NPR Radio and PBS television talk show host Tavis Smiley
Hey, America! I’m going to come right out and say it. There are way too many Black people trying to kick Tavis Smiley in the ass, and The G-Man isn’t having it! Fools continue to attack one of the most celebrated Black media figures in history because he has publicly stated that Americans, especially in the Black community, should not give Barack Obama a free pass simply because he is President of the United States. If anything, President Obama should be held to an even higher standard. I couldn’t agree with Smiley more, and if people want to label me an Obama-hater for saying that, then so be it. I certainly am not.
Smiley came under attack after he dared to question Senator Obama about his economic, political and social agenda for both Americas during the early stages of his presidential campaign. I suspect he was chastised because a significant number of Blacks felt Obama was “untouchable”, which was a bunch of bullshit. Things took a turn for the worst when the presidential candidate was scheduled to attend Smiley’s “State of the Black Union” forum and suddenly declined. Smiley hosted the annual forum several times before issuing the invitation.
Camp Obama cited scheduling conflicts as the reason the senator could not be present. I believe the appearance was postponed because Obama’s advisors told him that attending an event focusing on Black issues would alienate and worry white voters, which he desperately needed heading into the major primary states. Needless to say, Smiley was not happy about Senator Obama’s decision. Smiley questioned the timing and motive, and he pretty much implied that the act was politics as usual. Again, I agree.
Recently, the Reverend Al Sharpton got into a heated exchanged with Smiley after Smiley called out Black leaders on the “Tom Joyner Morning Show”. The PBS talk show host claimed that the leaders were giving the president a free pass when it came to addressing and discussing issues vital to the Black community. Sharpton and others made the point that the president was president of all people and not just Blacks. Smiley then stated that he would host and convene a special forum to discuss the matter in greater detail and that many respected leaders from the Black community would be in attendance. When Sharpton pressed Smiley to name some of those attending, the reverend was not satisfied with the choices. Moreover, Sharpton stated, and I’m paraphrasing, that he had no interest in attending an event hosted by someone that could not be objective.
The battle has caused a major divide in the Black community, but I’m very clear on which side stand. I stand with Tavis Smiley! I stand with Smiley because he was doing what he has done his entire career: holding people accountable. Anyone with half a damn brain knows that, so why do people that have supported Smiley for years now treat him like a piece of shit on the bottom of their shoe? I’ll tell you why. It’s because those people are nothing but a bunch of sheep! The just blindly follow without forethought or question because they worship President Obama and regard him as someone that can do no wrong and should not be questioned under any circumstances.
For many, he is the greatest Black man of our time. That may be true, but so is this little tidbit. President Obama is a politician, first and foremost, and at the end of the day politicians cannot be trusted. Period! To the disappointment of millions, he’s already broken a number of his campaign pledges. With the country in a state of economic, political and social turmoil - thanks to corruption, incompetent and inept political leaders and corporate sluts – you’d think the sheep would get it. Unfortunately, some people just get stuck on stupid.
I truly believe this is why Tavis Smiley has pressed President Obama on the issues. You’ve got to hold people accountable, and Smiley has built a phenomenal legacy doing exactly that, especially in Black America. He’s done this while other so-called Black leaders brokered compensation deals with corporations to look the other way on major racial issues. He’s done this while other so-called Black leaders waited for the next racial crisis before jumping onto the national stage. Yeah, I said it! If the shoe fits, give yourself a good whack in the ass with it!
You’ve got to hold people accountable! We haven’t done that over the last 30 years, and now America is going to suffer like hell for it. What amazes me is that people are stupid enough to pledge allegiance to one man, one human being, one politician, and believe that he is capable of saving us from centuries of political corruption or the sins of previous administrations. The only person worthy of humanity’s trust and loyalty is God Almighty! The sheep better stop pissing on “Tavis the Messenger”, wake their goonie-goo-goo asses up, and realize that every one of them can and will be lead to slaughter if they treat any politician as Lord and Savior.
This commentary is from the heart and.........From The G-Man.
Tavis Smiley photo source: blog.syracuse.com/metrovoices/
Author: blog.syracuse.com
Permission: blog.syracuse.com
1 comment:
I can not say that President Obama is the greatest black man ever ~ I see him as Jackie Robinson, forced to play a game by rules he did not invent and did not like.
Breaking the DC color barrier in our highest office, I think, means people that support him need to be taking it easier on him.
Enough KKK types around still trying to get him impeached due to questionable birth certificate...
...such as, comments in local paper, "If he were honest, he would have nothing to hide, he should show his birth certificate."
Du'oh, he did ~ way back during the campaign and no presidential candidate has had to show proof of citizenship.
Yet, they are still crucifying him about it. And if powerful black leaders do not back him up, who else will?
I definitely do not want to see President Palin oust Obama in the re-election, nor any other Republican.
I would not mind if a 3rd party candidate beat him in that coming election, but I am hoping people will re-elect him, simply because despite the critism, he is better than the alternatives.
I do not know much about Tavis; research during the campaign lead me to believe he is all for himself, that is, publicity seeking, not sincere.
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