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Post by kingdelta on Feb 15, 2008 12:22:22 GMT -5
Barack took off V-Day to spend with his wife instead of campaining. Watch Tavis say he should have used that day to campaign and come to his conference.
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Post by Bunny Hop on Feb 15, 2008 14:53:52 GMT -5
Here's who needs to show up for the Black State of the Union...
...the President of the Black United States. When someone finds out who he or she is... invite them to show up. In the meantime Obama should continue campaigning.
The End. That would be Bill Clinton seeing as how he was the first Black President and all....  |
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Post by Worthy Most Ancient Matron on Feb 15, 2008 18:37:31 GMT -5
Barack took off V-Day to spend with his wife instead of campaining. Watch Tavis say he should have used that day to campaign and come to his conference. And that's why I love me some Obama! He knows what's important! |
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Post by MochaD on Feb 16, 2008 23:34:56 GMT -5
Barack took off V-Day to spend with his wife instead of campaining. Watch Tavis say he should have used that day to campaign and come to his conference. And that's why I love me some Obama! He knows what's important! AMEN! AMEN!! and AMEN again!!! |
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Post by Prissy New Year!!! on Feb 20, 2008 14:31:04 GMT -5
I just got a copy of this blog in my email.
Who Died and Made Tavis King? <http://melissaharrislacewell.com/Blog/?p=33>
February 15th, 2008 Posted in Uncategorized <http://melissaharrislacewell.com/Blog/?cat=1>
Who Died and Made Tavis King?This is my piece from TheRoot.com today
By Melissa Harris-Lacewell | TheRoot.com
Does Tavis realize that Obama is trying to win an election?
Who put Tavis Smiley in charge?Over the past two months African Americans have emerged as equal partners in a multi-racial, intergenerational, bipartisan, national coalition led by the most exciting political candidate of the past four decades, who also happens to be the first viable African-American presidential possibility in our history. So why is Tavis Smiley throwing a temper tantrum?
He is mad because Obama has not promised to attend Smiley’s “State of the Black Union” next week in New Orleans. At last year’s SOTBU Al Sharpton, Cornel West and others joined Tavis is roundly criticizing Obama for not attending. Where was Barack that weekend? Oh yeah, he was announcing his bid for the US presidency. This year, Obama is busy trying to win Texas, which has emerged as the firewall sate for the Hillary Clinton campaign. Obama wins Texas; Hillary goes home. But Tavis and company think Obama should spend precious hours chatting with them about their agenda?
Let me be clear. I respect the importance of the SOTBU. Tavis performs an essential public service by creating and reproducing a critical black counter-public through this event. The event is decidedly democratic because it is open to a true variety of black voices. Every year it showcases black intellect, commitment and ideological diversity. All this is great, but it doesn’t make Tavis the gatekeeper. It certainly doesn’t give him the right to act as King-Maker or in this case Queen-Maker.
Tavis and his guests have every right to criticize Obama if they have substantive disagreements with his policy, his approach to politics or his viability as a general election candidate. They do not have a right to create a false, racial litmus test. All these black leaders who spent the year telling us that Obama is not old enough, not black enough and not angry enough to earn African American votes must have noticed that Obama can deliver the black vote to himself, by himself, with little help from these self-proclaimed racial power brokers.
I can’t quite figure out what motivates Tavis. At least I understand the old guard Civil Rights leaders. They are genuinely unwilling to cede power, believing that they have an authenticity claim based on their proximity to Martin Luther King, Jr. I also understand the frightened Democratic insiders who rely on the remnants of the Clinton machine for their bread and butter. But Tavis is not in either category. He is a part of a new generation of journalists who have carved out their own constituency. I am actually surprised to see Smiley join a pile-on led by his former boss Bob Johnson who tried to silence Tavis with such an ungracious termination a decade ago.
Maybe Tavis legitimately worries that the policy issues of black America will be lost in the excitement of the multiracial coalition. That is fair. But I wonder why Tavis does not trust us to vote in our own interests. Obama won the votes of the people of Louisiana last week. He stood at Katrina’s ground-zero while Hillary blew off the state, assuming she couldn’t win it. Now Tavis wants to act as a racial super-delegate by claiming he knows what the people need better than the voters.
Maybe Tavis is just jealous. Maybe it isn’t deep at all, just a replay of the old adage about crabs in a barrel.I do think that an Obama should attend the State of the Black Union.
I agree with CNN’s Roland Martin (which is rare) that Michelle should go. She should listen to concerns, answer questions from the audience and take seriously the substantive concerns raised there. Barack should be in Texas. I don’t think anybody in the room will claim that Michelle is not a good enough surrogate for Barack. If Hillary can claim Bill’s presidency as her experience, I am pretty sure Michelle can talk to Tavis on the campaign’s behalf.
