New young Black leadership: Can it save the Democratic Party?
Tron Nick
"Young Black voters had better be careful", argues entertainer Chuck D. "November 2004 is important, but then there's December 2004, 2005. You don't want this to be an evaporating-agenda-program after election week is over and everything goes back to unusual--business as unusual. That's what's got to strike Black people, or Hispanic people: ?What's going to take care of me in December 2004?'" he continued. "The voting aspect (has) got to really, really have a lot of weight to it. And really, it does. Puffy (has) got a campaign, like ?Vote or Die.' Because, if the present administration gets another four years, we're the first to go. There's no kind of international connection with us as a people. And there ain't no domestic saving grace with us here," he stressed.
Symbolized by the face of certain-to-be-elected Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama, a new cadre of young Black leadership with ties to the hip hop movement has emerged around the nation, both inside and outside the Democratic Party. At the Democratic Convention, a record number of Black faces were seen as keynote speakers, including several primetime appearances. While this Black youth movement in national politics is mostly un-measured up until now, it could have unlimited future potential for change. [more ]
]