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Stand Strong, Tavis
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Posted By:
macemore30 at 02/28/2008 3:28:33 PM
Comment:
I disagree with article. We are in a unique place in history. One we have never navigated before. America is not fair and therefore I don't think Obama would receive the same reaction that Jews or others would receive if they focused on their issues. I, personally don't want him to be seen as a president for black people. Most of us should KNOW how America works by now. We are this close to realizing a dream and changing America. I don't want Obama to ruin that by giving in to Tavis' "tantrum". The masses seem to get this but I don't know why others don't. The same rules have never applied to us and they didn't start being fair yesterday. -
Posted By:
ce_me_flow at 02/28/2008 4:44:24 AM
Comment:
The State of the Black Union event is basically an event for black talking heads to pontificate based on their respective viewpoints of the current state of black community. Very little has come out of the event in terms of ACTION that positively affects Black America. As a candidate involved in TWO tightly contested primaries where victory in either one or both could substantially boost his chances of becomming the Democratic Party presidential nominee Obama was much better served campaigning in Texas and Ohio. -
Posted By:
gegroff at 02/27/2008 9:14:24 PM
Comment:
No one should be judged based on the color of their skin. Tavis is merely following this conviction. For him to be looked down upon because he isn't on Obama's side is racist in itself. It is wrong for anyone to vote for a candidate based solely on the color of skin. I am a white American and I am glad to vote for Obama. It is not about the color of a person's skin it is about what they can do for America. I am proud to be alive to see what appears to be Martin Luther King Junior's dream come to fruition. -
Posted By:
jonesy1st at 02/27/2008 2:10:48 PM
Comment:
If a businessman (George Bush) runs for the presidency, businesspeople didn???t ask questions they just supported him. If a Jew were to run, Jews wouldn???t ask questions they would just support him. Why is it when a black man runs, he has to prove to Tavis??? liking, what that black man will do for black people? Tavis is just wrong. Everyone knows he???s in the Clinton camp but the problem comes in when he pretends to be fair while trying to fool his listeners. He???s always talking about others that don???t give blacks credit for having common sense and then he didn???t give his own listeners any credit. Now that he has been caught stabbing his own people in the back he???s upset. Get over it Tavis, now you???ll have to get a real job! -
Posted By:
jonesy1st at 02/27/2008 1:55:40 PM
Comment:
If a businessman (George Bush) runs for the presidency, businesspeople didn???t ask questions they just supported him. If a Jew were to run, Jews wouldn???t ask questions they would just support him. Why is it when a black man runs, he has to prove to Tavis??? liking, what that black man will do for black people? Tavis is just wrong. Everyone knows he???s in the Clinton camp but the problem comes in when he pretends to be fair while trying to fool his listeners. He???s always talking about others that don???t give blacks credit for having common sense and then he didn???t give his own listeners any credit. Now that he has been caught stabbing his own people in the back he???s upset. Get over it Tavis, now you???ll have to get a real job! -
Posted By:
thrasher at 02/27/2008 10:16:03 AM
Comment:
The professor argument is petty and an insult to Black voters. I resent the professor need to contrast Jewish voters as being more important and demanding than Black voters. The professor is expressig his short comings with this low self esteem and apparently the good profesor needs White and Jewish voters acts to validate his life. Tavis is as petty and impotent as the professor... -
Posted By:
Niceyung05 at 02/27/2008 12:32:41 AM
Comment:
I weep because it is so sad that with the elegance and class that both Mr. Smiley (on BET, on NPR, on the Tom Joyner Show, with the Covenant For Black America and at each and every S.O.B.U.) and that which Senator and Mrs. Obama have exemplified for us and to us (as a unified family in his bid for the presidency), we are using them as the basis to voice our internalized self-hatred and lack mentality. People WE CAN HAVE THEM BOTH! Tavis doing his job as a prize winning journalist and Senator Barak Obama as a presidential candidate. Neither has to bow to the other and neither need be discarded to lift the other up. I love you Tavis Smiley. I love you Barak Obama. Please forgive me if I have in anyway contributed to mass confusion, public hysteria and the devaluing of your role in world history. Please forgive US for not lifting you both as beacons for the world to see. Still I weep. -
