Re: Waiting for "the Leader"

SweetwuzzyA1

I was on another message board and came across this message -- what are your opinions on this??

I suppose I should have a disclaimer. The person who wrote this was off of a forum, and the writer is suspect, but that has no bearing on the topic anyways.

The topic at hand is that many people believe that role models and leaders is our only salvation. If we do not have a "role model/leader" in a cetain area, black people are bound to fail in that area.

"A few centuries ago, economics pioneer Adam Smith noted that the wealth of nations derives from the combined wealth of individuals working for their own best interests. The wealth that they create forms the foundation of the community's economy, and trading among themselves forms self-regulating free markets. This happens even though no one in particular causes it to happen, or guides the process, or provides intentional design or leadership. Orderly markets, economies and societies spring up as a result of individuals simply doing what they think best for themselves.

One of the striking things that I've noticed while hanging around BV is that most non-black Americans seem to fit into Smith's view, while a large percentage of blacks don't. The "Powernomics" thread and Tavis Smiley's Covenant are prime examples. They promote the notion that salvation for blacks as a group has to come from some sort of cultural epiphany brought on by a black leader who finally hits on "The Answer" that will lead black Americans, as a group, into prosperity, or that black prosperity will be brought about by black-led political upheavals that transfer existing wealth into the waiting hands of the black protelariat. Both notions absolve black individuals of personal liability for their own conditions. They also fail to address what happens when the appropriated wealth is used up.

Non-blacks aren't "led" as a group to do things that are in their own best interest. They individually and independently do what's best for themselves and in doing so, as Smith noted, they benefit the group even though it isn't their intention to do so. This notion applies to ethics and morals, too. Non-blacks aren't laboring under crushing illegitimate birth rates and crime statistics because they're more effectively "led". It's because a lower percentage of individuals make stupid, self-destructive decisions.

The statistical differences between black America and the rest of us reflect the sum total of individual choices, not better leadership."

5/7/064:08 PM

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LiveLovePoetryD4

While we're waiting for a leader, is it safe to assume that we're being pushed backwards into pre-Civil Rights Era problems?

I say yes.

I think the key is better education with NEW black leaders.(emphasis on plural) I think that since being black is so diverse and varied, a group of leaders and thinkers should be cultivated to raise NEW, FRESH ideas. Think about it.

Jesse straddles the line betweeen embarassing and empowering from time to time.

Al is outspoken and sharp, but does little in the form of offering solutions.

Tavis can only write so many books. (THAT MANY OF US DON'T READ)

Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson have relegated themselves to GENIUS talking head status...often times talking over the heads of the common black person.

I think we should start with Obama and find a new crop of leaders to push us forward into this millenium.

5/8/0612:14 AM

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umbrarchistA1

quote:
Non-blacks aren't "led" as a group to do things that are in their own best interest. They individually and independently do what's best for themselves and in doing so, as Smith noted, they benefit the group even though it isn't their intention to do so.

This is capitalist idealized theory was probably somewhat applicable in Smith's time but is out of phase with current technological reality. What percentage of the economy was controlled by megacorporations in Smith's day. It wasn't until 1886 that the US Supreme Court decided that a corporation was a person. That was 100 years after Adam Smith and more than 100 years ago. What the Smith enthusiasts don't tell you is the Adam Smith disapproved of what he called joint stock companies. That is what we now call a corporation.

Planned obsolescence and the use of Freudian psychology in TV commercials didn't exist in Smith's day. It is the White people that regard themselves as winners in the current system that distort Smith's theory to shoehorn it into current reality to psyche people into not rocking their boat.

I just noticed the other day that there is a Wiki entry about planned obsolescence. I checked the history though, it wasn't created until March 2004. What is really going on is swept under the rug to maintain the delusion.

