By Hazel Trice Edney
Amsterdam News

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – U. S. Senate Candidate Barack Obama, singled out for his exceptional speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, says Blacks have moved past the need for a single national leader. “We’re beyond the point where we just have one messiah,” Obama says in an NNPA interview during the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference. “What we need is collective leadership helping to move the ball forward. I think everybody’s got a contribution to make.”

The 42-year-old Illinois state senator, former civil rights lawyer and Harvard law school graduate, became a household word after his rousing prime-time speech. Some pundits immediately hailed Obama as the “Tiger Woods” of politics, and predicted that he will eclipse Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in popularity.

“There are people like myself, who hopefully can work within an institution like the United States Senate and do important work,” he says, rejecting the notion that African-Americans must choose between he, Jackson or Sharpton. “There are going to be other people like Rev. Sharpton, who will be using a different platform. And, I don’t think those things are contradictory. Rev. Jackson is a constituent and family friend, and he was an important early supporter of my campaign. I continue to draw from the wisdom and knowledge of those who paid enormous sacrifices to help people like myself have the opportunities that I do.”

Read the entire article at:

http://www.amsterdamnews.org/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=3448&sID=3

By Hazel Trice Edney
Amsterdam News
“There are people like myself, who hopefully can work within an institution like the United States Senate and do important work,” he says, rejecting the notion that African-Americans must choose between he, Jackson or Sharpton. “There are going to be other people like Rev. Sharpton, who will be using a different platform. And, I don’t think those things are contradictory. Rev. Jackson is a constituent and family friend, and he was an important early supporter of my campaign. I continue to draw from the wisdom and knowledge of those who paid enormous sacrifices to help people like myself have the opportunities that I do.”

Read the entire article at:

http://www.amsterdamnews.org/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=3448&sID=3

This is very interesting and timely in that in another thread, we were just discussing whether African Americans need a leader. I agree with Obama in that a single "leader" isn't the solution but I also know that this isn't a new concept either. Just looking at our Civil Rights history in America clearly shows how issues faced by Black people can be articulated by more than one Black leader at the same time. The issue though is, are we interested in one voice speaking for all Black people or a number of Black voices speaking for all Black people? Is it important that we move in one direction or be pulled in many different directions? Do Obama, Sharpton, Jesse and Farrakhan all have the same interests, purpose and message? On a political level, which is most important?

Queenie :spinstar:

I prefer to have Obama speak for me, than Sharpton, Jesse and Farrakhan if I had to pick, Obama is the lesser out of the 4 evils.

This is very interesting and timely in that in another thread, we were just discussing whether African Americans need a leader. I agree with Obama in that a single "leader" isn't the solution but I also know that this isn't a new concept either. Just looking at our Civil Rights history in America clearly shows how issues faced by Black people can be articulated by more than one Black leader at the same time. The issue though is, are we interested in one voice speaking for all Black people or a number of Black voices speaking for all Black people? Is it important that we move in one direction or be pulled in many different directions? Do Obama, Sharpton, Jesse and Farrakhan all have the same interests, purpose and message? On a political level, which is most important?

Queenie :spinstar:

Greetings, Queenie!(smile!)

I agree with Mr. Obama wholeheartedly... It is just practical for us to move in many different directions - social, economic, political, education, religion, and so on... We need leadership in all of these areas, and no one individual should be vested with the responsibility of charting our course in all of these areas... In the past, we have had leaders who deigned themselves geniuses, and took on the responsibility of doing all of these things unsuccessfully... We have to stop doing our business in this way...

Another weakness in the ONE leader/messianic concept is that once that leader is taken from us, where are we at, and what do we do??? Leaders like Dr. King never really developed leaders to take his place, so a Jesse Jackson stepped into that void without advise or consent... We didn't elect this cat nor select him... He just stepped into the void... Well, had our leaders developed some leaders, their would never have been a void, and there would've been a smooth transition from one leader to another...

Another weakness in this One messianic leader piece is that it seems always to be an African male... Why is that??? African women cannot lead us as a people, she cannot stand out in front as the most prominent of our leaders??? Well, history tells us a different story... I think we need to prepare women to lead the Black nation... It would give these rappers something to think about, no???(smile!) But, seriously, women have as much right to lead, and be strong for the African community as men, and I frankly am waiting for the day when we will become so enlightened as to entertain AFrican female leadership in a serious way...

