15 Men: Stalwart, Black, American

There are some who will read this article and might label me as a racist and/or Muslim, along with other negatives that a black man is called when he has an opinion. Relax. This isn't a secret call for a revolution; it's a way of showing the world that there are other great men besides Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill, John Kennedy, and Billy Graham. Btw, I have great admiration for Dr. Graham.

If you read my recent article entitled "Top 25 Coolest Black Men", I am sure that many other names may have crossed your mind. You may be saying, "Why didn't he include so-and-so or this-man-that man?" Well, believe it or not, there is a method. The 25 "cool" are a unique bunch that no bout-a-doubt-it has impacted this society, and more than several of them also could have made this list.

There is a misperception around the world that American black folks have interest only in the unimportant: "cool", "bling", drugs, being lazy, lovers of Nike's and "celebrity". Interestingly, some black Africans are the biggest promoters of this negativity, while it is American blacks who offer more support to the African continent than any other society. I was born and reared in "the entertainment capitol of the world", and celebrity means about as much to me as a hole in a donut. I won't even address the other slurs.

Don't get too hung up on the order, but do consider it a call to order.

Number 15: Barack Obama, President of the United States - I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God, divisible, because a black man is Commander-in-Chief. Grow up America. You've had 200 years to get it right, and you still have a long way to go. It has been more than one year since he was elected into office, and he's taken more ridicule than any other president in my lifetime. For anyone to think that it's old school racism, they're wrong. The new breed of racist is no better than the suicide bomber in the Middle East. It was no fluke that he was elected. Out of Chicago comes true grit. Whether you want to believe it or not, it was nothing but the will of God that ordered Mr. Obama's steps to pass through Chi-town, and marry a strong well educated American black woman from a proud family.

Number 14: Earvin "Magic" Johnson - I remember seeing Magic standing on the sidelines at a USC vs. Oklahoma football game in the early 80's at the LA Coliseum. He was accompanied by Lakers owner Jerry Buss. I thought "hmmm...could there be some mentoring going on?" They, along with me, missed a lot of football action that afternoon. As they were having an exchange of dialogue I was watching with binoculars trying to read lips. But, Magic has stepped up to the plate big time. He put his money where his mouth is. I, personally, am not in favor of pressuring athletes, entertainers, and other wealthy people into "putting back into the community" unless that's what they want to do from their hearts. It's not their responsibility to rebuild our communities. Magic wanted to rebuild our community. Yes, he has built an empire, but the 6'9 all-pro point guard played a game much tougher than basketball to conquer opponents of his community development projects. One key fact is that he's a large scale 'employer' in our communities. Who can knock that?

Number 13: Curtis Mayfield - Mr. Mayfield penned a phrase that left an impression on me. "I don't mind leaving here to show the world I have no fear", was part of the 1965 hit song "We're A Winner" by the Impressions. It's a shame that during the sixties that most of the white songwriters had only the prom and surfing to be concerned about, while the great black writers had to address survival, social injustice and equal rights. Mr. Mayfield was more important than The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could ever honor him for.

Number 12: John H. Johnson - Succeeding against the odds, like most of us have, Mr. Johnson built a communication source second to only "Ma Bell" for black folks. The Negro Digest, Ebony and Jet have provided a means of staying in touch with our culture. If you lived in Dallas, you knew what's up in Detroit. If you're in Monroe, you were exposed to the happs in Oakland or Philly. That what Ebony and Jet has done. Mr. Johnson proved that the only way the odds can be beaten is to at least step into the ring, take some hits, but endure. Reach for yours dreams. They could be only a fingertip away.

Number 11: Malcolm X - A man can use rhetoric and all of his physical capacity to fight for what he believes in. A bigger man can be renewed by spiritual purpose and take a different path of outreach to unify mankind. He graduated to the latter. But even his former hard stance on racial injustice was apropos. The blatant racism of his time deserved to be answered with barefaced discontent.

Number 10: Ralph Abernathy - His best friend Martin Luther King, Jr., died in his arms. He fought and walked side-by-side with King at a time when mental endurance had to overcome the physical desire of retaliation. An ordained minister, this man endured the cowardly slaughter of countless colleagues, students and friends, the bombing of his church, brutal beatings from white policemen, daily death threats to him and his family and the wrongful confiscation of family property, all because he stood for a right called freedom. He fought a good fight, and did all he could to stand.

Number 9: Ossie Davis - All of us can identify with at least one of the characters he portrayed in film. I believe that he did it for us for that purpose. Deeply involved in the civil rights moment of the sixties, he and his wife didn't sell out for a glowing "Hollywood" career. They got down dirty in the trenches without a mask or disguise. Thanks to Spike Lee, another generation was able to see a true artist, and a man who cared about his people.