I usually watch this event every year. It is fun, enlightening and inspiring. This year I will have to TiVo it. Why? Because I will be phoning Texas voters to remind them to head out to the polls on March 4.
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 20, 2008 14:52:40 GMT -5
A well thought out essay by whomever it was written.
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Post by akbarjones on Feb 20, 2008 16:01:36 GMT -5
Tavis lost some respect from me on making a big deal out of nothing.
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 20, 2008 16:13:28 GMT -5
I've said earlier that I want to give Tavis a pass this time because he has been at the forefront of keeping black issues in our collective conscience. Lord only knows he was the one redeeming grace about a network that was a non-stop festival of coonery. But his stance makes NO sense on this point. Tavis is not making a point. Any fair and reasonable person would concede that Obama MUST be on the campaign trail - to criticize him for properly prioritizing his obligations seems silly. The BSTOTU is a parlor show - not real politics.
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Post by Cambist on Feb 20, 2008 16:41:17 GMT -5
Last year, Dr. West, Tavis, Sharpton, and several others were citicizing Obama for not making his announcement AT the BSOTU.
They thought he was shunning black folks by not making the announcement their. Truth is, had he made the announcement at the BSOTU, we wouldn't be having this conversation because he would have been IMMEDIATELY labled a "black candidate".
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Post by Nupey on Feb 20, 2008 16:44:22 GMT -5
My take is, they are jealous becaue he actually has the opportunity to make a real difference. Nobody is even thinking about them, EVERYBODY is cheering for Obama. They no longer are needed in the Black community.
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 20, 2008 16:54:33 GMT -5
I'm still laughing at all the pundits saying how Obama needed to be careful about criticizing Clinton because he was very popular among black folks. LOL.
That's what's known as the Eminem Effect. As long as you do you, we respect that. And that's what Clinton did in his 8 years in office and by and large we respected it. But don't take that respect for unquestioned loyalty... you step out of your box and start assuming authority you don't have and we'll let you know what's up. Clinton and the pundits fell victim to the Eminem Effect.
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Post by Vudu_Prince on Feb 20, 2008 21:51:38 GMT -5
fuck Tavis! I say bring the State of the Black Union to the Great Blacks in Wax museum on North Ave in East Bmore. These uppity negroe's in 5 star Hoetels( yeah I said it) and white advertising dollars got some dayum nerve. First Bob Johnson, now Tavis... Do the Kappa's have something against Obama? Seriously what it do? lol
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Post by Worthy Most Ancient Matron on Feb 20, 2008 22:24:15 GMT -5
VP You my man (except for the remark about the Kappas), but the rest, I totally agree!
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Post by Noble Work on Feb 21, 2008 10:41:58 GMT -5
Tavis was on 1380 (Atlanta) this morning, I tuned in about midway through the interview but caught the real Question/topic..The Sen. Obama letter thing. I'ono about ya'll but to me it sounded like Tavis tried to squirm his way out of this one. First thang came out of his mouth was me and Obama are personal friends and been friends for a long time, "We been friends longer than most knew how to say his name right". He first started off saying the this whole thing is a lie. He said that the internet is a wonderful thang and that he loves using it himself and too bad it is not hooked up to a lie detector? (my mouth flew open) It sound like to me (JUST to me) that he stated and restated everything in the letter that actually prove the letter RIGHT and TRUE. I'm like Tavis the statements you are making NOW are actually what the letter said you said. (Wonders if Tavis even read Sen. Obama's letter). He then when on to say that nobody ever mention to him about Michele coming instead of Obama, but went on to say if he knew that was the case he would of declined her anyway...He always talk to the candidate.
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Post by Cambist on Feb 21, 2008 11:19:40 GMT -5
He's coonin.
I heard this morning that they were releasing the third book in the "Covenent with Black America" trilogy (he says that it was always going to be a trilogy)
Tavis should have just said that he thought it was important for Obama to be there and insisted that he come. Then when he declined, reiterate that he would like for him to be there and that he is disappointed with him not showing BUT HE UNDERSTANDS...and move on.
No shame in demanding time of a presidental candidate. You just can't act like you hold 1,000 delegates and say that they MUST show up.
