The truth is most of America does quite know how to “act” with a “black” sitting president. The entire executive branch of government has been virtually gridlocked since his election; yet still, the administration has still achieved some incredible milestones. For a while, it seemed every couple of months two or three appointments were resigning from his administration.

No national spokespersons for (if I may) Black America have so fervently and adamantly as Smiley and West (and West to lesser degree) attacked Obama. They have even come to share a time-slot on the airwaves of public radio. While it is necessary to critically engage the actors of the politico-sphere there is a peculiar order and unspoken-reserved-poise that it seems most of Black America has assumed with the first black President of America. No one can really know what sort of dilemmas with which Obama has been in contention aside from his wife, Michelle. And even she, may be kept “in the dark” about some things.

One could argue that Smiley is “just doing his job.” I would find no qualm with this but that as time passes it seems that his attacks are personally rooted. It is widely known that both Smiley and West were taken-aback for not being invited to a private White House function. Smiley, who has posited himself as a voice of Black America (and perhaps rightly so, as for some time he was one of the only African-American left-leaning pundit in broadcast), may have so truncated himself from the President Obama-phenomena that it may likely become difficult for him to regain his former posture with Black America. I for one, have become more circumspect of his method… though not necessarily his means. I realize that Smiley has assumed an agenda for “the people” but I feel some of his remarks should be “kept in the house… among us-folk.”

I understand your point and I think panel discussions and roundtables in general can be helpful and have their place. They are by no means a strategy though and tend to be unbalanced in terms of generation, gender, ethnicity. Smiley’s panels are very much geared towards entertainment as well and for me the sponsorship is of concern.

“We have to embrace the greatness and powerful intellect of a Tavis Smiley and Dr. West.”
Hey, I am a Cornell West supporter! I don’t think Smiley is in West’s realm, but to be fair Tavis is usually a moderator or interviewer and we may not get to hear his words as much.

“Please people let’s learn to support each other and not public critize anothers efforts because we do not agree with the methodology.”
There is so much to be gained in being critical or at least critical thinking. I don’t think it’s wrong to point out that these panels are slanted in favor of academics, older ethnically African American men, professional speakers etc.

As a woman under 30 who is Black but not ethnically African American how could I not notice that women, Caribbean, Latino and African Black people among others and very few members of the Hip Hop generation are under represented.

Mike Washington I appreciate your comments, the time your took to state your opinion and the work you do in the community. It seems I will be addressing this further in the future.

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It spawned a powerful image upon black people and ignited other young educators like myself to watch these discussions and then come back to have our own roundtables, from college professors, school and college administrators to school teachers. The state of the black union inspired and ignited several groups to form mentoring groups for young black males and females. We have witnessed many to go on to college, become professors, encouraged me to go back to complete my masters and now working on my doctorate.

And I am grateful for Tavis Smiley efforts and those he collaborated with like Tom Joyner! I hate the fact of when we have to tear each other down and especially in public just because we do not agree with one anothers methods and methodology of how to solve problems in our communities.

Of course, I do not agree with the high prices of some of the black intellectuals to come speak and inspire, nor did I agree with Mr. Smileys criticism of Barack. And I immediately emailed him and to voice my opinion and concern. But, I will not neglect that Mr. Smiley has been powerful in my development as a young educator having taught in impoverished public school and now work on a college campus that have several young african americans that come from low socio-economic communities. We have to embrace the greatness and powerful intellect of a Tavis Smiley and Dr. West. These brothers along with so many others make a difference in our communities every day. There is not magic wand that we can wave to make brothers stop shooting and killing each other.

But, as the Covenant of Black America so eloquently put, we can make ourselves a Committee of One and form and integrate our efforts with others so Each One can REach One and then our living Will Not be in Vain!!!! Please people let’s learn to support each other and not public critize anothers efforts because we do not agree with the methodology.

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