The Black List: Top 100

Blue
September 6 2007, 1:50PM

Good list, though I have yet to figure out why so many black gay men fawn over Star Jones. That chick is not down for gay folks.

tdubbs
September 6 2007, 2:08PM

ok you forgot some people, i will add them

Malcome Jamel, - film maker
Janet Jackson -mucic icon to the gays,
Vanessa Williams - singer actor
just to name a few

Derrick from Philly
September 6 2007, 2:24PM

"...Barack Obama and Tiger Woods...may not be black."

No, just yella.

Only African descent is what matters when identifying your race. It's the only positive thing to come out of slavery and institutional/cultural/scientific racism.

Aint I right, elg?

Andy
September 6 2007, 2:53PM

Derrick, my dad and I had a talk about mixed race folks the other day, he is from the old school and says if you look black America will have no problem telling you that you are black and mixed means little. That said, I told him, I don't have a problem with people who are as you put it "yella" not saying they are 100% black, especially if they have one parent who isn't. The old one drop rule is boring, and with all this intermarriage and sex going on, hopefully, one day it will disappear all together. I found people telling me on a trip to Turkey that I must be Arab, as I was to "light" to be black, ugh, its still color all over the world I guess :(.

Now, back to the list, good stuff, we really need to make sure that there are still plenty of black folks out there to emulate and look up to, including Starlett Jones Reynolds!!

And, of course Mr Boykin :).

plwatcher
September 6 2007, 2:53PM

Keith,

Many of your 'appointees' on this list are quite deserving. As a junior attending a premiere private university I often am repulsed by the many negative images and widely-accepted stereotypes of not only blacks but other minorities broadly broadcast for the worlds laughing pleasure. Your list reassures many YOUTH of MY GENERATION that there are positive role-models and mentors from which to draw inspiration and that there has ALWAYS been representation from our group.
Keith, I am sure you receive this ALL THE TIME but I have been following you since One More River to Cross...[yes, all the way as a middle-scholer in an urban-ATL school]....Your deliberate and thought-provoking manner had me amazed at how well you 'handled' your greatest 'enemies.' Anyway, you are INSPIRING to me because you have helped me recognize that regardless of where I fall on the 'Kinsey continuum' I have worth and can fight for change. This is why you are definitely a strong addition to my Top 100 list...

Billy
September 6 2007, 3:06PM

There are few I didn't agree with, but even those "few" have made an impression on our lives and that's what I love about the list. Yes, we need inspiration-THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mikey
September 6 2007, 3:52PM

Yeah I was gonna say the same thing. I'm like you added Beyonce to this list but didn't add Janet Jackson? Something is wrong with that picture.

C. Baptiste-Williams
September 6 2007, 3:53PM

How are you going to tell someone they left someone off "THEIR" list?

And why do people feel just because someone isn't "down for the gays" makes them evil and unworthy of support. Everyone is not going to support everything about you but your mother.

Doug Cooper-Spencer
September 6 2007, 4:14PM

Recognizing our inspiration strengthens us, yet keeps us grounded in humility. It's needed and something we should do all the time.

Derrick from PHilly
September 6 2007, 4:18PM

Thanks, Andy:

I didn't mean to hijack Keith's topic. But because of an earlier "thread" I been carrying this little grudge around for 2 weeks--just waiting for this opportunity. Typical vindictive queen, hunh?

As for the list, I believe just about any comment should be welcomed as long as it pertains to something in Keith's essay or someone on his list. So, Blue's comment was legitimate. My own feeling is that there are so many folks who are inspiring who are no longer with us physically. I would mention Joseph Beam, Essex Hemphill and Marlon Riggs: they helped define what it means to be black and gay (atleast for those us who had the need for that back in the 70's & 80's. On my list, of course, would also be Dorian Corey and Pepper Labeija and Sylvester! I am impressed by other people's (especially gay people's) courage and defiance against oppression. Hey, that means Keith should be on many folks' lists!

cmoney
September 6 2007, 4:21PM

Don't forget Momma!!

Lisa
September 6 2007, 5:38PM

I can't beleive Patricia Hill Collins didn't make the list of wordsmiths!

bubba
September 6 2007, 5:46PM

Kasi Lemmons
Don Cheadle
Kara Walker
Audra McDonald
Judith Jamison
Mae Jemison
Jessye Norman
Richard D. Parsons

Look 'em up, Keith.

