadership and I must have it now.
African-Americans have always been in need of advocates, but also we need someone who is at least capable of self-critique in a personal and collective sense. We as African-Americans must stop acting as if the whole of our problems are to be blamed on someone else. Righteous leadership appreciates the value of a broom and dust pan and is open to the idea of cleaning our own house in addition to just complaining about the neighbors’ yards.
If neither of you is capable of that, then please vacate your office, abdicate your throne…whatever one needs to do to rescind your “power.” And then post the job openings on Blackamericaweb.com and see if we can do better elsewhere.
In 1989, film director Spike Lee said to “Do the Right Thing.” My reformulation of that advice is to “do the righteous thing.”
I, along with the whole of African-Americans desire, deserve and demand leadership more concerned with righteousness and less with being “right”... in front of the camera.
Oh…and speaking of anniversaries, this November marks the 20th anniversary of Tawana Brawley too…just FYI.
Morris W. O'Kelly
The Mo'Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse...as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mokellyreport.blogspot.com. Morris W. O'Kelly can be reached at mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.
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