Posted By:
Niceyung05 at 02/27/2008 12:30:11 AM
Comment:
By the time I got to the comments of February 16th, I was weeping so I went back and read and listened before posting. I am still weeping. Unless I missed something, it seems to me that these messages are doing to Tavis the very thing we are accusing Tavis of doing to Senator Obama. Holding him to a higher and imaginary standard. Hatin' on him. Putting him in a box. Strokin' the collective ego of our community that seems to be running after the next big thing. Someone offered that the S.O.B.U was Tavis' baby and he was upset about his baby being dismissed, from what I have read, Obama is now the black community's baby and we are upset about him being dissed. What saddens me is that from what I see - - - IT NEVER HAPPENED! Tavis made a request. Senator Obama made a request. Tavis expressed an opinion. Senator Obama expressed an opinion. Now everyone is taking a side to express their opinion of the opinions. This is exactly what our prize media commentator, Tavis Smiley and our future President, the first Black president of the United States do not need - - our crab in the barrel mentality being aired publically with conviction, venom and absolutely no accountability. For more years that I can remember, we have embraced and supported Tavis Smiley's efforts on behalf of the Black community. Now because he, as a journalist says something about Senator Obama, who we are still learning about Tavis is an ego tripping sell out? It doesn't happen that quickly my loves. You cannot be in the public eye this long, doing this much work and not show your true colors. Tavis has been a journalist longer than Senator Obama has been a public servant. We have supported and benefitted from the ground breaking YES ground breaking efforts of Mr. Tavis Smiley who brought us news, information and commentary unparralled by any other Black commentator. In fact, I could be wrong but I believe it was Tavis Smiley who brought us up-to-date news about Senator Obama and his bid for the Senate. We folks in Philly, DC, Detroit etc has not a clue who Barak Obama was until we heard Tom Joyner and Tavis Smiley sing his praises in his bid to be the first black senator from IL. I also believe it was Tavis who brought Senator Obama to our children in his leadership iniative. Young black college students heard from Obama about the demands of leadership and the need for self-mastery. Perhaps some of the posters should have been there. Now, Obama is the next big thing and Tavis is hatin'. -
Posted By:
Blinky at 02/26/2008 6:38:33 PM
Comment:
you are correct to ask blacks to hold Obama accountable. recently he was photograph in Texas wearing a cowboy hat at a Hispanic event listening to latin music, but he could not go to New Orleans. Also he has not commented on the Jenna event. Shame on him, shame on us for letting him off so easy.-
Posted By:
macemore30 at 02/28/2008 3:30:44 PM
Comment:
He was one of the first to comment on Jena.
-
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Posted By:
Blinky at 02/26/2008 6:34:09 PM
Comment:
You are correct blacks should expect more from Obama. recently he was photograph in Texas at a Hispanic event wearing a cowboy hat listening to latin music, but he could not go to New Orlens or comment on the Jenna event. Shame on him, shame on us for looking past that. -
Posted By:
anna at 02/26/2008 6:08:12 PM
Comment:
I admit I was dismayed and a little confused regarding Obama's "dis" appearance at Tavis's talk fest. However having viewed last year when many of his guests were down right nasty to Sen. Obama for having the audicity to think that he could run for president, and if I'm not mistaken that is where the whole ridiculous "is he black enough" discussion began. That being said, Sen. Obama missed an opportunity to reach a much larger audience. I understand that he offered to send a surrogate - Michelle Obama but Mr. Smiley refused. It seems to me that surrogates are entirely acceptable during campaign season. One thing I also want to get off my chest is the fact that the Tavis Smiley is supported by Wal-Mart the same Mega Global corporation stifiling America and African Americans everywhere. Do your thing Tavis, but don't try and stop Obama for doing his. Oh yeah, I guess you can try afterall this is America, but I suggest you wear a bumper suit, cuz the trian is steaming down the tracks. -
