The Civil Rights Movement was the crowning moment for Black Americans in their struggle for equality. As a result, Black people have a never-ending love affair with Martin Luther King, Malcom X, and Rosa Parks. You see, black people, more than most other groups, have a need for leaders.
As a black person, Martin Luther King holds a place in White America’s heart matched only by Oprah, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods. His feats are so grand, so courageous, and so respected that not even haters [see post 3] will speak ill of him. What other black man has an entire day dedicated to him? Granted, Virginia tried to celebrate two Confederate war leaders on the same day, but at least he was one 1/3 of the party.
Black people love Martin Luther King and Malcolm X so much, in every urban area they petition their local governments to name streets in their honor. Politicians oblige by allowing only the finest neighborhoods to bear their names, ensuring that these men’s legacies lives on. Yes, black residents on every MLK avenue, street, and boulevard give his name the proper respect by littering the sidewalks with violence, drugs, prostitution, guns, underage pregnancy, and liquor stores on every corner–all things the Reverend fought and died to uphold (or was that Biggie?)
However, since Malcolm and Martin’s untimely deaths, there have been no competent black leaders to replace them. King was the 60′s Barack Obama. He was the “good black man” yet he still encouraged Blacks to stand up for their rights and not sit in complacency. Malcolm was a rogue leader, frightening to Whites but able to move his people to action. After their assassinations, Blacks were left with a loud fat man with bad hair (Sharpton), an angry, blatant racist (Farrakhan), and a rhyming gimmicky perpetrator of fraud (Jesse Jackson) to represent the community. The results have not been all that compelling.
Most black people hate the new options, but see no better alternative . Black Code says it is impossible for a black neighborhood to rally change from within, so they sit and watch their communities crumble, grumble about the White man doing nothing to help them, and snicker when Sharpton makes another press conference in the name of the black race.
Should you ever engage in conversation with Blacks about great leaders, always bring up Martin Luther King. No matter how upstanding or delinquent the group may be, they will all smile and nod in agreement as you sing his praises. Bringing up the Great Black Hope (Obama) is also a good bet.
If you really want to impress, compliment Malcolm X or Huey Newton for their passion and dedication. Say you completely understand their anger towards the Man . Saying “By any means necessary” is a plus. Be careful here, though–some suburban Blacks are more protective over White people than White people themselves. These kinds of Black people don’t like revolutionary Black leaders. If the Blacks you’re with have less Black friends than you, don’t pull this card.
