[The following excerpt was taken from an interview with Cleaver conducted by Hentoff for Playboy Magazine.]

PLAYBOY: You have written [in Soul on Ice] that "a new black leadership with its own distinct style and philosophy will now come into its own, to center stage. Nothing can stop this leadership from taking over, because it is based on charisma, has the allegiance and support of the black masses, is conscious of its self and its position and is prepared to shoot its way to power if the need arises." As one who is increasingly regarded as among the pivotal figures in this new black leadership, how do you distinguish the new breed from those—such as Roy Wilkins [of the NAACP] and Whitney Young [of the Urban League]—most Americans consider the established Negro spokesman?

CLEAVER: The so-called leaders you name have been willing to work within the...