Posted By:
Laureate at 02/26/2008 6:05:10 PM
Comment:
I cannot believe this article got posted on this manipulate the dumb Negroes website. -
Posted By:
David Bohr at 02/26/2008 11:59:07 AM
Comment:
I agree with your view on holding Obama accountable, as we should hold all politicians accountable, but accountability doesn't come into play until after one has been elected. Now is the time to analyze each candiddates record to determine which candidate is right for you. My point is that one should be careful about heaping condemnation upon a candidate just because he or she couldn't attend the State of the Black Union. Furthermore, just because a candidate attends a summit meeting dooesn't mean that they are on your side. It simply means that they want your vote and would probably do anything to get it including telling you want you want to hear. It's the same deal when around election time, all of a sudden candidates running for offices have a mysterious interest in visiting your church, and you don't have a clue as to who these people are, but they need your vote. Just because someone is in your face it doesn't make them your friend. -
Posted By:
Stand for a True Brother at 02/26/2008 11:55:37 AM
Comment:
....Obama has come along an unapologetically wiped the floor with many of these fakes and poseurs. Tavis, Jesse, Al, Maxine - are just a few of them. Obama is not doing business as usual (grease black palms to get a collective "Amen" for the brother) --- so now, folks who are left on the outside of the campaign are jealous and still trying to be relevant ----look- it WILL NOT HAPPEN! All the slaves that shuck and jive after Hillary (the race batier) - need to be ashamed. Oh - and did I mention that the Clintons are regular advertisors and contributors to Tavis' ventures ---yeah - forgot to say that ---- so a lot of the bought and sold house-kneegrows are still pining for "da' massa" - even aftter they have injected racial politics into this debate (remember South Carolina) - tried to questions Baracks Blacknedss (Andrew Young) - and tried to link him (swift boat him) to Muslim fundamientalists ---- what they are doing is what many self-important, self-entitled people in corporate America do all the time....you've probably been on the other end of some bitter Blacks who are jealous of your life, your career, your family, your house, your affluence, your education ---- even when you go above and beyond the call of duty- there are still haters - because we as Blacks tend to specialize in hating folk who are doing well. Well, I say Barack Obama - keep surrounding yourself with a cross-section of America. Ignore Tavis and the other weak-minded nobodies---they want to be you - but sadly they never will --- their jealously is as clear as the prom queen getting upstaged by a prettier, classier new freshman "IT girl" ---welllObama is the "IT GUY" - Tavis all of your step-n-fetch it ilk ---- sweeties - your time is up.....crawl back to the BIG PLANTATION and let this man do his thing---you are dismissed --- keep asking for Massa Bills and Mizz Hillarys table scraps --- Oh - and prepare to get STEAMROLLED by your consituents - who voted for Obama - and are just now realizing you to be the slaves that you are...... So Tavis - you can stand strong --- but like Michael Eric Dyson said ---it doesn't matter --Braack is a biblical name --- he is predestined for greatness ---as for you? Well, not so much ---you're merely destined for a lot of low-level, irrelevant HATING! You are out-educated and out-classed by Barack and Michele. You and your "beckys" will never attain all that he has ---- so stand strong Tavis ---yeah that's right - Stand Strong in the knowledge that Barack will win without you - and that when he does, it will be the official death nail in the coffin of FAKE BLACK INTELLECTS -- HE IS THE REAL DEAL!! --Buh-bye now! -
Posted By:
Stand for a True Brother at 02/26/2008 11:55:09 AM
Comment:
