What’s been going on with me lately? Have I entered Bizarro World or what? First, I praise Brother Slickback, a man I’m almost always critical of. Now I’m about to bash my man Tavis who I’ve been behind for years. I feel like John Lewis. Am I turning into a flip-flopper?
Nah… It’s all in the spirit of giving respect when respect is due and calling whackness for what it is irrespective of the individual and my overall sentiments towards them. And this time I have to call a foul on Tavis.
He’s all worked up over the upcoming State of the Black Union meeting. If you haven’t heard of this, it’s an annual gathering of intellectual black folk, hosted by Tavis, with discussion around where black folks stand, where we should be going and how we should get there. Well Tavis is hot under the collar that Barack is turning down his invitation to attend the meeting later this month. Barack offered to send Michelle to represent him, but Tavis shot that offer down.
Questions for Tavis: If trying to win an extremely close race for the Democratic candidacy for president of the United States is not a good enough excuse for turning down this invitation, what is? Must the man be on his death bed? And why get all sour and reject Michelle? Is there anyone better to represent him?
Since he’s a journalist and activist, I get that Tavis feels it is his job to pressure folks to respond to his mission and agenda. But to make noise about it under these circumstances? First of all, it’s not like he is hosting a presidential debate like he did when the Republicans didn’t show. He deserved to beef about that–not this.
Second, Barack is a black man (biracial, to be truly accurate) who has a history of addressing black issues, and has proven to be the most thoughtful candidate for addressing black issues in the future. Isn’t it more in the interest of Tavis’ mission to support Barack in winning the presidency than to pressure him to attend a meeting? Let Barack stay on his grind for goodness sake and holla at him on the other side of the candidacy.
Yeah, it’s been quite a Bizarro week for me, all right. But I’m sure some time soon, Big Al will be hollering about some white guy calling some black guy a bad name. And soon, Tavis will get back to focusing on the quality interviews I’ve come to love him for.
Yeah, all will be right with the world again soon enough.
5 responses so far ↓
1
SL
// Feb 18, 2008 at 1:19 pm
The fact that he would send Michelle to represent him attests to his commitment to dealing with issues that directly affect the black community.
I am also disappointed that Tavis would push this issue and would have loved to hear what she has to say. I’ve heard her on many occasions and I’ve been very impressed with her knowledge and the ways she carries herself. Obama couldn’t have a better representative and advocate.
2
Mike
// Feb 18, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Yeah, as I see it Tavis did himself, the State of the Black Union, and his viewers a disservice by not accepting Michelle’s offer. He dropped the ball big time.
3
CG
// Feb 19, 2008 at 10:42 am
I thought that my husband and I were the only ones wondering what was up with Tavis. He really baffles me. What are his issues with Barak Obama? Hello!! This man is running for the President of the United States. I don’t know why Tavis is so proud that Hillary accepted his invitation. Hillary cannot afford NOT to go to the State of the Black Union event. She specializes in pandering to Black Americans. For example, she demonstrated her hypocrisy during the week of the California Primary. She made a great effort to convince Americans that if elected as President, she would make decisions independently and not be significantly influenced by Bill Clinton. However, on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Tom asked her how having Bill Clinton as her husband would be good for Black America. She responded by giving him several examples of Bill Clinton’s potential influence on her Presidency and stated that that would be GREAT for Black America. How can she get away with saying two different things in the same week? And Tom didn’t check her on that. Back to Tavis, I agree that he is doing himself and the viewers of the State of the Black Union a disservice by rejecting Michelle Obama’s offer. Would he have rejected the same offer from Bill Clinton???? Another big sigh!!! One thing about this Presidential race is that it is really bringing a lot of interesting things to the forefront. We are learning more about where people stand and to what causes they offer allegiance. Often it is there own cause and not the greater cause of the people.
4
Mike
// Feb 20, 2008 at 11:05 am
I think part of the problem is that Tavis is experiencing a bit of role confusion. Does he stay true to his role as a journalist and press Obama until he responds, or does he stay true to his activist role and allow Obama to pursue efforts that would ultimately benefit black folk? Unfortunately, Tavis chose the latter as a priority. Disappointing.
5
Vee
// Feb 26, 2008 at 11:03 am
Just in case, you might want to check this out.
Tavis offers Clarity and Closure to Obama Controversy:
http://mokellyreport.blogspot.com/2008/02/tavis-smiley-offers-written-transcript.html
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