Ronald E. McNair Program


Kendra D. Marshall
  SCHOOL:  Alcorn State University
  MAJOR:  Mass Communications
  MENTOR:   Dr. Ethel Young-Minor
  EXPECTED GRADUATION DATE:  May 2002
  ORGANIZATIONS & HONORS
  • Who’s Who Among American Colleges & Universities
  • Dean’s List Scholar
  • Mississippi Communications Club
  • NAACP
  • NCNW
  • Baptist Student Union
  • National TaeKwonDo Confederation
   email:  klove220@collegeclub.com

 
 


 

ABSTRACT
 

Black Intellectuals: The Illumination and Preservation of a Tradition


     Since the late 1980’s, the black community has witnessed resurgence in the development of and attention given to a group of people often referred to as “Black Intellectuals.” They are often self-appointed race experts who exist because many of the socio-historical dilemmas impacting the black race are debated as national issues or problems. The role of the intellectual, then is to enter the debate and assume the posture of one who is able to share cultural truths such as: what is actually happening in the black community, what is done or thought by blacks in general, and how blacks should prepare themselves for the future. Black Intellectuals, in short, are people who speak out with clarity concerning issues relevant to the black race as a whole. In this project, the role of the Black Intellectual will be illuminated, and history and facts about the Black intellectual will be shared. Finally, the paper offers discussion about whose responsibility it is preserve the tradition of Black Intellectualism.