Transcending Boundaries: Toward an Ethical Philosophy for New Black Leadership in the American College

Abstract

Introduction While the headlines read that the numbers of racial/ethnic minorities on college campuses are not keeping pace with the overall growth in the college student population, the new intellectual power that exists on America's college campuses is at an all time high. The background, knowledge, and experiences that African American scholars--as well as American Indian/Native Alaskan, Asian Pacific Islander, and Hispanic/Latino scholars--bring to the American college in the 21st century is having a major impact on the institution of higher education in the United States. This impact will only grow and amend the culture of higher education if these new members (new with respect to traditional notions of the American college) continue to take advantage of the opportunities presented in academe and avoid the pitfalls that may impede their ability to survive, contribute, and flourish. The increase in African American scholars on college campuses did not happen by accident, but by design. In the infancy of the 21st century, the Black intellectual forces that have arrived on America's campuses are the product of the groundwork laid by such early thinkers as, Alexander Crummell, W. E. B. Dubois, Phyllis Wheatley, Booker T. Washington, Carter G. Woodson, Mary Bethune Cookman, and Martin Delaney. These early thinkers, who transcended the contemporary political labels of radical, liberal, and conservative, laid the groundwork for the leadership of Black America in the 21st Century. It is important that the thoughts, dreams, and visions of these pioneering figures in the realm of Black thought--along with some of their more contemporary counterparts--be kept in the forefront of our thinking and debate regarding an ethical philosophy of Black intellectual leadership. The focus of such a dialogue should be spearheading change in the American college that goes beyond the traditional Eurocentric paradigm that currently exists in these institutions. This new Black intellectualism has emerged on the American college campus at a crucial time in American history. It is a time when the American college is in need of fresh perspectives that can be provided by Black thinkers. A Black philosophy of ethical leadership has the opportunity to gain support and momentum due to the current void in ethical leadership in American society and a need to focus on issues of ethical treatment of marginalized groups. The author of this article contends that the need for a new standard of ethical leadership at this time in American history is clear. Further, this article argues that the American college, one of the leading institutions in American society, has embraced a Machiavellian philosophy of ethics, leadership, and action. The Machiavellianism that exists within the structures of these colleges and universities has had a profound and far reaching impact on American society. Additionally, the Eurocentric ideologies that have shaped the contemporary social conditions in America have also moved the country to the brink of disaster. The events of September 11, 2001 and its after shocks are a mere fraction of the strife that this nation may face if the current mono-cultural approach to decision making in matters of international, public and social policy continues to be the modus operandi. The American college campus provides the optimal venue for discussion and debate on issues related to equality, fairness, ethics, and philosophy in this country, but many of the leaders of these colleges have succumbed to the egoistic philosophy of Machiavelli. This article argues that the new Black intellectual leader, who has the ability to transcend racial and social boundaries, must be prepared to assert a more ethical base of leadership than is already present on the American college campus and set a new standard for leadership. It is important that Black intellectuals take on this role because of their unique historical and societal position. …