What's Up With Tavis Smiley ??? Written by Jara Dan-Fodio

Hi everyone.  I usually just read the messages without replying, but I feel I must respond to a few things.

First, I agree with those that remind us that Barack is only one man. He's not selling a book or a movie. He's not on a publicity tour. He's running for the president of the U.S.  We're so used to seeing people pander to us when they are soliciting something from us (money, a vote, etc.) that we expect them to show up to any and everything that pertains to blacks. Do we truly believe that McCain cares about MLK's death anniversary? This is the same man who is a senator of Arizona - the LAST state to honor MLK's bday as a holiday, even when it's a federal law. Arizona, the state where black men were still being lynched in the 80's and 90's (and maybe even today).  Do we really believe that Hillary cares about MLK when just last January (before she thought she had to worry about Barack as an opponent, mind you) she diminished MLK's contribution to the civil rights movement by saying nothing would've been done without LBJ's signature. Wtf?  No politician has ever done something without pressure from a grassroots movement (this is how the concept of lobbyists was formed), so we know that what she said is FALSE, FALSE, FALSE. We've all seen video of her "wonderful" husband *sleeping* at MLK, jr's speech <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4zgXVdSG_k> for his dad's bday. Yes, that just screams respect and honor. Give me a break.

Second, Tavis is still salty because of not being able to force Barack to show up to his State of the Black Union.  Again, Barack has to *campaign* for a presidential election that he has a very nice chance of winning. I'm guessing that since Tavis has never ran for president, he doesn't understand what that all entails. I'm also guessing that since he ran and lost an election of his own, he doesn't know what running a *successful* campaign entails, either. In my opinion, he's acting like a crab in a barrel and taking this way too personally. It's not Barack's job to cater to Tavis' every demand. From other interviews that I've seen Tavis give, he wants Barack to bend over backwards for his vote/support. Tavis, you are no more special than any other black person. Unlike the rest of us, you've actually had the opportunity to sit down with Barack for at least an hour last October and ask him all of the questions your mind can come up with. It's not Barack's fault that you thought of some more questions after the interview was over. lol

Here's a video of Tavis responding to a question about Barack from an online viewer of Real Time with

Bill Maher (skip ahead to 3mins 57 seconds) :

Tavis shows his true colors here. He portrays Barack not showing up to the BSotU as a "mistake".  After an entire hour of getting audience and panel support, Tavis turned his fellow panelists off when he basically admitted that he's interviewed Barack "thousands of times", yet he's still bitter that Barack didn't come to the BSotU. Bill had to jump in the middle of Tavis' rant to say that Barack turned down Bill's invitation to appear on Real Time because of scheduling conflicts, so it's not like he's just turning down invitations to black events. He can't be everywhere, Tavis. What part of that don't you understand?  Hillary already has name recognition, so Barack has to campaign harder and stronger to get his name out there - especially in Ohio where Hillary has greased many a palm.  So he's supposed to neglect campaigning in OH where these people still don't know him to come to a symposium to win black votes that he's already worked hard for? That is dumb strategy right there. And I'm so glad that Barack didn't succumb to this ploy to help Hillary ambush him.  I love how Tavis didn't mention that Hillary and Bill declined his invitation over the past EIGHT YEARS. The only reason why Hillary came this year is because she's broke and needs all of the free publicity she can get. Wake up, Tavis. You're looking mighty petty.

Third, about Memphis: Barack called the Kings personally and expressed his condolences and thoughts on MLK.  I wasn't able to go to Memphis. Does that mean I don't care about MLK?  Come on, people. Let's think about this. As I mentioned earlier, McCain and Hillary brought themselves to Memphis with their insincere, stilted speeches (McCain was speaking from the heart by reading from a piece of paper?).  The Memphis crowd wasn't buying it and neither should we. By comparison, not showing up seems more heartfelt to me. Barack didn't take the opportunity to exploit the situation for his political gain like a certain two white career politicians chose to do.

Fourth, if we want to know where Barack stands on issues, let's read (or listen to) his books - "Dreams From My Father" and "Audacity of Hope".  He puts it all out there.

That's my 2 cents.

- Jara Dan-Fodio

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