Man, this one really, really hurts. I haven't been this disappointed in another black man since Kobe snitched on Shaq.
I can accept, and to some degree understand how civil rights era
I don't usually believe anything I read on MediaTakeOut, or anything I hear on The Michael Baisden Show, but when there's actual audio to back up the claims, I gotta conclude that this is true.
Apparently Tavis Smiley is upset that Barack Obama didn't come and kiss his booty before announcing that he's running for president. Since then, Tavis has been publicly criticizing the Democratic front-runner.I mean, c'mon Tavis. We know how important the
But things all came to a head a few days ago. You see, Tavis put out the word that he wanted both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to attend his State Of Black America conference in Louisiana this week. Barack reached out to Tavis and explained to him that he's busy campaigning in States with upcoming primaries, so he can't make it over to Tavis' event. And he offered to have his wife Michelle attend the event in his place.
Well that wasn't good enough for Tavis - who put the word out that Michelle Obama is not welcome at the event. According to Tavis - if Barack can't attend, he didn't want Michelle there either.
I may be missing something in the equation here, but Obama has made every Smiley/Joyner debate during this campaign. John McCain, however, followed the rest of the then-Republican frontrunners and completely stood Tavis up on nationwide TV during that PBS debate at Morgan State a few months back. I wonder if he'll uninvite Cindy McCain while he's at it. I'm not holding my breath though.
I could obviously bash Tavis for only looking out for self here at the expense of the bigger picture (duh, there's a black man in the midst of a serious run for the White House here!), but reality is, I'm so disappointed in him, I'd rather just end this post now.
MLK Is Crying Inside.
Question: Did Tavis drink a gallon of Haterade, or does he have a point?
Bonus: Obama also didn't make last year's State of The Black Union. He just happened to be announcing his candidacy that day. Watch Cornell West and Tavis rip him a new one.
Michelle Obama Discusses Tavis Slight On The Michael Baisden Show [Audio]
CRABS IN A BARREL!! TAVIS SMILEY IS NOW GOING HARD AT BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA [MediaTakeOut]
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Well I never cared for Tavis. Anytime he was on Tom Joyner, just spouting off words in his professional angry black man tone I wondered who was this dude. Something about him just doesn't agree with me...like bad Chinese food you paid 5 bucks for.
Tavis's actions definitely deserve a "Knee-grow Please" And I'm sure he'll be doing more crying than MLK if Obama makes it into the Big House. How did the hook of that song Lil Kim and Puff use to sing? "No time for fake ones..." Hmmmmm. Yeah.
Tavis is doing what he has always done. Look out for number one. Imagine how much cash he could have raked in if Barak would have shown up?
Tavis is straight trippin'. I used to have respect for his hussle. I watch his show on PBS. I purchased 'The Covenant With Black America'. Had me so fired up, I went and purchased "The Covenant In Action'. The brother had me inspired; ready to go... in the words of Obama.
His latest actions have only inspired me to box up those books and return them to Mr. Smiley, along with a photo of my middle finger.
Of course Hillary is going to go. She needs to go, but Barry should be stumping in Texas so he can turn that mutha out come next month.
Who gives a damn about Tavis, who appointed him the king of Black American and if you don't come to his event you don't care about blacks. Whateva.
On another blog someone said the SOTBU reminded them of a tent revival and they were right. I enjoy watching it but it's a contest to see who has the best punchlines and one-liners. Someone says a rhyme and the crowd goes nutz!!!
Barry needs to keep doing what got him this far so he gets all the way into the white house. Close isn't good enough. You all know if he starts being associated too closely to the plight of black america it's a wrap. He plays it both ways just like any other Black in corporate american has ever done. If not it'll be another case of "Keepin it real gone wrong"
Jealousy raises its head, and the face of it is Tavis Smiley. It's closest brother is Bobcat Johnson.
That's all dat is.....
EG
Tavis needs to check his ego. If he's in service to "the people" he'll take his "ho sit down" card and breathe deep in the corner until this ish is locked.
If Obama is in office, we can hold his feet to the fire and pressure him to move forward elements of a progressive agenda.
He seems a little more reasonable than some and I think that the grassroots folks who got him this far will not take no stuff if they manage to get him all the way.
If Tavis and other HNs can't see the forest for the trees, then they need to check themselves.
These folks really want me to keep taking off my earrings!
I am so pissed off at Tavis I don't know what to do. I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt but after I heard he wouldn't take Michelle I got very angry with him... What the hell does he mean it's not "appropriate" for her to come? She is black ain't she??
Tavis need to settle his a** down before he gets knocked off his little perch we have given him.
Tavis had the absolute right to ask. Mr. Obama had the absolute right to politely turn him down. Mr. Obama is busy right now, running a full-on campaign for the White House, and making history, thank you very much.
