Who Are These People?!

Okay! I can identify some of these suspects but since when are they "black leaders" and who designated them as such? Why do white folks latch on to every negro with a microphone or a pen as some kind of spokesperson for black people?

On Tuesday, October 11, 2005, African American right-wing think tank Brotherhood Organization of a New Destiny (BOND) held a panel discussion with The Heritage Foundation to discuss the state of Black America, mainly the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the comments from former Education secretary Bill Bennett. BOND is a 15-year-old non-profit religious organization, which claims dedication to “Rebuilding the Family By Rebuilding the Man.” Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity of Hannity & Colmes, ultra-conservative economist Walter E. Williams, and right-wing radio talk show host Dennis Prager are on BOND’s Board of Directors. The panelists were Dr. Shelby Steele, Senior Fellow, The Hoover Institution; Linda Porter, Hurricane Katrina Survivor and Founder of Jochebed Education Project; Joseph C. Phillips, actor and columnist; and LaShawn Barber, freelance writer and blogger.

Sorry, sorry, sorry! Joseph C. Phillips is a failing actor who did a brief stint on General Hospital as the grandson from an illicit union between the patriarch of the richest family in town and his torch singing black grandmother. Before that he was the dullard husband (seems to be the only types of roles he can play) of the airheaded Denise on the Cosby's. He's hardly a mainstream, notable columnist. LaShawn Barber? Lord help us! I don't even think she's mentally stable (kinda has the same dry drunk issues as the Dubya). How are these fringe freaks considered to be leaders when most black folks a) don't even know who they are and b) would laugh in their faces if they heard most of their views?