More Black people ego drama,Tavis Smiley is mad at Senator and Democratic candidate Barack Obama for declining his invitation to make an appearance at the Tavis Smiley’s “State of the Black Union 2008″ Conference in New Orleans on February 23th.Smiley even refused that Barack’s wife Michelle Obama represented him.Here’s what Tavis had to say:
“Just as we would have declined had Hillary Clinton offered Bill Clinton, had John McCain offered Cindy McCain, had Mike Huckabee suggested Janet Huckabee.”
Nichelle also gave her view on this controversy,in a new interview.
You can listen to it after the jump.
I believe it is unconscionable for Tavis Smiley to attack Barack Obama because he cannot spare the time to make it to his event. Clearly, Obama is in the make or break moment of his potential presidency. If he does not win Texas and Ohio it could mean that Clinton could take the election through Super Delegates. I am an activist and an African American. I am sorely disappointed in Tavis Smiley’s callous self promotion at the expense of this historic run. Is Mr. Smiley really that short sighted? Do the efforts, hopes and votes of millions of Americans including Black Americans really mean so little to Mr. Smiley? If Obama’s campaign got negative coverage at this crucial moment I would have expected it to come from Republicans. Instead I have to see it come from Tavis Smiley. Shame on him. If we lose Texas or Ohio it may be due in some part to Mr. Smiley.
kiki
This was a comment that I tried to leave on Tavis’ message board, but got an email saying that it was “full”…must be all of the people like me compelled to respond to his unfortunate choice of timing.
Tavis-
I read that you “openly” criticized Barack Obama for declining an invitation to the State of the Black Union Forum in New Orleans. I am disappointed that at such a crucial time in Barack’s campaign you would choose to make public statements against him.
As a black woman, I am very excited about this moment in history and I believe that your statements regarding his decision are very short-sighted. Is it not more important that Barack do as much as he can to ensure that he wins this nomination by spending every minute possible in the remaining states? Not that the Forum is not important, but the timing is bad. If Barack wins, he will most likely be our next president and there is no doubt that future generations of black people will be positively influenced- much more so than any single Black Forum can do.
Yes, Hillary Clinton accepted the invitation, but she recognizes that she still needs to prove to America that she cares about the issues of the common “folk”- Barack has already made his case. She can’t win the white males, but she knows that she can win the black vote if there is an appearance that Barack doesn’t care by attending in his absence. The Clintons are ruthless politicians and they know this. Anyone with a brain larger than a pea knows the reason she’s attending.
Tavis, really, please see beyond the immediate. I’m sure that Barack will attend future Forums and draw even more attention to your cause as the President of the United States.
Regards,
Autumn
Chicago
I am so very disappointed in the so-called mouthpiece of the black community, Mr. Tavis Smiley. I can’t believe this so-called black power, “we need to help each other” “black man” had the nerve to get in front of the national and international media and hate on Senator Obama for not being able to attend the State of the Black Union meeting. Earth to Tavis, the MAN IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AND IS THE FIRST BLACK MAN IN U.S. HISTORY TO HAVE AN ACTUAL SHOT AT MAKING IT. He’s a little busy. We got Hillary and Bill throwing every kind of insult they can muster against this man’s character, and what we don’t need is one of our own adding fuel to the fire. Michelle Obama offered to attend, and she was denied by Tavis. How insulting and ignorant. Get over yourself. With all of Tavis’ education, all the speeches he’s done, all the events he’s moderated, all the t.v. shows, he still is acting like its 1850. Get out the slave mindset Tavis. You see one of our best trying to succeed and you want to bring him down and tell “Massa” that one of us is trying to lead everyone to freedom. I will never watch your show again, never attend another one of your high priced events, or read one of your wack books. You’re an insult to the black race and the human race. My grandmother always told me, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” you could really benefit from that type of home training. go back to your roots and home training, and go sit down somewhere. Massa gave you a t.v. show and some book deals, and you forgot about the real struggle. There’s nothing more I want to say on this subject as i’m completely disgusted.
All,
People you really need to wake up. I am a black woman that lives in the deep south, Alabama to be exact. Barack Obama is an intelligent man, an intelligent speaker and an intelligent candidate for president. However you really need to look at the facts as to why the man doesn’t salute the flag to the Pledge of Alligence, why the man praises the republican party and why the man isn’t talking on plans for the black community if he should take office. There are more facts and issues at hands rather than “he’s black let’s vote for him”. As I stated earlier, I am a black woman who is also a Veteran of the Armed Forces. I am like you tired of the “war”, tired of gas prices, tired of groceries prices, tired of being treated like a second class citizen because i’m black and tired of other things. The list goes on. Get the facts, get the issues, listens to the debates and read the news just because he’s black it doesn’t make him right.
In my opinion Mr. Obama should have ran independent because he is on the borderline of having a republican candidacy. People please be aware of the facts. I commend Mr. Tavis Smiley for ascking questions because we as Americans need the facts presented. 4 years ago Mr. Obama took office and what exactly has he accomplished in those four years? I welcome any feedback and please feel free to email me so that I may be informed. Thanks
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