Black Americans have fallen for some of the silly competition like, my car is better than your car, but we need to spend money outside of our communities to buy the delusions of class and status. The economics profession does not emphasize how much psychology distorts Adam Smith's ideal theory but you can be sure psychologists working in the field of marketing don't encourage consumers to be rational.

umbrarchist

ps - Psychology is the study of not thinking.

5/8/0612:31 AM

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DissidentA1

Dr. Claud Anderson has some very progressive ideas for black people. But unfortunately too many of our people are in a deep sleep and don't support Dr. Anderson as we should for fear of a backlash from white amerikkka while allowing ourselves to be distracted with trivial matters which Umbrarchist eloquently stated.

5/8/062:43 AM

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James Wesley ChesterA1

I, too, see a flaw in the rationale.

I agree that there is that constant expectation of leadership. Please note that I said expectation not search.

The expectation of Europeans is for corporate leadership.

Individual well-being is tied to corporate success. More specifically, individuals are rewarded by corporations with their success.

Non-Europeans are repressed until the maximum number of Europeans have been rewarded.

It is a different system.

It's as clear as 'black' and 'white'.

PEACE

Jim Chester

5/8/067:17 AM

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SweetwuzzyA1

quote:
Originally posted by LiveLovePoetry:
While we're waiting for a leader, is it safe to assume that we're being pushed backwards into pre-Civil Rights Era problems?

I say yes.

I think the key is better education with NEW black leaders.(emphasis on plural) I think that since being black is so diverse and varied, a group of leaders and thinkers should be cultivated to raise NEW, FRESH ideas. Think about it.

Jesse straddles the line betweeen embarassing and empowering from time to time.

Al is outspoken and sharp, but does little in the form of offering solutions.

Tavis can only write so many books. (THAT MANY OF US DON'T READ)

Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson have relegated themselves to GENIUS talking head status...often times talking over the heads of the common black person.

I think we should start with Obama and find a new crop of leaders to push us forward into this millenium.

Oh God, don't you see that you just proved that post's point.

Why do we NEED leaders ? Why are we looking for leaders? Honestly, not all of our problems are simple, but looking for some MLK or Malcom X,is not needed now. It is ridiculous that we believe that our only salvation is finding a "leader" to solve our problems or even inspire us to do things that is not rocket science.

Now I know, you did not exactly say this, but looking for New or OLd leaders is ridiculous.

6/22/066:49 PM

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CanoC3

Oh I think we got plenty of leaders, they are called hip hop and rap culture. Ask any child who it is he wants to emulate, and he'll tell you who he's following this month and the leader's latest lyrics.

6/22/067:30 PM

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tmonsterB5

quote:
Originally posted by umbrarchist:
quote:
Non-blacks aren't "led" as a group to do things that are in their own best interest. They individually and independently do what's best for themselves and in doing so, as Smith noted, they benefit the group even though it isn't their intention to do so.

This is capitalist idealized theory was probably somewhat applicable in Smith's time but is out of phase with current technological reality. What percentage of the economy was controlled by megacorporations in Smith's day. It wasn't until 1886 that the US Supreme Court decided that a corporation was a person. That was 100 years after Adam Smith and more than 100 years ago. What the Smith enthusiasts don't tell you is the Adam Smith disapproved of what he called joint stock companies. That is what we now call a corporation.

Planned obsolescence and the use of Freudian psychology in TV commercials didn't exist in Smith's day. It is the White people that regard themselves as winners in the current system that distort Smith's theory to shoehorn it into current reality to psyche people into not rocking their boat.

I just noticed the other day that there is a Wiki entry about planned obsolescence. I checked the history though, it wasn't created until March 2004. What is really going on is swept under the rug to maintain the delusion.

Black Americans have fallen for some of the silly competition like, my car is better than your car, but we need to spend money outside of our communities to buy the delusions of class and status. The economics profession does not emphasize how much psychology distorts Adam Smith's ideal theory but you can be sure psychologists working in the field of marketing don't encourage consumers to be rational.

umbrarchist

ps - Psychology is the study of not thinking.