Tavis Smiley and Obama’s Accountability [VIDEO]

Tammy Johnson

Tavis Smiley and Obama’s Accountability [VIDEO]

Today I’m giving kudos to journalist and author Tavis Smiley, who is not another spin doctor delivering talking points from a press release. Smiley, through his books and his annual State of the Black Union Summit, is clearly on a mission to refocus the public debate on race to one that holds government accountable for its policies, and that gives agency to communities of color.

For example, while on Democracy Now, Smiley takes on the ideology of a post-racial America. He says, “I don’t want us to hasten to believing that, just because we have an African American President in this multicultural, multiracial, multiethnic America, that there isn’t work to be done on behalf of those who are disenfranchised politically, socially, economically and culturally -- persons, most often, of color.”

Smiley shifts the focus from the intentions of President Obama to the potential outcomes of his policy proposals. He notes the shortcoming of the President’s economic team and what that could mean, not for Wall Street or Main Street, but for those who live on what he calls the “Side Streets” of the county: people of color and the poor. He also boldly challenges the administration’s refusal to attend the UN Conference Against Racism.

And finally, Smiley rightly points out that it is up to every one of use to do our part in holding government accountable.

Good job, Mr. Smiley!

Posted at 10:45 AM, Mar 05, 2009 in Video & Multimedia | Permalink | View Comments

Comments

Tavis offers nothing. He organizes no one. He makes points that are obvious. He also does not understand economics. We do keep our President accountable, it is called an election. Smiley is still made because Obama did not help him make money by showing up at this event. He got even more mad when listeners to the Tom Joyner show urged Joyner to fire him for continually going after Obama. Sounds like Tavis got held accountable. He is not saying anything that the average black person does not understand but has a more sophisticated analysis of the political landscape than Tavis does. But of course that can't be the case because otherwise we would not need self or media appointed leaders like Tavis.

Juan Williams gives me 101 reasons to dislike him on a regular basis. And to tell the truth, I'm not fan of Tavis either. But the harsh reality is that both of these brothers, for reasons beyond our control, are able to capture the national spot light and influence public discourse. So when they do get something right (like saying that we should hold our President accountable, no matter what race he his, especially when it comes to structural racism,) I give him some props. I'm not going to run out and start a "I love Tavis" campaign around it. But I will use the opportunity to push the point that race matters in the America.

And Mark, what has Obama done for the Black Community in terms of policy when he was a state Senator before he ran for national office. (POTUS and Senate seat) I know black people from his district who said he did nothing but the status quo and give lip service to those people he served. Tavis Smiley has put his money and rhetoric on the line and built his studio in South Central and his State of the Black Union series, like any other self- promoter he can be tiring but I know Smiley bleeds RED, BLACK AND GREEN. Politics is about giving your supporters the benefit of that patronage and Obama has done everything to keep Blacks at arms length using Michelle as a prop instead of offering any policies of substance.

Sorry Mark but I ain't buying the milk that POTUS is selling and power conceedes nothing without a demand. African- Americans need to stop treating POTUS AND FLOTUS like our "Homeboy" and "Homegirl" give up the hero worship and demand policies that will benefit the African- American community and make him accountable. Smiley and those who are critical are doing what MLK, Malcolm, Fannie Lou and other Black Freedom fighters would have done.