How can Condoleeza Rice and Russell Simmons inspire any rational person of color? They're both apologists for inexcusable realities in their respective industries. Breaking a glass ceiling isn't as important as how you do it. Also, Bishop Tutu is not African American.

Mr. Miami
September 6 2007, 5:46PM

Jamie Foxx.

Why?

He was won an Oscar now it's going to his head.

Why Foxx I say?

Not only did he defend Michael Vick, but his is arrogant, unattractive, classless, and tacky.

When heard he was from Texas. Well enough said. Hood rat makes it big.

Sidney Poitier would have been a better choice. Who by the way is the only black male on AFI's top 25 greatest actors of all time.

PhD2BE
September 6 2007, 6:12PM

Keith, thanks for shairng this with us. It really made me think about all the people in our community that are blessed to be a blessing, and to all of them I send a BIG thank you.

For my own list, I would have to think more about a complete one, but some that first come to mind are the following:

I was surprised to not see Imani Henry,Barbara Smith and Cheryl Clarke in the activist category.

For thinkers, I would have had Mary Frances Berry, Patricia Hill Collins and Darlene Clark Hine,Stanlie James, Mark Anthony Neale, Sharon Patricia Holland, E. Patrick Johnson and Roderick Ferguson.

Wordsmiths, I would add Jewel Gomez,Samuel Delaney, Thomas Glave,Sapphire,Ignacio Rivera and James Earl Hardy.

G-man
September 6 2007, 8:05PM

What a great idea!!! I often sit back and reflect on those who have inspired me as well. I enjoyed reading your top 100. Your top ten Lengends are indentical with mine. Though mine differs in numerical order, I see we don't use the term "Lengends" loosely, all who are on that list are certainly worthy of that title.
This gives me the perfert opportunity to tell you Keith that you are an inspiration to me..I thank God for your wisdom, fortitude,and your tenacity. Keep up the great work!!! You've made my list : )

belonb
September 6 2007, 8:49PM

hey Keith, u still rockin' on baby. but wait just a minute, while i appreciate that u really love the Clintons, Barak Obama has NEVER described himself as not BLACK, EVER OKAY!!!!!! his father was AFRICAN-AFRICAN and his wife is BLACKER than most people on your list. i know u said u admire this so called black list, but let's face it your past comments about Obama were not exactly favorable, period. you may have sat and had a convo with Amaechi, whose father is Nigerian, at the glaad awards, please note the small g in glaad, but this is a man who never described himself as black or any affiliation with being a descent of Africa in his book, but kept refering to himself as a BROWN ENGLISHMAN, even though he was born in the US, pleeeeeeeze. i respect the fact that it was your own personal list, still love u man, but sometimes we listen 2 every word u say, careful.

G-man
September 6 2007, 9:41PM

I meant Legends not Lengends...LOL!! Forgive me for typing too fast, I've had a long day guys : )

Blue
September 6 2007, 9:52PM

C. Baptiste Williams wrote:

"And why do people feel just because someone isn't "down for the gays" makes them evil and unworthy of support. Everyone is not going to support everything about you but your mother."

The answer is simple. Would you want him putting somebody on this list who is not a supporter of black people? Who said she was evil? To be gay and have an anti-gay individual on your list of top 100 black people to me makes no sense. Just because she is black does not absolve her of being called out for being ignorant and homophobic. Sorry. Then again, you are the person who sees nothing wrong with Wendy Williams' ignorance and called it humor, so I'm not surprised.

Dei
September 6 2007, 10:37PM

An interesting list you have and like you stated, this is your personal list so I won't be as bold and say you forgot someone based upon my opinion. One thing I did notice, and this often is a reflection of African-Americans/Americans in general, when talking about "Spirituality", we limit ourselves to only CHRISTIAN icons.

The very fact that we live in a Nation of many faiths, your list, in regards to "Spirituality", is kinda overtly bias (Meaning it clearly pains you to be a Christian) There are outstanding Black Americans whom are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Budhist, etc., and add a clear fundamental religious direction to people in the USA and the world.

Allow yourself to recognize and hopefully one will make your next list.

