Do Black Intellectuals Need to Talk About Race?

[ogc163]

A great convo with Kennedy and Christopher Edley Jr. on "Sellout"
Randall Kennedy: In Conversation with Christopher Edley, Jr. - FORA.tv

 

[No1]

I understand what you're saying, it's just that honestly I'm tired of hearing black (and mixed) people complaining about those who make it not talking about "black" issues, it's just that I feel that not every single black intellectual/entrepreneur/public figure should be some kind of spokeperson for others. If they want to adress those issues, great and more power to them for doing it. But I'm not really comfortable with holding it against them if they don't.

It's like every black person who makes it or is an intellectual should be some kind of leader too, I don't really understand this need for a leading figure. Intellectuals don't HAVE to talk about all the issues at hand, they all have particular areas of expertise, some might include race, some might not.

And about those not giving back to the community, I know some don't do it back in Africa because they know that too many jealous mfers will ask for one, then two, then twenty, or will just try for ways to f*ck you up one way or another. This may or may not happen in other communities/continents, but I don't know so I won't compare. I don't know if it's the same in the US, but then it's as much "the community's" fault that the token "intellectual" or guy/women who made it doesn't want to give back. Hell it's not because he comes out of this or that community that he was comfortable in it or feels that he "owes" something to it.

But I understand I have an outside point of view, so my experience might just lead to different opinions.

The bolded I can understand, but I don't even think you can compare the community dynamics. When people talk about those better off giving back in the US context they mean to low-income and impoverished people on a general basis. When it comes to Africans, it's more of an actual communal thing where everybody knows everybody or claims to be your family in some way. Some sort of uncle who knows damn well he's not blood-related to you, and is lying and will use that money for something else.

 

[mbewane]

The bolded I can understand, but I don't even think you can compare the community dynamics. When people talk about those better off giving back in the US context they mean to low-income and impoverished people on a general basis. When it comes to Africans, it's more of an actual communal thing where everybody knows everybody or claims to be your family in some way. Some sort of uncle who knows damn well he's not blood-related to you, and is lying and will use that money for something else.

That's so true breh I have these random "cousins" hitting me up on facebook

 

[Schmoove]

what is the threshold of "a certain amount of financial success"

please name 5 ppl that fit this description....that aren't in entertainment

There is no financial threshold.

The only thing that needs to exist is a self-sense of "I've made it."

A person with a sociology degree making 30,000/year for the State can end up on a panel discussion at a local HBCU & label him/herself as an intellectual.

Next thing you know, he/she writes a half-ass book on Black issues and ends up on a Washington Watch roundtable with Roland Martin...and boom. Another member of this pack of self-absorbed crowd.

 

[tru_m.a.c]

There is no financial threshold.

The only thing that needs to exist is a self-sense of "I've made it."

A person with a sociology degree making 30,000/year for the State can end up on a panel discussion at a local HBCU & label him/herself as an intellectual.

Next thing you know, he/she writes a half-ass book on Black issues and ends up on a Washington Watch roundtable with Roland Martin...and boom. Another member of this pack of self-absorbed crowd.

so first, how is this unique to black people

secondly, you're still talking with generalizations. you haven't given me 5 ppl that fit your original description, and you probably couldn't give me 5 ppl that fit the "half ass black book to washington roundtable" description. Stop creating false images to fit your anger. Be specific.

 

[theworldismine13]

EMANCIPATION 150: The State of the Black Economy- Events - The Greene Space - The Greene Space

i think this is a good example of a political scientist speaking on economics, which isnt his forte

 

[rantanamo]

As someone trying to join this group I can agree with what Dr. Glaude has to say. He brings up valid points. In academia in general, not just with black scholars, the atmosphere is plain wrought with capitalism. You have to eat, so people end up doing what gets them published and what moves them up the ladder. Its easy to look at this from the outside and criticize, but the competition is crazy even at smaller colleges. This leaves a lot of what society needs to be discussed on the outside. Doesn't hurt that he quotes C. Wright Mills either.

The "Bumping our gums" quote hits home. I've been told the same many times. Does our society even recognize or even want to hear what an intellectual has to say? All we've done over the last few years is trash academic pursuits that aren't vocational in nature. If what an intellectual has to say hits home or doesn't agree with someone's victimhood, they are shunned. There are black and other intellectuals writing relevant and progressive literature about race all the time. No one wants to hear it, including black people.

I'm working on a paper about school choice in some different areas of cities. Black people look at me like I'm nuts when I want to talk to them about it. Why is that? I'm trying to figure out phenomena and intelligently write about real situations to create real debate and discussion.

 

[jadillac]

what sad is, you'll NEVER see the term "white intellectuals", or "Asian intellectuals", or even "Hispanic intellectuals"......"black intellectuals" is an insult even in itself. It's like they think black people are just all dumb, with the exception of a few of us who have been civilized and taught how to speak/read or went to college.

Complete slave day mentality still.

 

[ogc163]

EMANCIPATION 150: The State of the Black Economy- Events - The Greene Space - The Greene Space

i think this is a good example of a political scientist speaking on economics, which isnt his forte

This is exactly what Professor Hart was talking about, on Bloggingheads Glenn Loury who is an economist has made it clear that he gets annoyed when Cornel West starts talking about economics because he is clearly overextending himself.

 

[theworldismine13]

what sad is, you'll NEVER see the term "white intellectuals", or "Asian intellectuals", or even "Hispanic intellectuals"......"black intellectuals" is an insult even in itself. It's like they think black people are just all dumb, with the exception of a few of us who have been civilized and taught how to speak/read or went to college.

Complete slave day mentality still.

I don't think it's that serious, I think the use of black intellectual is necessary becuase black people are a minority overall

 

[DEAD7]

Seems circular to me. Talking about it/making it an issue, keeps it alive and strong. Leaving it alone and letting it die may no be a bad approach.

 

[rapdonttweet]

I don't even think that is the issue. The real problem is brain drain in our communities. We achieve financial stability and immediately go live in a majority white enclave, creating a situation were those of us that do better have very little interaction and impact on those who are struggling.

Rich people in general don't give a fukk about poor people. I don't think its exclusive to blacks.

 

[jadillac]

I don't think it's that serious, I think the use of black intellectual is necessary becuase black people are a minority overall

Majority or minoirity has nothing to do with it.

It's still the same statement saying that "there are a few smart blacks.....but it's not the norm" When the reality is, it works that way for every race.

 

[theworldismine13]

Majority or minoirity has nothing to do with it.

It's still the same statement saying that "there are a few smart blacks.....but it's not the norm" When the reality is, it works that way for every race.

But again, it is factual that black people are under represented in intellectual circles, that's just reality

 

[Street Knowledge]

Rich people in general don't give a fukk about poor people. I don't think its exclusive to blacks.

EXACTLY