IS THERE A LEADERSHIP CRISIS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY?
By Stuart Pigler

There is a crisis of leadership in the black community. This crisis started years ago and it has come to fruition over the past two years particularly on Election Day, Nov. 5th.

Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and the Congressional Black Caucus failed in their efforts to get out the black vote to defeat Governor Jeb Bush of Florida. The Democrats' number one target was Gov. Bush, according to the Chairman of the National Democratic Party Terry McAuliffe. Futhermore, there were other efforts by so-called black leaders in Georgia, Missouri, and Maryland to get out the black vote to defeat Saxby Chambliss, Jim Talent for U.S. Senate, and Robert Ehrlich for governor respectively, to no avail. What happened? Clearly something has gone askew. The Democratic Party cannot count on blacks going to the polls in mass numbers and supporting Democratic candidates. There are ineffective leaders in the black communities and it's time for a change in direction. This election should serve as a wake-up call.

Are blacks beginning to realize that Messrs. Jackson and Sharpton are leading them down the path to destruction or has the black community realize that after all these years of supporting the Democratic Party blindly, that there is nothing to show for it? When was the last time you remember a black member of Congress in a leadership position of either party? If you answered J.C. Watts, Republican of Oklahoma, your correct. It was the Republican members of Congress that selected Rep. Watts to be their Chairman of the Republican Conference a position that placed him right behind Tom Delay, the House Republican Whip in terms of leadership.

It's time for blacks to be represented by leaders who have serious ideas and are committed to a set of principles that foster independence. However, if members of the so-called black leadership continue to exploit blacks by encouraging them to dwell on the past instead of looking forward, it will be difficult for blacks to make significant progress in this society.

Congressman Watts has articulated a set of ideals and principles that should guide our urban communities on how to promote economic growth and strengthen the marriage base of two-parent families. Unfortunately, the Congressional Black Caucus totally ignored Watts and his ideas. Watts believes in self-reliance and he actually did something in Congress to foster that idea when he co-authored and pass into law, the Community Renewal Act. Watts is planning to retire from the House of Representatives to spend more time with his family although he has left the door open for a future U.S. Senate bid.

I believe that black people in every urban center would like to see results from Congress that will improve their lives and communities. They want to be able to keep more of what they earn and they want the best education for their children. We need leaders in the black community who will appreciate and accept thoughtful and reasoned ideas that may be different from the status quo.

Next year, Congress will be controlled by Republicans. Will the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who by the way, would never let Watts become a member of their organization, work with the Republicans to accomplish things of mutual interest? Or will they continue as Watts states in his new book, "Carry out their politics of personal destruction which replaces serious philosophical and political debate." Only time will tell.

Stuart Pigler is a member of the National Advisory Council of the African-American leadership network Project 21 and a former television commentator in Grand Rapids, Michigan.