One of the main problems with black leadership in Alabama is reverse racism at the very top by these so-called elders in the SDEC and other organizations, and those they’re grooming to continue their reverse racism style leadership. This is very damaging to the future of the Alabama Democratic Party, especially the black democratic voter. Black Alabama voters are being played….by black leaders, and I really don’t like to call them “leaders” because in reality they’re pretenders. It’s hard not to see reverse racism in the actions, and some will say in the words of Joe Reed and Randy Kelley. Many democrats in Alabama see them using racial division and chaos to strong-arm the party, steal the SDEC election, and pack in Joe Reed’s sycophants that will give him the votes he wants. Leadership Similarities between the SDEC and the Trump Administration are too obvious to be ignored or to go unaccounted for.
Joe Reed has long whipped up racial tensions in order to cling to a position of power. He has diabolically misled the SDEC into a whipped-up like frenzy, only seen in the Trump administration and out of Reed & Kelley, and it seems these two have been exploiting the black voter for their own insecure and selfish desires of power and control. The SDEC has been molded in a cult like setting where you don’t dare upset the dear leader Reed. How sad it is that Reed had convinced so many of the “whitefolks’ boogeyman,” and many of the SDEC members didn’t just fall for it; it’s how their minds work. It’s a mindset stuck in the 50’s & 60’s that operates out of a fear of whites within the party. When you can’t bring the black voter anything of substance, and Reed & Kelley haven’t, this is how you operate the party. What is displayed by these two is a mix of intentional chaos with ignorance, and delusional grandeur. These two leaders, who have not produced anything (but blind followers) of substance, do what they usually do, which is to install or push for the person for the one who gives Reed a black vote, like the Republicans in Congress give Trump. It’s the exact same tactic of packing positions with people who will show blind loyalty to one flawed man by the name of Joe Reed.
Older black leaders in Alabama, like Reed, have a problem with stepping aside for the younger generation, embracing millennials, and putting them into party leadership positions with free will. Ultimately, Reed’s refusal to pass the torch has prevented the black community for many years from effectively leveraging the full potential of its diverse generations to tackle ongoing systemic issues. People like Reed & Kelley know that the younger generation sees through their failed leadership, and it could shed light on their failures when it comes to a youth caucus. We can already see some of the consequences when black leaders like Reed hang onto power for selfish reasons way after they’ve become ineffective:
Blocked Opportunities for Younger Generations: Talented and energetic young Black leaders often find themselves “locked out” of senior positions, which stifles their ability to address contemporary challenges with new energy and creative approaches.
Stagnation and Inflexibility: Older, long-serving leaders may become “set in their methods,” showing inflexibility and an unwillingness to adapt to new approaches, such as incorporating technology or modern leadership styles (e.g., flexible work arrangements or informal meetings). This can hinder progress and responsiveness to community needs.
Generational Disillusionment: A gap in priorities and communication can emerge between older and younger generations. Younger Black Americans are often more vocal about systemic racism and may have different perceptions of opportunity than their elders, leading to potential disengagement or distrust in existing institutions and leadership.