Tavis is a slave. I am so sick of these step-n-fetch it nobdoies. He is upset that he, and other similarly backwards civil rights leaders, are no longer the door in which black americans must pass before getting the collective "seal of approval". I used to really respect Tavis. I have watched him for years - bet, pbs, npr etc. But to try and dress up his public flogging of Obama as anything more than pure jealousy is silly. Tavis, for a while, was considered a rising star in Black intelligensia. Obama has come along an unapologetically wiped the floor with many of these fakes and poseurs. Tavis, Jesse, Al, Maxine - are just a few of them. Obama is not doing business as usual (grease black palms to get a collective "Amen" for the brother) --- so now, folks who are left on the outside of the campaign are jealous and still trying to be relevant ----look- it WILL NOT HAPPEN! All the slaves that shuck and jive after Hillary (the race batier) - need to be ashamed. Oh - and did I mention that the Clintons are regular advertisors and contributors to Tavis' ventures ---yeah - forgot to say that ---- so a lot of the bought and sold house-kneegrows are still pining for "da' massa" - even aftter they have injected racial politics into this debate (remember South Carolina) - tried to questions Baracks Blacknedss (Andrew Young) - and tried to link him (swift boat him) to Muslim fundamientalists ---- what they are doing is what many self-important, self-entitled people in corporate America do all the time....you've probably been on the other end of some bitter Blacks who are jealous of your life, your career, your family, your house, your affluence, your education ---- even when you go above and beyond the call of duty- there are still haters - because we as Blacks tend to specialize in hating folk who are doing well. Well, I say Barack Obama - keep surrounding yourself with a cross-section of America. Ignore Tavis and the other weak-minded nobodies---they want to be you - but sadly they never will --- their jealously is as clear as the prom queen getting upstaged by a prettier, -
Posted By:
janinedm at 02/26/2008 10:43:28 AM
Comment:
I do hold him accountable, but you have to admit that the Black Establishment has been lukewarm towards him at best until primary season started. He drew his early support from voters under 35. Obama has consistently avoided the top down, talk-to-a-few-leaders approach favored by Clinton (which failed her by the way). So why would he attend. Seriously. I respect all of those guys, but they're no longer the gatekeepers of the Black electorate. -
Posted By:
Debbie at 02/26/2008 10:24:40 AM
Comment:
Yes, stand strong, Tavis, but stand with you fee strongly planted on earth. Keep you feet firmly planted on the ground. He knew that, being a Clinton supporter, he was trying to sabotage Obama. Why would Tavis go on a temper tantrum over the public airwaves "demonizing" Obama for not attening his (Tavis') party?! No one is saying that Obama does not need to address the issues of Black folk, but right in the throes of the last days of the campaign, Tavis goes on a tirade, thinking that he is going to rile the African Americans against Obama. (By the way, Obama has been addressing these issues all long; health care, educattion, etc. Why does he need to come to Tavis' talkfest in order to prove he is black and "down" with us??) **** Tavis has done a lot of good work over the years, getting our folk to think, but when it comes right down to it, Tavis is out for himself. *** This is not about Tavis' support for Hillary. As far as I'm concerned, we have two wonderful candidataes to choose from. Both viable. However, Tavis using his bully pulpit to villify Obama for not breaking stride to come to his (Tavis') party, thinking he was going to bring Obama down, was utterly ridiculous. Tavis has shown his true color -- green. *** Obama got to where he is now without Tavis. Evidently, Tavis is not the king/queen maker he thought he was. As he now realizes, he "ain't all that or a bag of chips." **** Stand Strong, Tavis, but with you feet firmly planted on planet Earth. If you want to criticize Obama for his policies, do so! But to villify him for not taking the time to attend YOUR party -- to have an audience before Pope Tavis -- is utterly ridiculous! -
Posted By:
ladybee21 at 02/26/2008 9:33:03 AM
Comment:
Why in the world does Tavis speak for all black voters? He doesn't speak for me. His criticism of Obama is not reflected in his voting record, perhaps he just wants to make sure that his third book is also a best seller. And his pitiful questioning of Clinton certainly was not reflective of any effort to take her to task. And then the SOTBU got written up in the times as "oh, isn't Clinton nice to Negroes, she took time out of her busy schedule and apologized sort of for Bill's comments..." She was just trying to bully Obama into attending. If he had gone there it would have been "see, more evidence, he isn't a patriot, he wants to be president of the black union..."
Black voters aren't dumb. Obama has spoken at black churches, black colleges, (I saw him at NC Central months ago.) We can and already have held Obama accountable without Tavis' help. I've never voted for Tavis, but I damn sure am going to vote for Obama.