TR
September 6 2007, 10:52PM

Let's not forget Marian Wright Edelman, Cicely Tyson, Gladys Knight, Don Cheadle, Aretha Franklin, Leontyne Price, Vanessa Williams and Lena Horne.

Liquid Fonts
September 7 2007, 1:19AM

All great people but I would like to add Jerry to the Cartoon Mouse Section.

:)

t-bag
September 7 2007, 2:11AM

Tyra before Oprah........Oh LORD, Keith you and I are gonna need to have a talk.

GQ
September 7 2007, 2:51AM

cool list Keith. It would be cool if you shared some characteristics and traits of how these people in your list inspire you. I realize revealing things about 100 people would take lots of time and space. Even spread it out in several posts but at your pace, or just making appropriate connections in one of your upcoming topic posts. I'd figure if you share some of these general traits (without going into personal details), it might indirectly inspire myself or some of the readers and posters of this site. It gives us some insight on the choices you made.

Solo
September 7 2007, 3:50AM

This is a story that be of interest to all!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/07/nyregion/07hate.html

Jeff Hobbs
September 7 2007, 9:34AM

Yeah I think you should have included your mother as well!! She did an amazing job!

Mark Norris
September 7 2007, 11:21AM

Wow, I guess not everyone reads and internalizes what they are reading. I agree with, "C. Baptiste-Williams", this his KEITHS LIST, and KEITHS only. I mean I wondered where Janet Jackson and Patti LaBelle's names were. But, it's his list. And to "t-bag's" comment of Tyra before Oprah it is a matter of "B"(Banks) before "W"(Winfrey) according to the alphabetical order. READ!!! "The Black List (In Alphabetical Order)"

Eddwarm
September 7 2007, 2:59PM

In the "Thinkers" list, I think JOhn Hope Franklin should have been included, excluding possibly someone who is perhaps more contemporary but not less important. Or perhaps two lists could have been devised, thus 200 names would have been included.

Pickles
September 7 2007, 5:14PM

Condoleeza Rice?

I thought this was a list of black people?

t-bag
September 8 2007, 12:58AM

LOL @ mark.....MY BAD!!!!LOL

titi
September 8 2007, 11:48AM

DERRICK I think we are damaging ourself with this "who is black enough thing"! yella this! yella that!! who are you fooling??????? Yellow skin doesn't protect you against the ugly fact awaiting you in the real world. YOU KNOW THAT AS EVERYBODY else on this site. Awareness is your best protection.THE MAJORITY OF BLACKS ARE MIXE THAT INCLUDE MANY DARK SKINS.SO BEEN MIXE RACE IS NOTHING NEW AMOUNG BLACKS..JUST KEEP PROMOTING SUCH DIVISION AND WE'LL ALL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE WITHOUT EXCEPTION.
Dividing ourself into tribes of course will only make us vulnerable AND WEAK.If you think we are vulnerable NOW just wait until such stupidity TAKES HOLD. Most of you guys think that the civil right can't be reverse.THAT IN FACT SAYS A LOT ABOUT OUR LEVEL OF APATHY...
AND ONE MORE THINK Derrick, you can't speak for BARACK OBAMA. He's sophisticated enough to know the implication. He's not TIGER WOOD.
COME ON GUYS, KEITH IS REFERRING TO PEOPLE HE PERSONALY ADMIRE!!NOT THOSE YOU ADMIRE!

Jazrok64
September 8 2007, 1:10PM

Great list Keith! Many on your list are on mine as well. YOU are on my list. Thank you.

majikcam
September 9 2007, 9:31PM

Great list Keith. Thanks for the 100 list and great links. I found some new people to appreciate and give much respect. I know this is your list, but... any inspiration from these legends too: Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson? Can I give them a shout-out in the universe?-- a joyful thanks! I was delighted that Venus, Serena and Tiger made the list. However, some of us are old enough to also have that same feeling about Arthur and Althea. Imagine heroes--- rarely if ever on prime time, or with primo marketing, but breaking through and being everybody's "firsts and only's" --becoming legends. Ooh-wee. Nice, right?

nhlanhla
September 10 2007, 5:44AM

Condy Rice is the most EVIL THING dressed in a black skin.