Number 8: Tyler Perry - His films are meaningful to the entire American society. They are not just "black films" as some narrow minded critics will label them. Some people may believe that American blacks don't have a culture. As I previously mentioned black Africans "in our country" tend to criticize black Americans more than any other race. But we do have a culture, all around us, and Tyler Perry is showing the world how wrong they have been about us. And if you didn't know, now you know.

Number 7: Danny Glover - Danny Glover is a lethal weapon in the area of activism. He has supported causes beyond the global plight of blacks, like the United Farm Workers (UAW), and California Proposition 7 that would have mandated that utilities companies procure half of their power from renewable sources. If I ever meet Danny, I would love to sit and chew on some fat (preferably some pork skins and hot sauce). Then I would respectfully ask him to give me five - on the black-hand side. You see, when a man sees it fit to support more than his own interests, he is a man of character, and he is to be revered.

Number 6: Dr. Frederick K. C. Price, Pastor, Crenshaw Christian Center - More than one decade ago, Dr. Price obeyed his call to deliver an 18 month long message in the form of a series entitled "Race, Religion and Racism". He addressed racism in America, as well as racism in the American and [worldwide] Church. He lost a lot of "white supporters" along the way. Even many of his [black] peers denounced some of his research, findings and report. I met Dr. Price and his wife one rainy Saturday afternoon in 1997 while shopping at the [black] mall in LA. My 5 year old daughter's hand locked in mines; I stopped Dr. Price to acknowledge and to compliment him on the series. The beam in Dr. Price's eyes was likening to Super Man using his x-ray vision. It was nothing but God's anointing in those eyes. I knew at that very moment that truth was supposed to meet truth that day. Dr. Price was gracious and appreciative of the encouragement he received from me.

Number 5: Jesse Jackson - When Jesse ran for president more than two decades ago, America was ready, even then for a black president. Think about it. If not, he wouldn't be here today. He was very adept in calling the bluff of the powers that be and exposed the method by which a president is elected. It's not your vote or my vote, it's all about money. Always has been and will be. He knew that his message was good enough for high office and that there was plenty of money to back him, after all, he did do some wheeling and dealing with the Arabs in times of crisis saving the face of the U.S. on several occasions. It's ironic that Michael Jordan entered the NBA (in Chicago) the same year Jesse sought the office of the presidency. And, it was 'round about that time that the mega contracts for black athletes started rolling in like tidal waves. Jesse, you're still meaningful.

Number 4: Stevie Wonder - This man's vision is as powerful as the Hubble Space Telescope. Stevie is a champion for civil rights and is quite enterprising. With all the "black wealth" in this town, with all the black "mega churches" in this town, it's Stevie who owns and operates the only black owned radio station in Los Angeles. Owning media, especially here, is more powerful than all the records he's made put together. He's keeping our voice alive in this, the most important city in America. And if you don't think it is, sit in on a LA County Board of Supervisors meeting one day. Stevie is strong.

Number 3: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - He obeyed his calling. If the bible were written over, he would have a book like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John or a second "Revelations". I have to say it, but his dream is so misunderstood, by his own people. We throw in the towel on so many issues that affect us negatively. We fight to name streets after him but don't bother to make it the cleanest street in town. We celebrate his birthday every year in vain. He wouldn't have wanted that. He would have wanted celebration for victories. But there can be no victories without a battle. Some of us are too comfortable to even understand. Dr. King should be resting in peace because he obeyed his calling. Have you?

Number 2: Muhammad Ali -This is how a man should stand. Convicted to the core of his soul, he told Sam that he wouldn't fight for them because his people weren't being treated right. Further he insisted that other nations were not the enemy, the enemy was right here at home. He's been a champion far beyond boxing and more effective than any Secretary of State in my lifetime. Heads of state worldwide have trusted him more than any president. A beautiful heart is in his being; that's where diplomacy starts.

Number 1: My Father - A husband for 63 years, a father for 66, lived through the Great Depression and served this country, his country, in the II World War. He and mother survived Jim Crow, and proudly and prayerfully raised 7 children, and watched them have children and their children have children. He retired at age 53 after 28 years as a union Laborer - a respectable profession, then, gave us 35 more years to learn from him. He worked hard, paid his taxes and was no threat or menace to our society. He passed away with dignity. There have been and are currently countless other black men that I know personally who are of like character. You know some too. Promote them for a change - world.

Stalwart, Black and American.