Tavis is way off track. You are only a leader if you represent those who follow. Tavis' ego, and his personal relationship with Bill Clinton, seems to have gotten in the way of his vision. -
Posted By:
POLpursun at 02/26/2008 7:41:29 AM
Comment:
Oh! The woes of blacks being circa 12% of the U.S. population. Now, I saw a statistic which indicated that there are circa 15 million Jews in the WORLD. Another indicates that in 2007 41% of Jews lived in Israel. Interesting, isn't it, that NO ONE can become potus if he/she does not toe the Israeli line. -
Posted By:
Debbie at 02/26/2008 4:39:14 AM
Comment:
Tavis was trying to sabotage Obama, and it didn't work! Nobody is saying that Obama should not be held accountable to Blacks, but at this crucial time Obama needed to be campaigning. Why did he have to villify him over the radio airwaves? Clearly, Tavis is for Hillary, and that's his prerogative! But to have a public temper tantrum about Obama not coming to His party is clearly an attempt to "demonize" him. Obama got to where he is WITHOUT coming through Tavis, Jesse, Al, et. al. Obama has been campaigning and debating these black issues (which are AMERICAN issues) all along (health care, education, war, etc.). TAVIS needs to check himself. He's not the king/queenmaker he thinks he is. Yes, Stand Strong, Tavis, but make sure that you are standing with your feet firmly planted on planet Earth!!! As you've learned over the past few weeks, you ain't all that!! No one is saying that Obama should not be criticized, but if you have a disagreement with his policies, criticize him on those, but NOT because he didn't show up at YOUR party! He's making it without you, brotha. -
Posted By:
varyvegas at 02/25/2008 10:51:19 PM
Comment:
I couldn't disagree with you more. I still don't understand what all the fuss is about. Barack didn't say no, he said not right now. This man is in the midst of the political fight of his life. Has that fact gone completely unnoticed??!! I wonder sometimes if black folks have completely lost their minds. I liken it to being with some super needy black man that needs me to be up under him all the time so that he knows I love him. I know that Obama loves black people. It's reflected in his personal life. I just need him to fix America. I don't personally need a personal promise from him that he will "fix things" just for Black folks. Just fix the country. We all benefit from that. -
Posted By:
Ctundra at 02/25/2008 10:33:08 PM
Comment:
I will never trust Tavis Smiley again and forever I will be suspicious of his actions. Tavis' criticism of Sen. Obama appeared very personal - like Tavis failed in his mission. Remember, when the Pope was shot, he was shot around his own people, when Dr. King and Malcolm were assassinated, both were around their own folks, "those" who were suppose to have their backs. Was Tavis trying to set Obama up? Who controls Tavis' actions and funds his projects?
Politican's spouses always step up to represent - So why was Tavis against Michelle Obama presence?
One more thing, when Shirley Chisholm ran for presidency in 1972, a Black woman, N.O.W. did not support her nor did the Hillary Clilnton, nor did a lot of Black politicians and Nixon won anyway; Therefore, Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee was wrong in her statement (at the SOTBU 2008) that implied Hillary is the first woman to run for presidency.
Peace,
Christine -
Posted By:
lamontquen at 02/25/2008 9:34:46 PM
Comment:
???I think the criticism of Smiley is ridiculous and have a message for him: Stand Strong,??? Michael K. Fauntroy.
I agree. Further, it is unfortunate that some people are/where threatening Mr. Smiley over his comments concerning Mr. Obama. Mr. Smiley has the right to criticize or praise whomever he pleases.
I too, have the utmost respect for Mr. Smiley. I am a fan of his and have supported him by watching his television show and purchasing four copies of his book, ???The Covenant with Black America??? keeping one, and gifting the others.
While the opening statement above is to be admired, in my opinion, other aspects of your column are questionable.
I would argue your statement concerning the apologetic position that many blacks are taking regarding Barack Obama???s candidacy is incorrect and misleading. What is your premise for that claim?
Who said Obama should not talk about issues facing black people?
Is Mr. Smiley???s forum the only place to talk about black issues?
Group think, color before accountability?
The column uses those words to what end? Group think (black people are stupid and do not form intelligent independent opinions) and color before accountability (most black people did not support Obama in the beginning of his candidacy), are they to incite falsehoods and negative feelings between our own? Or, are you placing them under the label, I am telling it like it is. Keeping it real???
My question is, who is stopping black people from seeking accountability?
It is not wrong to ask any presidential candidate to address black people and speak on black issues.
Senator Obama declined to attend a forum, ok. Second, he stated he would be campaigning, which is true. Third, he is by no means a lock for the nomination.
I argue, we, as people need to focus more on our issues and what we can do for ourselves. Each man and woman beginning within their family and spreading out from there, before we look to any one President, or candidate, or movie star, or comedian, to resolve issues in our community. If they choose to help based on principles and values, so be it, if they choose not to help, so be it. We are the determiners of our future. Look at the statistics...while it can be argued that there are impediments to the success of minorities. Statistically, we are killing ourselves, in almost every aspect that can be applied, and are placing education at the bottom of the priority list.
Cosby said it best, ???WAKE UP PEOPLE!???
Can we please move on? Obama is a politician, hence the reason his colleague Mrs. Rodham-Clinton was there and why none of the major republican candidates at the time debated on black issues at the Black College Debate. Was Michael Steele or Alan Keyes (a listed 2008 presidential candidate) at the forum, where is the outrage? Or, where they not invited to attend?
???Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. It is the only thing that ever has,??? Tavis Smiley.
B -
Posted By:
jwilliams at 02/25/2008 8:36:25 PM
Comment:
Wow! Please be rational and reasonable in your thinking. Forget the fact that Barack Obama is a black man. Are you suggesting that a presidential candidate pander to a special interest group?
I would argue point to point but your article on it???s merits falls on it???s face. -
Posted By:
amalind at 02/25/2008 8:19:22 PM
Comment:
Smiley is CONSISTENTLY bashing Obama for not showing up because he is black, but what happened to consistency when came to McCain. I guess because he is white he is not expected to be there. very consistent! -
Posted By:
blessinggirl at 02/25/2008 7:48:22 PM
Comment:
Oh, so you're burning up with jealousy too? Please. Senator Obama made four campaign stops in Ohio Saturday. I attended his last event at 8:30 pm this past Saturday. Both you and Tavis demean all of us who support the Senator by implying we are color-struck, deluded and not making wise choices. And it seems Mrs. Clinton's appearance served to defend her husband's comments, not illuminate how she would single blacks out and put our needs above the country's. Since your bio describes you actually writing a book about Republicans, I'm not surprised by your essay. Tavis is self-serving, pompous and believes himself to be the godfather of Black America. He is deluded, and so are you. -
Posted By:
boboknight at 02/25/2008 7:21:24 PM
Comment:
I am very disappointed at some of our so call "black leaders"? The thought that we would have some "black leaders" that would endorse any Clinton after their shameful in moral leadership during the White House years is a commentary on how low the moral values are of our so call ???black leaders???! If you have folks that can't even be faithful to each other, fail to have full disclosure and transparency in their dealings both personal and business, run a poor managed campaign, and poor working relationship with others, why would we think that they would be good leaders/partners and promote our interest in a effective way?
The good new is our young people 45 and under do understand the process and Obama's positions: unify all of America, not forcing a broken universal health system on Americans, but making health care more affordable via subsidies, affordable education, fairness by leveling our playing fields, smart tax brakes for corporation that are helping American worker???s, restoring America's position in the world, opening the lines of communication with our enemies without unilateral positions which are disrespectful at best. You can't solve problems without a starting point? If you are a "black leader" and you endorsed Hillary Clinton, maybe you don't understand the big picture in our changing world, and simply may just be out of touch with everyday people both Black, White, Latino, and Asian? It???s been my experience when business leaders, sports players, medical and law professional, etc.. are out of touch they retire? What do you think misguided Clinton endorsing ???black leaders???? In touch or out of touch? -
Posted By:
tobaccoschild at 02/25/2008 7:17:40 PM
Comment:
Dear Michael,
I'm sorry but I think going to NO would've been a miscalculation on the part of Obama. Going there would've essentially involved him in another debate with Hillary, which he doesn't need or want to do at this time because he is the frontrunner. And, I'm sorry the State of the Black Union is not about accountability and I resent the notion that Tavis, and the rest, necessarily know my Black issues and will take the candidates to task. -
Posted By:
eminka at 02/25/2008 7:14:53 PM
Comment:
I think this article misses the point of this Smiley vs. Obama issue. Most of the criticism of Smiley does not center on the fact that Smiley wanted Obama to be accountable to the African-American community. Smiley is mostly criticized for failing to realize that the timing of his event is slightly off with respect to the presidential primary campaign (i.e. Obama already won Louisiana), for refusing to accept Michelle Obama as a substitute while her husband battles the Clintons in Ohio and Texas and for either being too egocentric to realize the implication of Obama appearing at the SBU at this time in the campaign.
Obama should be accountable to all Americans including African-Americans. Why is the SBU the only forum where that accountability is measured? Do we as Black people really care that much about the SBU? So how does an appearance at that event qualify a candidate as accountable to The Community?
Those are questions that prompted some of the nasty comments that I have to say were for the most part overly harsh, but partially justified given the history nature of what Barack Obama is attempting to do. -
Posted By:
eminka at 02/25/2008 7:14:43 PM
Comment:
I think this article misses the point of this Smiley vs. Obama issue. Most of the criticism of Smiley does not center on the fact that Smiley wanted Obama to be accountable to the African-American community. Smiley is mostly criticized for failing to realize that the timing of his event is slightly off with respect to the presidential primary campaign (i.e. Obama already won Louisiana), for refusing to accept Michelle Obama as a substitute while her husband battles the Clintons in Ohio and Texas and for either being too egocentric to realize the implication of Obama appearing at the SBU at this time in the campaign.