But, like I said, I think that Obama is on the money with his observations... We do not, nor have we ever needed, a Big Chief and a whole lotta indians leading us... We need leadership in every aspect of our lives, and we should begin targeting people for these areas when they are very young...

Peace!
Isaiah

Sheep only respond to the call of the shepherd, otherwise they're lost...

Sheep only respond to call of the shepherd, otherwise they're lost...
the Shepard, isn't he the one who eats the sheep?

I would suggest to you that its wool was more valuable to the shepherd than its flesh...they were his only source of clothing...

Sheep only respond to call of the shepherd, otherwise they're lost...

Brother Aqil ... who is your shepherd, as it relates to this discussion?

:heart:

Destee

I have several, Destee. In addition to your state senator, I like Maryland Cong. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the CBC, Cong. Harold Ford of Tennessee, and Cong. Chaka Fatah of Pennsylvania...

:heart:

Do you have a shepherd, Destee...as it relates to this discussion?

:heart:

Do you have a shepherd, Destee...as it relates to this discussion?

:heart:

No Brother Aqil, i don't think i do. As i ponder which man or woman's call would i respond to, hmmmm ... as it relates to this discussion ... follow them just because they are "my shepherd" ... no, i can't say that i have anyone at this point in my life, that i have that much confidence in.

"Shepherd and sheep" almost implies following blindly, without question, doesn't it?

Prior to my Mother's death, i would certainly have named her ... and if God saw fit to let me hear her voice right now, i would surely hearken unto it ... but i don't think that qualifies, does it?

There are many that i admire. Many that i'd listen intently to, and no doubt consider their words worthy of acting on ... but to give them some sort of "shepherd status" ... no, i can't say i know any living man or woman with that kind of influence in my life.

Does this mean i'm lost?

:heart:

Destee

First of all, you must understand that sheep are totally defenseless animals...and are a favorite food of wolves. The shepherd feeds and protects his flock, for they cannot defend themselves, and drives the wolf from the sheep's throat. They thank their leader for saving their lives, while the wolf denounces him for denying it a meal. As you can see, the sheep and the wolf do not agree upon a definition of liberty...:)

There is another aphorism from the East that says:

"Without a shepherd, sheep are not flock..."

Secondly, when I asked you if you had a "shepherd," I was referring to a political leader. Are you voting in the general election? If so, who are you voting for?

(This would be a great subject/discussion for voice chat.)

:heart:

I have several, Destee. In addition to your state senator, I like Maryland Cong. Elijah Cummings, chairman of the CBC, Cong. Harold Ford of Tennessee, and Cong. Chaka Fatah of Pennsylvania...

:heart:
First of all, you must understand that sheep are totally defenseless animals...and are a favorite food of wolves. The shepherd feeds and protects his flock, for they cannot defend themselves, and drives the wolf from the sheep's throat. They thank their leader for saving their lives, while the wolf denounces him for denying it a meal. As you can see, the sheep and the wolf do not agree upon a definition of liberty...

There is another aphorism from the East that says:

"Without a shepherd, sheep are not flock..."

Secondly, when I asked you if you had a "shepherd," I was referring to a political leader. Are you voting in the general election? If so, who are you voting for?

(This would be a great subject/discussion for voice chat.)

Hello My Dear Darling Brother Aqil ... :love:

I quoted your previous comment above, because you didn't list either of the presidential candidates as your shepherd, yet you ask me which am i going to vote for ... as though my presidential vote is indicative of my choice of a "shepherd." I don't understand how who i vote for has anything to do with who my shepherd is?!

I understand the "shepherd / sheep" analogy as it pertains to our spiritual lives, but i don't see how you are bringing it into this discussion, which is why i asked who are your shepherds.

I understand that in a spiritual sense, we are taught that the shepherd leads, guides, and protects us ... but in this real world ... there is no one that i feel totally defenseless against. Nor is there anyone that is feeding, leading, or protecting me daily.

Matter of fact, i don't know of any politicians that are feeding, leading, or protecting Black folk.

Are you suggesting that the folk you mentioned above, are doing these things for you? If they are, then i might need to get in their sheep line.

You never answered my question from before ... does this mean i'm lost?

:heart:

Destee

sheep are totally defenseless animals...
that being the case, how did the sheep survive before the Shepard came?

