What current Black leader(s) do you admire the most?

[Robeson]

...Please list any current Black leader - can be political figure, religious, or otherwise - whom you admire the most. And secondly, do you think the Democratic Party does or does not work hard enough in working with and incorporating these leaders into the Democratic leadership structure?

Mine: Alan Page (avatar notwithstanding) who is a current Minnesota Supreme Court Justice . I think he would make an excellent U.S. Supreme Court nominee. That is, of course, if the Democrats will ever get to pick another nominee...

[TroubleMan]

1. Cynthia McKinney

She always speaks up for what's right....no matter how unpopular it is.

[tjdee]

2. I don't think there are, really, any black leaders today.

I think there are local leaders, and people some people know, but I don't see anyone rising to the level of MLK or Malcolm X.

Though, I'm too young to know what that was like.

I think it's good in some ways, like perhaps we don't feel we need to have one "leader" because things have improved...but in a way it's bad too.

I chafe at the idea of being lumped in with any group, so the leaderlessness doesn't bother me too much. Except when I think about it :) .

[Kahuna]

3. I don't think of leadership in terms of race. I think of leadership..

in terms of who represents my views and agenda. My agenda is, what's best for all Americans. I came to this conclusion under the Clinton administration. I believe that Clinton proved that good policies are race neutral. What's good for the least among us is good for the majority. Everyone is elevated by good social and economic policies that lift up the poor. Of course Reagan had, and bush has different ideas about that.

[FrenchieCat]

4. Here are my top two....but there are really many more than that.....

Julian Bond and Frances Berry.

Both have contributed to the advancement of the Black Communities in a very tangible and consistent manner.

Julian Bond, Executive Chairman of the NAACP, dares to speak out against the BushCo regime whenever possible. He is an examplerary role model that any young man or woman should want to emulate. His career is long and distinguish. He has been around and active for a very long time. He is a fighter and can articulate a very intelligent message.

Frances Berry, Chairperson of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, is best known for the work she did during and after the 2000 election. She doesn't take any mess and speaks for me whenever she is given a platform. I was very happy to see her endorse Wes Clark during the 2004 primaries. She has shown her dedication to civil rights and equality time and time again. She will not be cowed....and I always admire a fighter.

[Kahuna]

5. In retrospect, I'll name two. I admire Maxine Waters and Alcee Hastings..

They focus on truth and justice like a laserbeam. They try to use their positions to bring about positive change.

[AP]

6. Barbara Lee. Greg Meeks has given a few good speeches recently.

[JohnLocke]

7. Alcee Hastings

http://www.alceehastings.house.gov/

[American liberal]

8. Cornel West and Marian Wright Edelman

They are both front-line workers: Mr. West as an educator (Yale, I think), and Ms. Edelman as an advocate. (She is the founder of the Children's Defense Fund and has worked tirelessy for more than 30 years to improve living conditions for poor children.) You don't see Edelman in the corporate-owned media much anymore. No doubt it broke her heart when Bush dismantled Head Start last year. She has been pushing for expansion of that program--with some success until Bush came into office--for many years. Like Sisyphus, she keeps pushing that rock back up that hill, God bless her.

I fell in love with Mr. West after reading Race Matters. I've heard him speak on NPR (would love to go see him live), and he is just one of the most intelligent voices talking about human and democracy issues out there today.

And, although you may not consider them leaders, per se, I also am in love with Maya Angelou and Alice Walker. They carry such strong voices in their work.

Peace,
AL

[FrenchieCat]

9. I like Cornell West a lot...

he gave a talk (in a discussion panel forum) at my church early this summer. My husband and I went to see him. He was just articulate, profound and humorous.