Obama should be accountable to all Americans including African-Americans. Why is the SBU the only forum where that accountability is measured? Do we as Black people really care that much about the SBU? So how does an appearance at that event qualify a candidate as accountable to The Community?
Those are questions that prompted some of the nasty comments that I have to say were for the most part overly harsh, but partially justified given the history nature of what Barack Obama is attempting to do. -
Posted By:
thrasher at 02/25/2008 6:52:40 PM
Comment:
This is a shallow and empty commentary against Obama. I resent the need to compare Black folks with Latinos and Jews with these groups being more focused and seeking accountibility from Obama according to the good professor. Obama is trying to make history not make sure he is on another tired Tavis agenda for a soundbite. Tavis is quite selfish and he is not a kingmaker.. -
Posted By:
Puddin at 02/25/2008 6:15:09 PM
Comment:
Tavis Smiley need to get over himself. He is ridiculous and petty! -
Posted By:
Tara at 02/25/2008 6:13:18 PM
Comment:
Barack did offer to have his wife to come and Tavis declined the offer. I thought that was a bad idea. It made me question Tavis motives. Michelle is a very particular stand-in, and represents Barack well -
Posted By:
bigkarl933 at 02/25/2008 4:59:46 PM
Comment:
Negro Please...
With all due respect, who in the name of Sweet Optimus Prime is Tavis Smiley that Barack Obama has to show up for his yearly whinefest?
I like Tavis. The man knows his stuff, but to say that Obama not attending the SOBU is a mistake is utterly ridiculous. Honestly, is there ANYTHING Tavis Smiley could ask Barack Obama that the myriad media outlets (especially the Clinton News Network) won't be subjecting him to?
Seeing as we're looking for accountability, I have a question for Tavis:
Since creating the SOBU what, if anything, has been accomplished? Has this annual event brought about any form of legislation that sufficiently addresses the issues of Black people in America?
Maybe what's happening with Tavis right now is less of people misreading his motives and more of them reading things exactly right and telling him to go sit down somewhere. -
Posted By:
elenakay at 02/25/2008 2:14:58 PM
Comment:
I do not agree with Tavis at all. I don't think that Mr. Obama was in the position at the time to attend to that meeting. Mr. Tavis, respresent the old way of doing things Mr. Obama represent the future. African-Americans have no excuse for the plight of their condition. They cannot blame white people no longer, they need to get over the past and look to the future. -
Posted By:
Nspades at 02/25/2008 2:00:50 PM
Comment:
This article presents a naive (at best) argument. The simple truth of the matter is that if Obama were to go, he would be labled "the black" candidate, which might make us all feel good - however it would probably cause his candidacy problems in the primary and almost certaintly derail him in the general election. The only one that would benefit is Hillary or McCain. Kind of makes you think, doesn't it? -
Posted By:
PHX at 02/25/2008 1:40:57 PM
Comment:
Obama owes Tavis and the STBU nothing. Period. -
Posted By:
Chocolate01 at 02/25/2008 1:26:46 PM
Comment:
I just don't belive this OBAMAHATE. Something is seriously wrong with our people!!! -
Posted By:
jstrick at 02/25/2008 1:11:14 PM
Comment:
thanks for this article. One of the few sane articles that I've read regarding Tavis and Obama. I simply don't understand why folks are turning on him when he has not changed his standards. He was doing this before and everyone agreed that he should hold politicians accountable for their appearances there or lack of appearances but now all has changed and his a somehow a "traitor". -
Posted By:
lawchic at 02/25/2008 12:53:07 PM
Comment:
I appreciate your article, but I have to disagree with your comments about Black voters. I do think Barack and Hillary should be accountable to ALL voters, but I feel that people expect Barack to be Black America's president instead of the President of the United States. Many of the issues that affect the Black community such as education, poverty, predatory lending, etc. are having the same affect on other groups of people and Barack, and Hillary for that matter, have been addressing these issues consistently on the campaign trail. Just because he doesn't attend a forum that highlights these issues in the Black community does not mean that he cares about the issues or the voters any less. And while you may think that vigorously campaigning in TX or OH are weak excuses for skipping the event I have to disagree. I don't expect the candidates to be in all places at one time and I think it is understandable that they have set schedules in place for different campaign events. Also, I noticed that you didn't mention the fact that Tavis declined Barack's invitation to have Michelle appear in his place. What are your thoughts on that? I belive Michelle has demonstrated that she is more than capable when speaking about her husband's positions, so why not have on at this event? -
Posted By:
bgreene11 at 02/25/2008 12:40:08 PM
Comment:
I do not think that Black America has to hold Sen. Obama accountable and I think this ploy is simply non-sense. Sen. Obama is not running for President of the Negro People of America, he is running for the President of the United States. Tavis Smiley is not the Pope of the Godfather...there is no ring to kiss!!! Sen. Obama does not have to prove his blackness, we need to get off of that road to nowhere.