You never answered my question from before ... does this mean i'm lost?If you are a sheep with no shepherd you are...:)

I quoted your previous comment above, because you didn't list either of the presidential candidates as your shepherd, yet you ask me which am i going to vote for ... as though my presidential vote is indicative of my choice of a "shepherd." I don't understand how who i vote for has anything to do with who my shepherd is?!I am a registered Democrat, and my choice for president is Sen. John Kerry...my political "shepherd," so to speak...

Are you suggesting that the folk you mentioned above, are doing these things for you? If they are, then i might need to get in their sheep line.No, they're not from NY...your state senator, and soon-to-be U.S. Senator Barack Obama, (D-Ilinois) - is the man! He's going to continue being a good shepherd for the people of your state...:)

No, they're not from NY...your state senator, and soon-to-be U.S. Senator Barack Obama, (D-Ilinois) - is the man! He's going to continue being a good shepherd for the people of your state...:)

What good is it to have a shepherd, if they aint feed'n and protect'n you?

It seems you're no better off with them, than i am without them.

:heart:

Destee

that being the case, how did the sheep survive before the shepherd came?This is from Sheep History:

As early as 10,000 years ago, in Central Asia, man had discovered that the animal "sheep" could provide him with both covering and food. At first, man used the sheep's fleece as a kind of a tunic. Then, around 3500 BC, man discovered how to spin wool. Fragments of knitted fabric have been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to the 5th Century BC.

In the Middle Ages, European farmers discovered that sheep were the most productive of all livestock. In addition to producing meat, wool, and skins for making parchment paper, sheep were milked. It was estimated that 20 ewes would provide enough milk to make 5 pints of butter and 250 pounds of cheese. By the 14th century, whole herds of sheep were being milked in England.

In America, the first sheep were originally from Spain and were introduced into southwestern United States in 1519 by Spanish troops under Cortez. It is thought that the flocks of sheep belonging to the Native American Navajos are descended from multi-colored sheep brought to North America by the Spanish.

Fifteen years after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, they purchased 40 sheep from the Dutch colonists on Manhattan Island. The first British sheep were brought to Virginia in 1609 by the London Company. Gradually, with sheep smuggled into the new country, the flocks were large enough that the colonists were able to ship wool to other countries in exchange for trade goods. This enraged the English government and the punishment for trading sheep or wool was to have the offender's right hand cut off.

Along with the passage of the Stamp Act, resentment over British restrictions on the sheep and wool industry led to the Revolutionary War. Spinning and weaving were considered patriotic acts. Home-knitting was also encouraged as those who produced knitted cloth received 6 pounds of tobacco for each yard of cloth they produced.

George Washington raised sheep on his Mount Vernon estate. Both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson wore suits made from American wool to their presidential inaugurations.

In the early 1800's, the United States imported Merino sheep from Spain. In the middle of the 19th century, pioneers seeking new lands in western and northwestern United States brought sheep with them. Eventually, the sheep from eastern herds were mixed with the Spanish sheep in the southwest.

Today, about 85% of all breeding sheep in the United States are west of the Mississippi River, mainly in the western range states.

http://www.cyberspaceag.com/farmanimals/sheep/sheephistory.htm

What good is it to have a shepherd, if they aint feed'n and protect'n you?It is the duty of the shepherd to protect your right to feed and protect yourself...that's why we vote, isn't it?

It seems you're no better off with them, than i am without them.You're going to be much better off with Sen. Obama and President John Kerry...Barack might even come to voice chat if you invite him...:)

Why Kerry Is Better Than Bush For The Black Economy - An Open Letter to the African-American Community

During the last half of the 1990s, under President Clinton, the unemployment rate and poverty levels for African-Americans reached record lows, and the employment rate and income of African Americans reached record highs. There was shared economic prosperity. However, the last three years have seen a shocking turn around in the economic well-being of Americans, and especially of African-Americans. From May 1998 to July 2001, the unemployment rate for African-Americans remained below 9%. But, the African-American unemployment rate has reached double-digit levels 25 months of the 44 months President Bush has been in office. We are writing because we feel the depth of this change is linked to economic policy choices, and is not simply the effect of a change in the international political climate.

On President Bush’s watch, unemployment rates rose dramatically, inflation-adjusted income fell, poverty rates have risen, as well as the number of people without employment-based health insurance coverage. The President has the worst record of any President in the post World War II era in pursuing policies to create jobs.

