The biggest gamble of the past election was made by the African-American leadership.

The African-American leadership has a lot of angst about this," he said, adding: "It's not just a black problem, but we are the most acutely affected.

But he added of the battle over Chief Parks, "Absolutely, this has implications for the status of the African-American leadership in the city."

He's the walking symbol of the best of African-American leadership in a city where there is a feeling they are in danger.

Our city government, not used to strong African-American leadership, views any complaints as dissension.

They formed the bedrock of an emerging black elite and were disproportionately represented in the African-American leadership during Reconstruction and well into the 20th century.

Not the older African-American political leadership (but they'll all bark like a pit bull over the lyrics they don't like).

It is not an absence of "African-American leadership."

"I think it is time for a new generation of African-American leadership," Mr. Muhammad said.

Alas, not only is this growing worse, but misguided ethnic pride on the part of African-American leadership and mistaken liberal policy are exacerbating it.