Derrick fromPhilly
September 10 2007, 11:35AM

Hey, titi:

I consider anyone who has African ancestry to be black. Black is a shorter way of saying African-American(recent African ancestry--'cause if you go back far enough we are all of African ancestry. Yes, I still believe in the racist "one drop of black blood" doctrine that was invented toward the end of slavery. I think all people of color should think of themselves as one (black, Latino black, southern Asians, etc.)

titi, I make jokes about almost every topic on the blogs, including skin complexion differences in the black community, and because of that I got into trouble with a poster about that a couple of weeks ago. I even started to post as "Yella Derrick" as an act of defiance. I got bored with it. But I'll continue to make jokes about yellas and redbones and "sexy jet black mens". If someone is offended by it: tough shit.

titi
September 11 2007, 10:14AM

sorry brother DERRICK. Dry sense of humor is something we both share. but let's not forget that some of those jokes can psykological affect the most vulnerable brothers and sisters in search of reassurance among us.We are in the midst of a psykological warfare. SOME OF US BADLY NEED A LESS CLOUDED AND SUPPORTIVE MESSAGES FROM OTHER BLACKS.
PLEASE USE YOUR GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR TO LIFT THEM UP, YOU HAVE MUCH TO GAIN FROM IT..IN FACT THERE IS NOTHING FUNNY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF SO MUCH ALIENATION AND DISTRUCTION...DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU SAY HERE HAS NO IMPACT. YOUR OPINIONS DOES MATTER, JUST PUT THEM TO GOOD USE. LOVE FROM TITI TO DERRICK

elg
September 12 2007, 9:39AM

Derrick from Philly, I apologize for taking a few days to get back with to you. I unintentionally stirred up a hornet's nest several weeks ago: when I asked you that question, I was asking out of curiosity, no other reason. I'm sorry if I offended you.

I'll keep this brief. The "one drop rule" was/is racist. People of "mixed race (one parent 'black' and one parent 'something else')" background, like Tiger Woods, should be allowed to claim their total racial background without being hassled by black people. I figure if more black people felt good about themselves (and I include myself), they wouldn't get so upset when a mixed race person identifies as something other than completely black.

titi
September 12 2007, 10:54AM

I desagree with you ELG including DERICK.like many you are both simplifiying a complex topic.YES, the one drop of black blood theory was originaly etablished by racist values.However there is a hiding true to this theory. Due to historical stigmat attached to blackness by the west, blackness has become canibalistic, eating from within those who reject it.That rejection is EPITOMISE by our silent fear and hatred of it. the psykological warfare was brought upon us,we had no choise but to deal with it or submit cowardly. As matter of fact anybody with a single drop of black blood is equaly shallenge to overcame that interiorised stigmat by assuming their blackness.It is a defiance aim to control the stigmat and it impact from within, which result in awarness and strenght to fight back.To conquer that fear and shame of blackness means nobody can use it to hurt you. However rejection of blackness base on your simplified excuse is equal to handing a loaded gun to your enemies to shoot you anytime they please.

Ingrid
September 12 2007, 11:04PM

Keith,
Maybe I'm just stupid but could you give me examples of the "negative images about black people constantly portrayed in the media." I cannot believe that you think that this is so. Other than folks like Tyler Perry showing blacks folks as buffoons in his "House of Paine" I'm coming up short with other examples.

Derrick from Philly
September 13 2007, 1:32PM

elg: both you and titi are obviously very mature, thoughtful men. I mean that. My family ranges in skin complexion from the likes of Lena Horne to Sidney Poitier. You've reminded me that for many black folks this is not a "frivalous" matter.

elg: You do know that in my earlier comment, I was being facetious. I don't really hold grudges...oh, I've got to go--a bolt of lightening just came through the window and hit my poster of Joan Crawford on my office wall.

Poster of Crawford? How's that for black pride? Well, being from Texas, she coulda' had that "one drop" easily.

Jay kenyan
October 3 2007, 9:47AM

Nelson Mandela isn't African America and well never be. I find it insulting that you even want to add him to the conquest. The entire list is made up of Americans why even try say Mandela is American. If you said he inspired you as a human being and especially being a black human being then fine but that he ranks amongst your top 100 african americans???? So lets say you have him on the list is he the only african that inspires you for he is the only one who has warranted your misattention?