New young Black leadership: Can it save the Democratic Party?

• "Young Black voters had better be careful", argues entertainer Chuck D. "November 2004 is important, but then there's December 2004, 2005. You don't want this to be an evaporating-agenda-program after election week is over and everything goes back to unusual--business as unusual. That's what's got to strike Black people, or Hispanic people: ?What's going to take care of me in December 2004?'" he continued. "The voting aspect (has) got to really, really have a lot of weight to it. And really, it does. Puffy (has) got a campaign, like ?Vote or Die.' Because, if the present administration gets another four years, we're the first to go. There's no kind of international connection with us as a people. And there ain't no domestic saving grace with us here," he stressed.

Symbolized by the face of certain-to-be-elected Illinois U.S. Senator Barack Obama, a new cadre of young Black leadership with ties to the hip hop movement has emerged around the nation, both inside and outside the Democratic Party. At the Democratic Convention, a record number of Black faces were seen as keynote speakers, including several primetime appearances. While this Black youth movement in national politics is mostly un-measured up until now, it could have unlimited future potential for change. [more ]