After slavery, our ancestors each generation were left with one essential question: How should we live in this country? This chapter will identify the major ideologies held by prominent African American leaders throughout history, specifically in regards to this essential question. It will also discuss the differences between these varying philosophical branches , how I believe they eventually converged together, and, most importantly, why they converged together. Learning from this history, I will elaborate on how I believe we should move forward as a collective group.