You Thank You White!!!: Exploring Anti Intelletualism in Black America

You Thank You White!!!: Exploring Anti Intelletualism in Black America points to a unique problem regarding anti-intellecutalism in America. Dr. Clardy provides a glimpse into the criticism black intellectuals face within their community. He notes this started to develop in the 60s and, prior to that time, there was widespread acceptance of intellectuals in the black communities. He also notes the what is likely the primary cause of the change, which was the breakdown of the traditional family and, by extension, the community support structures. Pilloried at the time, Patrick Moynihan (a Liberal intellectual widely admired) authored The Negro Family:
The Case For National Action, fortelling the disasterous effects of misguided policies and societal breakdown. The breakdown led to the marginalization and eventual ridicule of intellectualism within the black community. He offers ways to reverse the status quo and I'll let readers decide.

I feel certain Dr. Clardy would defend the intellectual weight of prominant conservative blacks. He certainly doesn't share their beliefs, but seems committed to ensuring academic stature is respected. The problem is that certain powers in the black community allow and possibly initiate some nasty smears on conservative blacks. Senator Reid, among others, openly characterizes Justice Thomas as "an embarrassment to the Supreme Court," yet never cite specific briefs as evidence. Pat Oliphant depicts Condi Rice as a mindless parrot and Jeff Danziger portrays her as Prissy in "Gone With the Wind". Where's the outrage? Left Wing/Right Wing nonsense aside, until the black community draws the line that such offensive and stereotypical attacks against any distinguished black American is unacceptable, the problem will persist.