During all previous economic downturns, the drop in the number of workers on the nation's payrolls has recovered at least after 31 months. We are now over 40 months past the onset of the March 2001 recession, and are still down over 1.5 million jobs on the private sector payrolls.

The economic policy prescription has been aggressive income tax cuts. The last tax cut took effect in July 2003. The president's economic advisors predicted that even without a tax cut, the economy would generate almost 3.2 million jobs over the year by July 2004, and the tax cut would provide an additional 1.1 million jobs. The current policies have not produced the jobs promised, has failed to return us to past levels of employment, and most disturbingly, not created the jobs the President's economists advised could have been done without the tax cuts.

The Congressional Budget Office has reported that the effect of the income tax cuts has been to shift the federal tax burden toward the middle class, and away from those at the highest income levels. This includes shifting the burden of taxes to fall heavily on African-Americans. So, the failure of those tax policies to generate jobs, shifts a double burden on African-Americans - to suffer the unprecedented calamity in the labor market, and of the tax burden.

Our analysis of President Bush's economic policies show those policies to ignore the effects of growing federal deficits, growing trade deficits and growing personal debt levels, making it unlikely that a second term of trickle down policies can produce sustainable growth. Even if it did, it would lead to greater economic and social inequality. Simply put, we find the economic policies of President Bush to have failed, with no promise of the policies restoring the economic well-being of the nation, and especially of African-Americans.

We find very promising several of the economic policies proposed by Senator John Kerry. Collectively, they provide a greater chance for shared prosperity and not a continued growth in inequality:

Letting some of President Bush's tax cuts end, as is currently set in legislation, and freeing those resources to address the current health insurance crisis faced by American workers would benefit the uninsured and the underinsured, especially those in the African-American community.

Investing heavily in the development of new fuel efficiency technology for the U.S. auto industry should help to keep American manufacturing healthy, as well as our environment and would address that portion of our trade deficit brought on by oil imports.

Raising the minimum wage will help correct the wage deflation that has occurred under President Bush.

Aiding the budgets of state and local governments helps low income and African-Americans in a big way. A disproportionate share of state budgets go to pay for states' share of Medicaid costs, and a very disproportionate share of low income and African-American children rely on Medicaid as their access to health insurance. Support for states will help the general bottom line for states, and so this will keep states from being forced to contain their Medicaid costs, which is normally done by limiting eligibility and thus access to health insurance.

Removing tax incentives for American corporations to ship US jobs overseas will help keep jobs in the US, and this will definitely help keep entry-level jobs for middle class America and African Americans.

Being more supportive of the enforcement of civil rights laws means that the effects of discrimination will not exacerbate the problems of a weak labor market.
Senator Kerry’s economic priorities and policies are more likely to help the economic well-being of all Americans, but particularly African-Americans. It is our considered opinion that the economic policies proposed by Senator John Kerry will provide a greater chance of creating a period of shared prosperity.

(The undersigned set of individual African-American economists, speaking on their own behalf, represent some of the most accomplished African-American economists. They have held senior positions in all areas of national economic policy, with the Federal Reserve, the Executive Branch in various federal departments, and key Congressional offices. Many of them have served as president of the National Economic Association - the professional organization of African-American economists (though they are not acting on behalf of the NEA) and numerous other professional economic associations. These comments do not necessarily reflect the position of their current or former institutions.)

Dr. Marcus Alexis, Northwestern University
Dr. Richard America, Georgetown University
Dr. Bernard Anderson, University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Charles Betsey, Howard University
Dr. Thomas Boston, Georgia Tech
Dr. Cecelia Conrad, Pomona College
Dr. William Darity, Duke University and Univ. of North Carolina--Chapel Hill
Dr. Karl Gregory
Dr. Edward Irons, Clark Atlanta University
Dr. Julianne Malveaux
Dr. Patrick Mason, Florida State University
Dr. Edward Montgomery, University of Maryland
Dr. William Rodgers, III, Rutgers University
Dr. Margaret Simms
Dr. William Spriggs, formerly National Urban League
Dr. James Stewart at Penn State University at State College

This Open Letter Was Submitted To BlackElectorate.com By The Campaign Of Democratic Presidential Nominee John Kerry. Similar Issue-Oriented Submissions Are Welcome On Behalf Of Other Presidential Candidates, Regardless Of Partisan Affiliation, Until The November 2004 General Election.

My Dearest Brother Aqil ... first you said ...

The shepherd feeds and protects his flock, for they cannot defend themselves, and drives the wolf from the sheep's throat.

Now you say ...

It is the duty of the shepherd to protect your right to feed and protect yourself...that's why we vote, isn't it?

Those are two different statements. Which is it?

Since the first Black person voted in this country, and long before, the wolves have been at our throat. No shepherd in history have kept their foot off of our neck.

I think what you are suggesting is part of the problem ... having us expect some "shepherd" to get up there and (successfully) fight for us. It's not happened yet, and i don't believe this next set of elections will be any different.

We must "shepherd" ourselves because i believe the shepherd is in bed with the wolf.

We all know the shepherd slept with the sheep, and he's probably doing the wolf right now (or gett'n done).

:heart:

Destee

My Dearest Brother Aqil ... first you said ...

The shepherd feeds and protects his flock, for they cannot defend themselves, and drives the wolf from the sheep's throat.Now you say ...

It is the duty of the shepherd to protect your right to feed and protect yourself...that's why we vote, isn't it?Those are two different statements. Which is it?In my first statement I was referring to the animal...in my second statement I was referring to those political "shepherds" we vote for...like your state senator and the presidential candidates...

Since the first Black person voted in this country, and long before, the wolves have been at our throat. No shepherd in history have kept their foot off of our neck.Malcolm, Martin and Marcus sure tried...

I think what you are suggesting is part of the problem ... having us expect some "shepherd" to get up there and (successfully) fight for us. It's not happened yet, and i don't believe this next set of elections will be any different.So you're not going to vote?

We must "shepherd" ourselves because i believe the shepherd is in bed with the wolf.I agree...Bush, Cheney & Co. are wolves for sure...we cannot shepherd ourselves by ignoring the voting process...

We all know the shepherd slept with the sheep, and he's probably doing the wolf right now (or gett'n done).The shepherd has a dog (the German shepherd) who protects the sheep while the shepherd sleeps or is attending other chores. The wolf also fears the dog...

:heart:

In my first statement I was referring to the animal...in my second statement I was referring to those political "shepherds" we vote for...like your state senator and the presidential candidates...

huh ?? ... lol ... in your first statement you were referring to the animal ... ?? ... what animal ... ?? ... i thought we were talking about shepherds feeding and protecting their sheep?! ... what animal ... the sheep?! ... lol ... just like a goat ... lol ... :kiss:

:heart:

Destee

You haven't answered my question...

:heart:

Lord Will'n and da creek don't rise.

:heart:

Destee

:laugh::laugh:

repeat: how did the sheep survive prior to the arrival of the Shepard?

Here is another link that will provide answers for you:

http://www.bibletexts.com/glossary/sheep.htm

instinct is how

the sheep don't really need the Shepard, the Shepard needs the sheep.
it's all a scan.

I feel you on that one James...before sheep were domesticated they didn't need shepards only after becoming domesticated and used to having someone put them on the dole..oops I mean take care of feeding and watering them did they need a shepard and on kerry I have no confidence in him or bush and wonder why I always see Black folk surrounding these white men that come into our communities and churches and such only when they're running for office or need us for something...you think kerry cools out with Black folk regularly as tough as he is now....I seriously doubt that either of these rich white men have my or my people's best interests at heart...and don't forget that the shepard when he sees fit often slaughters one of some of his flock for his own personal use..


Mississippi Red

...and don't forget that the shepard when he sees fit often slaughters one of some of his flock for his own personal use..
after screwing them, that is.................... :eek:

Ooooooppsss!!!! :jawdrop:

Back to the topic of the thread...

Obama Says It’s Time To Move Beyond ‘One Black’ Syndrome...

By Hazel Trice Edney
Amsterdam News

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – U. S. Senate Candidate Barack Obama, singled out for his exceptional speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, says Blacks have moved past the need for a single national leader. “We’re beyond the point where we just have one messiah,” Obama says in an NNPA interview during the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference. “What we need is collective leadership helping to move the ball forward. I think everybody’s got a contribution to make.”

The 42-year-old Illinois state senator, former civil rights lawyer and Harvard law school graduate, became a household word after his rousing prime-time speech. Some pundits immediately hailed Obama as the “Tiger Woods” of politics, and predicted that he will eclipse Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in popularity.

