What distinguishes a Black pundit from a Black activist--their motives or their quantifiable political-economic impact? (I've gotten some very interesting responses from a couple young Black PhDs, and I'm curious about what your take is, if you have one).
This is a big one. I think the short answer is that a pundit is generally addressing the audience of the chatting classes (thought leaders, policy makers, professionals in the domain), whereas an activist is generally addressing the 'grass roots' (local politicians & media, community organizations & the street). It is not often an overlapping skillset. The political impact of activists is often immediate but over the long term makes little difference unless they can convert into an elected official. The impact of pundits is much more difficult to track, but they tend to be more influential in the long haul.
I think of an excellent example of an activist would be Earl Ofari Hutchinson or Najee Ali. In LA black politics, nobody makes a move without them and they stay very well connected. But their national influence is basically zero.
Juan Williams, on the other hand, can affect nothing in local politics. But there is not a national issue that he's not up to speed on.