Full disclosure: I am a white Republican who likes to hear what ALL people think and say, not just right-wing conservative stuff.
I too bought the Covenant, and How To Make Black America Better. Interesting, then, that on Tavis' list of ways to make Black America better, No. 1 is Think Black First, 100% of the time. Tavis advises us to be mindful of who do business with, who we hire, etc. "Start by at least considering the Black possibilites. If we can't help ourselves and look out for each other, how can we expect anyone else to?"
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Looks like another one, I'll be trading at the used book store. Maybe I can swap it for a copy of The Audacity of Hope.
I gave up on the "State", after many years of watching the rotating cast of usual suspects over and over and over again.
I'm just saying...shouldn't Cornel West be in the studio collaborating on a new track with, say, Bill Cosby or Kayne or Timbo or somebody? LOL!...And don't get me started about the gospel extravaganza/revival/come to Jesus tent meeting at the end. It's just so formulaic.
It just seems to me that a fresh approach is needed. I'd like to hear some new voices.I've grown tired of the same old bitching and moaning. It's time to move on.
Some may not like this--but it's my opinion that for all the whining about diversity that some of our folk do, they are resistant to truly embracing it. All the more reason for me to campaign for Barack.
I'm done! Tavis has pissed me off beyond all measure on this one, and I don't want to hear anything else he has to say.
AVERAGE BRO!?!! Are you really using Media Take Out as a source!?!!
Do not believe everything you read in black and white. What I'm noticing more and more throughout the blogoshere is that many people are just putting unsubstantiated information and many are extremely quick to voice their opinions and judgement without a concern for the full complete story.
The sad part is that many people have reported this non-issue replete with misinformation and highly opinionated commentary and apparently very quick to use name-calling and finger-pointing to express their views on Tavis smiling. Maybe we're all guilty of this to some point, but it is a sad trend in the blogosphere.
Tavis has already addressed this non-issue thoroughly.
Check out his statements.
Tavis offers Clarity and Closure to Obama Controversy:
http://mokellyreport.blogspot.com/2008/02/tavis-smiley-offers-written-transcript.html
@vee, I read the letter. I also saw Tavis address Mr. Obama's absence at another event that was televised on C-Span. Tavis read an apology from Mr. Obama, which stated in essence, that although he'd would love to be there, his schedule simply didn't allow him to do so. I Also watched in disgust as Dr. West made snarky comments relative to the apology immediately after Tavis read it. Tavis then smugly smiled and made childish facial contortions, before saying something along the lines of "hey, I'm just relaying the message he asked me to give."
I was appalled. My comments still stand.
Our prominent black leaders Tavis, Maxine Waters, John Lewis, Al, Jesse, Andrew Young and Cornel West has realize that Obama don't need their support to make this thing happen.
Don't get me wrong Obama would love to have the support of his peeps but, at the end of the day he has to move on. Tavis has made comments like how Obama needs the black powerful democrats support,wrong.
I believe it is personal with Tavis.
I've read the letter,
- Tavis offers Clarity and Closure to Obama Controversy:
http://mokellyreport.blogspot.com/2008/02/tavis-smiley-offers-written-transcript.html -
What more can he say to address this issue? Tavis has earned my respect and admiration over a long period of time. He's not going to lose it over this issue. Because he's right. What better time for Mr. Obama to take advantage of an oppotunity?
I believe the man is the head and the woman is the heart. And that if Tavis wants Obama there, he's within reason to stick to his guns.
Tavis has somewhat earned the right to be described as the black people's executive. I think what he's trying to tell us is that our minds should not be made up. Neither candidate, to me, has effectively "stuck out their necks" regarding initiatives aimed at "undoing Bush" within the black community.
So just let Tavis have his fun.
@ errybody
Upon second thought, I get Tavis' point. He is trying to get Obama to understand that not showing makes it appear that he's taking the black vote for granted. He also wants to revive the very shaky ratings of this annual show by setting up Obama and Hill for guaranteed fireworks.
I don't agree with this still, nor do I like the way Tavis has handled this publicly. But I understand.
My concern is that people like Tavis and other old school Civil Rights leaders are taking this crab mentality to the next level. In a push to be back door supporters of Massa and Missus while realizing that there are other issues afflicting our community other than civil rights, they seem to be trying to pull O down.
In the end, they may find that the only seat they get is at the children's table while the rest of adults work to make a better life for our community.
Tavis Smiley has more than the crabs. His behavior toward Obama not attending the State of Black Union Symposium is nothing less than self-serving, retaliatory and envy. Tavis Smiley is not being true to himself when he says, "The invitation was just an invitation." He should make a public apology for his unbecoming behavior. Most agree that Obama made the right choice to focus on the Texas and Ohio primaries for obvious reasons. Obama doesn't have to prove anything to Smiley. Tavis you should lose a lot of sleep over this!!
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