Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Talented Tenth


I am so filled with joy with the accomplishment of Barack Obama being our 2009 President-Elect. This is a monumental event and I’m gladdened and proud that I am alive to witness it.

No matter the size of this victory, Mr. Obama will be this country’s President, not a president solely for the people of color.

Tonight I am reminded of The Talented Tenth. For those who don’t know, I’ve included a portion of W.E.B. Dubois’s article below.

“The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education, then, among Negroes must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth; it is the problem of developing the Best of this race that they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the Worst, in their own and other races. Now the training of men is a difficult and intricate task. Its technique is a matter for educational experts, but its object is for the vision of seers.

Men of America, the problem is plain before you. Here is a race transplanted through the criminal foolishness of your fathers. Whether you like it or not the millions are here, and here they will remain. If you do not lift them up, they will pull you down. Education and work are the levers to uplift a people. Work alone will not do it unless inspired by the right ideals and guided by intelligence. Education must not simply teach work? It must teach Life. The Talented Tenth of the Negro race must be made leaders of thought and missionaries of culture among their people. No others can do this work and Negro colleges must train men for it. The Negro race, like all other races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men.”


No sirree folks! Bill Clinton was not the 1st Black President. We are surviving and witnessing a change in the making. W.E.B. Dubois's article strikes a cord with me. In this day and age of the right now, when no one wants to work hard and survey the progress, we now have a leader who young and old can look upon proudly and be inspired.

12 comments:

Wanna B Me said...

Sooo Well Put. Being alive to witness this event sure does a heart good.

Just Kel said...

Amen Ms. Me!

clnmike said...

That was a great atricle to pull, it summed it all up.

Ticia said...

I love the Talented Tenth - WEB DuBois is an amazing writer - his words live on so well today......

Just Kel said...

Thank you Mike!

Ticia... Isn't he amazing. And his work is timeless.

Unknown said...

That is a nice piece.

Very fitting.

I was thinking of some of the people I knew who have passed never to witness our having our first black president, and how joyful they would have been. Makes it a little bittersweet.


I am glad I lived to witness this with my children. Even though at this moment they don't really grasp how great that moment was. But, as they grow and learn more about the world around them they will truly understand. And I was there with them.
What a wonderful memory.

I hope this inspires many more of our young boys to grow into exceptional men.

Just Kel said...

Queen... It's such an amazing moment. Nothing to be taken lightly. The children will see in time and share with their children.

I too pray this achievement inspires our young boys! It's now beyond rappers, singers and ballers, we can aspire to be Presidents. Wow!

Anonymous said...

AMEN!!!! Thank you for posting that. Wow..just wow! I am getting choked up again

Ms.Honey said...

Party over...aint nothing over there LOL

Eb the Celeb said...

Its crazy how when Clinton was in office all of Black America thought that was the closest we would ever get to having a black pres... I am so glad we were wrong!

Just Kel said...

MzNewy... I've been emotional all week. In NYC, Obama is the talk on every subway and city bus.

Ms.Honey... It's ovah! LOL

Eb... Me too Sis! Clinton was so cool in the 90s, now we got the real deal.

Ticia said...

Timeless indeed - Souls of Black Folk is hotness