These principled human rights activists never experienced the inevitable tangential long term financial rewards - as Tavis Smiley conceivably may - accompanying the continued orchestrating of corporately funded media productions in which the egregious plight of the African American is debated and articulated by leading scholars and activists, seemingly void any real intention of harnessing the ideas proposed therein to the extent a formidable movement would surface.
Nor did Dr. King or Malcolm X accept financial contributions to their respective organizations - SCLC and the OAAU - from corporate entities they themselves deemed as purveyors of racial injustice, as reflected in these institutions' business practices directed toward African Americans, as has Al Sharpton with respect to the funding the National Action Network has received from General Motors, Chrysler and American Honda; all entrepreneurial bodies - an attending corporate branch in regard to Chrysler - the preacher has previously classified in this manner.
In the absence of those uncompromisingly virtuous leaders, as defined by the manner in which both Malcolm X and Dr. King courageously sought to uplift humanity in challenging those forces which have and continue to preserve and further cultivate an unbalanced social order, Americans of African descent have fallen from the ranks of those formidable groups in which government figures had to contend, to that of a rather prostrate population, officials very seldom take seriously.
Executive Branch declarations, in which a comprehensive plan succinctly detailing those initiatives the government intends to enact in working to alleviate the execrable condition in which the African-American community finds itself, are often replaced by carefully crafted speeches designed to obscure the addressing of these issues, as the unique plight of those emerging from this group are presented within the context of that of the larger society and their dashed hopes in achieving social wealth.
Attending legislative mandates that would be employed in addressing the needs of Black populations - if in fact law makers were engaging a politically revered group - give way to religious gatherings in which the singing of, "We Shall Overcome," over locked arms and gleeful smiles abound. This once substantive vocal expression - rooted in civil disobedience - symbolizing a peoples' continued pursuit of liberty, now reduced to a mere mockery of itself, in the face of illusionary movements which function to only curtail the acquirement of such an objective, often facilitated and directed by the very leaders entrusted to bring this desired intention to fruition.
If the African-American public is to experience a resurgence to the extent significantly greater levels of social, political and economic justice prevail among its peoples, only those leaders who may be classified as authentic must be permitted to head its fight. For the obtainment of such a societal state, will not be secured by paradoxical preachers or media operatives and must not be predicated on a desperate hope an independent unilateral act spawns from an arch political figure seemingly apprehensive to even publicly mention the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The procurement of universal prosperity for those of African ancestry will only find its expression when such populations are guided by those principled and loyal leaders, who dare to bring forth such a dream, by any means necessary.
Frederick Alexander Meade is a journalist providing analysis on social and political matters. The author's works appear in publications and news magazines internationally. The writer may be reached at: meade1900@yahoo.com
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