“There are people like myself, who hopefully can work within an institution like the United States Senate and do important work,” he says, rejecting the notion that African-Americans must choose between he, Jackson or Sharpton. “There are going to be other people like Rev. Sharpton, who will be using a different platform. And, I don’t think those things are contradictory. Rev. Jackson is a constituent and family friend, and he was an important early supporter of my campaign. I continue to draw from the wisdom and knowledge of those who paid enormous sacrifices to help people like myself have the opportunities that I do.”

Read the entire article at:

http://www.amsterdamnews.org/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=3448&sID=3

Obama, Keyes Differ On Tactics...Candidates Clash On Patriot Act

By John Chase
Tribune staff reporter

In a stark contrast between the two major Illinois candidates for U.S. Senate, Democrat Barack Obama is ripping the controversial USA Patriot Act for violating U.S. citizens' civil liberties in the battle against terrorism, while Alan Keyes has mostly kind words for the controversial piece of legislation.

Answering a Tribune questionnaire on the issue of terrorism, Obama vows to support the repeal of several provisions of the act because he believes it failed to strike the appropriate balance between homeland security and protection of civil liberties.

Keyes, on the other hand, vows very little in regards to changing the act, even though he shares some of the concerns about how the act infringes on citizens' rights.

The difference of opinion regarding the Patriot Act is only one of several between the two on the issue of terrorism. Their answers were taken from the questionnaire as well as public statements and interviews.

You can read the entire article at:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0409200080sep20,1,4817446.story?coll=chi-news-hed

Back to the topic of the thread...

Obama Says It’s Time To Move Beyond ‘One Black’ Syndrome...

By Hazel Trice Edney
Amsterdam News

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – U. S. Senate Candidate Barack Obama, singled out for his exceptional speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, says Blacks have moved past the need for a single national leader. “We’re beyond the point where we just have one messiah,” Obama says in an NNPA interview during the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference. “What we need is collective leadership helping to move the ball forward. I think everybody’s got a contribution to make.”

The 42-year-old Illinois state senator, former civil rights lawyer and Harvard law school graduate, became a household word after his rousing prime-time speech. Some pundits immediately hailed Obama as the “Tiger Woods” of politics, and predicted that he will eclipse Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in popularity.

“There are people like myself, who hopefully can work within an institution like the United States Senate and do important work,” he says, rejecting the notion that African-Americans must choose between he, Jackson or Sharpton. “There are going to be other people like Rev. Sharpton, who will be using a different platform. And, I don’t think those things are contradictory. Rev. Jackson is a constituent and family friend, and he was an important early supporter of my campaign. I continue to draw from the wisdom and knowledge of those who paid enormous sacrifices to help people like myself have the opportunities that I do.”

Read the entire article at:

http://www.amsterdamnews.org/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=3448&sID=3

Funny how things develop over time!

Obama Says It’s Time To Move Beyond ‘One Black’ Syndrome...


By Hazel Trice Edney
Amsterdam News

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – U. S. Senate Candidate Barack Obama, singled out for his exceptional speech at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, says Blacks have moved past the need for a single national leader. “We’re beyond the point where we just have one messiah,” Obama says in an NNPA interview during the Congressional Black Caucus’ Annual Legislative Conference. “What we need is collective leadership helping to move the ball forward. I think everybody’s got a contribution to make.”

The 42-year-old Illinois state senator, former civil rights lawyer and Harvard law school graduate, became a household word after his rousing prime-time speech. Some pundits immediately hailed Obama as the “Tiger Woods” of politics, and predicted that he will eclipse Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in popularity.

“There are people like myself, who hopefully can work within an institution like the United States Senate and do important work,” he says, rejecting the notion that African-Americans must choose between he, Jackson or Sharpton. “There are going to be other people like Rev. Sharpton, who will be using a different platform. And, I don’t think those things are contradictory. Rev. Jackson is a constituent and family friend, and he was an important early supporter of my campaign. I continue to draw from the wisdom and knowledge of those who paid enormous sacrifices to help people like myself have the opportunities that I do.”

Read the entire article at:

http://www.amsterdamnews.org/news/Article/Article.asp?NewsID=3448&sID=3




Aqil,
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Never had the pleasure of meeting you, nice timely article! Obama is correct, its time that others step up to the plate, the new Malcolm's, Garvey, etc...