The Head Negro in Charge Syndrome: The Dead End of Black Politics

by Norman W. Kelley

Al Sharpton's entrance into the 2004 Democratic presidential race is evidence of a decaying black political culture where ego trumps politics. It is the last gasp of a tradition that has been transformed over a generation from bold, effective and results-oriented politics to rhetoric and symbolism, argues crime writer and social commentator Norman Kelley. As Kelley shows, what Sharpton covets is the sobriquet—The Head Negro in Charge (HNIC), a symbolic political mobilization that replaces effective politics and organizing. "The HNIC syndrome has seen the rise of symbolic leaders—Jesse Jackson, Louis Farrakhan, Sharpton and now Russell Simmons—who may be charismatic," Kelley writes, "but are politically unaccountable to the very people they claim to represent, namely African Americans. The transformation has been underway since the 1970s, but most African Americans have yet to confront it." HNIC syndrome is both a symptom and response to the failings of black political and cultural orthodoxy, of a sclerotic black elite represented by the NAACP and the Black Congressional Caucus, who have embedded themselves into the machinery of the Democratic Party and the conservative movement.

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2004

Reviews

[Phil Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ruthless and well-needed take-down of the phony political, social and intellectual "leaders" of contemporary Black America.

Since this book was written over 10 years ago, an update is urgently needed. Farrakhan has since aligned himself with the Scientologists. Barack Obama has done precious little to alleviate age-old grievances in the black community. Afro-American culture, with precious few exceptions, has continued to slide further down the toilet. A new bumper-crop of even more worthless, manipulative and deranged black demagogues from both the far-right (Sheriff Clarke, Dr. Ben Carson and Jesse Lee Petersen) as well as the alleged far-left (Dr. Umar Johnson and the rest of the Hotep bunch) has emerged in the past 5 years, and has done nothing for Black America except add to the already hopeless confusion that we've been drowning in for decades.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that says that Blacks needs to move away from the symbolic politics tied to the Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and toward more accountable political efforts that involve building local movements and the use of strategic non-voting for Democratic party politicians who have failed to deliver for Black constituents. Advocates the use of issues such as education that have strong importance to Black voters, especially poorer Black voters, and that the Democratic party and Black elected officals have largely ignored. Author makes strong and impassioned arguments and the book is worth a read.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

"They don't wanna fuck a Penny…they wanna fuck a Hope."

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[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet Norman in my neighborhood. He's a terrific writer! I'm not a big mystery reader but maybe I will check his out.

[Wash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this critique. Did not agree with it all, but definitely gained a new perspective on the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement.