Who's the Man?

Our Favorite Powerful Black Men

blackpowerpin

So, Obama may have this thing locked, huh? 'Bout time, especially since TV, movies and theater have known for decades that black men are great in positions of power. Not only is our physical presence in high offices different, therefore inherently unsettling and humbling, our skin tone goes great with the luxurious leather chairs on which VIPs perch.

After the jump, some of our favorite authoritative black men from throughout the years. (Sorry, ladies, we'll get you next time.) Check them out, and please be vocal with your agreement or displeasure.

Ice-T as Detective Scotty Appleton in New Jack City

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Mar 21, 2008 · posted by Cord Jefferson · Link · 7 Responses

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Tagged: Avery Brooks, Barack Obama, Cleavon Little, Denzel Washington, Ice-T, James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman, Sidney Poitier

Comments (7)

No. 1 · blackmistressdiva

In the Heat of the Night is a great movie (and subsequent great TV show) so I'm gonna have to go with Sidney being the only one on that list that's worthy.

Posted: Mar 21, 2008 at 7:40 pm

No. 2 · ilnazhad

If I didn't think it was annoying when people said "le sigh," I would say "le sigh" in response to the Sargent Major John Rawlins clip.
PS
One of my brother's friends used to love American History X. The first half of it. He hated "traitors."

Posted: Mar 21, 2008 at 8:24 pm

No. 3 · daria of Gorgeous Black Women

Most of the authoritative black leaders in TV and movies are gang leaders, drug lords and pimps so I wouldn't go applauding the media just because there are a few positive ones peppered sparingly.

Bout time, especially since TV, movies and theater have known for decades that black men are great in positions of power.
Black man = great leader?

It sure as hell has nothing to do with luxurious leather chairs or VIP anything. The ones enjoying that make up a very small percentage of leaders since most, black or white, are out in the world doing something.

Posted: Mar 21, 2008 at 9:34 pm

No. 4 · souldecirce

Avery Brooks was a great leader in amx.

i liked all these choices, but my favorite will have to be the wily Cleavon Little.

Posted: Mar 21, 2008 at 9:52 pm

No. 5 · kilo

@ DGBW

"Most of the authoritative black leaders in TV and movies are gang leaders, drug lords and pimps so I wouldn’t go applauding the media just because there are a few positive ones peppered sparingly."

And who's fault is that?

we been glamorizing that shit for years!

How many movies made by blacks for blacks are gangster movies…(whitch don't make any sense since all most notorius gansters were white.)

Posted: Mar 22, 2008 at 8:25 am

No. 6 · TruthTeller

@Soul, Avery Brooks, yes! as Captain Benjamin Sisco on Star Trek, Deep space9.
A booming, commanding voice and a terrific actor.

Posted: Mar 24, 2008 at 10:22 am

No. 7 · RCDC

I saw Avery Brooks play Oedipus in a production of the Theban trilogy in DC. it was amazing. all of the chorus parts were set into griot dances. he hit all the right parts.

i like glory but i thought it was more an ensemble thing?

other nominations: andre braugher as det. frank pembleton and yaphet kotto as al giardello, both from homicide, samule L jackson in… well almost anything actually. president palmer from 24?

Posted: Mar 29, 2008 at 4:16 pm

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