I have watched the past couple of the State of Black America by Mr. Smiley and have been honestly not impressed. Tell me if a real movement has come from the this event other than the Covenant with America that only moved Tavis from his apartment into a brand new house....give me a break.
We need to get out of this "Messiah" mentality...always looking for someone to solve our problems and speak for us. We are intelligent thinking people and we can assess Sen. Obama as a candidate without him appearing on a program that has minimal impact on its target audience. -
Posted By:
liwalo na liwe at 02/25/2008 12:12:32 PM
Comment:
This is a joke, right? -
Posted By:
Moxie_Nouveaux at 02/25/2008 12:03:56 PM
Comment:
Finally, someone gets it and said it! Thanks, Mr. Fauntroy. -
Posted By:
streightdope at 02/25/2008 11:13:12 AM
Comment:
Please........... I find it funny that along with your pro-Tavis blog, you have a picture of Tavis holding hands with hillary Clinton.......Look, fact of the matter is Tavis Smiley acts like a spoiled child when he doesn't get his way...........This isn't about us questioning Obama, we know where he stands, we will hold him accountable once he wins......And that is the key point....HE NEEDS TO CONCENTRATE ON WINNING..........Do you really believe that if Hillary Clinton had not been ahead in Texas and Ohio, she would have been at the STOBU instead of campaigning???? She was there because she knows she can't win without black votes and felt she had to reconcile her husbands tactics in this campaign toward blacks..........And of course Kinsmankid, do you REALLY think he could win if all he did was cater to black folk???? Get real, before you go defending Tavis Smiley and his childish arrogance, and this incredibly moronic blog, understand that Barak Obama need ALL people votes to win, not just black folk............As Dyson said, he's winking at black folks, hollering at whites and -
Posted By:
streightdope at 02/25/2008 11:10:23 AM
Comment:
Please........... I find it funny that along with your pro-Tavis blog, you have a picture of Tavis holding hands with hillary Clinton.......Look, fact of the matter is Tavis Smiley acts like a spoiled child when he doesn't get his way...........This isn't about us questioning Obama, we know where he stands, we will hold him accountable once he wins......And that is the key point....HE NEEDS TO CONCENTRATE ON WINNING..........Do you really believe that if Hillary Clinton had not been ahead in Texas and Ohio, she would have been at the STOBU instead of campaigning???? She was there because she knows she can't win without black votes and felt she had to reconcile her husbands tactics in this campaign toward blacks..........And of course Kinsmankid, do you REALLY think he could win if all he did was cater to black folk???? Get real, before you go defending Tavis Smiley and his childish arrogance, and this incredibly moronic blog, understand that Barak Obama need ALL people votes to win, not just black folk............As Dyson said, he's winking at black folks, hollering at whites and bringing us all together......He has to WIN first, then we can hold him accountable to the race that he is a member of....................... -
Posted By:
Kinsmankid at 02/25/2008 10:41:45 AM
Comment:
Thank you. Tavis got a lot of unfair flak from Blacks regarding his stand on this matter. I'm an Obama supporter, but I think he was wrong for not attending the State of Black America Conference. I don't buy the excuse that he couldn't attend because of his campaign schedule. I think that his handlers don't want him to identify too closely to blacks, out of fear he will scare away white voters. As your editorial pointed out, African-Americans have just as much right to question Obama about our issues as other groups do regarding their concerns.
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