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Post by Oren Ishii on Feb 21, 2008 13:50:59 GMT -5
DSD, you just said what I was thinking! Kudos!!! Anyway, I think T. Smiley is a snake oil salesman; I always have. The only thing he's doing for "Black empowerment" (IMO) is building a media empire off the philosophy. Maybe I've missed a few photo opps of his in the past few years, but someone PLEASE point out to me the last time he & his SOBU cohorts have done anything tangible that truly impacted the lives of Black people. All I've ever seen him do is sit on a stage, criticize, & tell people what "Black people need to do"; I can't say I've personally witnessed him creating any social reform programs, offering small business grants to viable Black candidates, creating entrepreneurship workshops to offer to K-12 children in the "inner city." WORK talks & Bullshyt walks. I smell a whole lot of it come the end of Feb. every year, is all I'm saying... Yeah, I said it. ~TPK I plan on cutting Tavis some slack, as soon as I fire off this e-mail to him and Tom Joyner. I mean really...I think Cam and Lady L are all in my head. What has Tavis really done in 10 years for the 'black' community? Hell I've been married longer than 10 years. I got shoes 10 years old, hell my kids are older than 10 years old. Does he really think that all of his so-called black empowerment books, tapes, CDs, DVDs and that circus he calls the State of the Black Union is suppose to make him be the Head N***** in Charge and speak for all black people? He doesn't speak for me, never has and never will. |
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konfucius1911
OOA pledge
"Failure (in itself) is NOT a sin, but LOW AIM most definitely is."
Posts: 204
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Post by konfucius1911 on Feb 21, 2008 14:38:40 GMT -5
First Bob Johnson, now Tavis... Do the Kappa's have something against Obama? Seriously what it do? lol WHOA !! Do NOT confuse the asinine opinions of two men [who happen to be members of KAPPA ALPHA PSI] with that of the entire Fraternity. Personally, I think both SMILEY & JOHNSON are full-of-$h1t; and I can competently say that MANY other Nupes agree with me |
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konfucius1911
OOA pledge
"Failure (in itself) is NOT a sin, but LOW AIM most definitely is."
Posts: 204
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Post by konfucius1911 on Feb 21, 2008 14:53:04 GMT -5
I think T. Smiley is a snake oil salesman; I always have. OK. Now that's the most COUNTRY thing I've ever heard; but "What the HECK does that mean ?" lol |
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Post by Oren Ishii on Feb 21, 2008 15:13:54 GMT -5
"Snake oil salesman" is not a "country" phrase; it was commonly used to describe traveling salesmen who peddled useless tonics & salves ("healing" ointments or cure-alls) to people who had little access to information about viable medicine. It's since come to mean anyone who sells beople Bullsh-t...worthless products or ideas that have no tangible value. I think T. Smiley is a snake oil salesman; I always have. OK. Now that's the most COUNTRY thing I've ever heard; but "What the HECK does that mean ?" lol |
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konfucius1911
OOA pledge
"Failure (in itself) is NOT a sin, but LOW AIM most definitely is."
Posts: 204
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Post by konfucius1911 on Feb 21, 2008 15:27:29 GMT -5
Oh, thanks for the clarification. ... learn something NEW everyday
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Post by BklynPearl on Feb 25, 2008 16:16:24 GMT -5
Soooo Tavis claims that he and Obama have been long time personal friends, YET he says under the same breath that he would've DECLINED Michelle's offer to appear at the event?? That's some ST8 BULLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.  |
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Post by Southie on Feb 25, 2008 16:22:20 GMT -5
I watched the first half of the State of the Black Union on Saturday and it felt like an anti Obama campaign. Now, I do not care if a person is against Obama, but lets be fair about this.
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Post by BklynPearl on Feb 25, 2008 16:36:41 GMT -5
I caught the second half and Dick Gregory got in Black folks asses for calling Bill Clinton black while accussing Obama of not being "black enough".
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Post by Southie on Feb 25, 2008 17:27:34 GMT -5
I am glad that he did, because I never got the understanding of Bill being the first "black" president.  |
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Post by water on Feb 26, 2008 11:14:27 GMT -5
what is Black could someone define it.........................
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Post by Cambist on Feb 26, 2008 12:01:00 GMT -5
Come on water...you know! You walk down the street or drive in a non-white neighborhood and get pulled over by the cops..you're black.
You don't have to necessarily identify with the Black struggle to be considered and/or treated as a Black person. You merely have to be thrust into the system and be subjected to it's rules, laws and customs.
So, Barack is black. Period. That dude from Africa who claims he's not Black but African....dat nigga black. Your nationality does not matter when it comes to the European system of social casting.
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 26, 2008 12:14:46 GMT -5
Come on water...you know! You walk down the street or drive in a non-white neighborhood and get pulled over by the cops..you're black. You don't have to necessarily identify with the Black struggle to be considered and/or treated as a Black person. You merely have to be thrust into the system and be subjected to it's rules, laws and customs. So, Barack is black. Period. That dude from Africa who claims he's not Black but African....dat nigga black. Your nationality does not matter when it comes to the European system of social casting. |
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Post by Nupey on Feb 26, 2008 12:19:30 GMT -5
Come on water...you know! You walk down the street or drive in a non-white neighborhood and get pulled over by the cops..you're black. You don't have to necessarily identify with the Black struggle to be considered and/or treated as a Black person. You merely have to be thrust into the system and be subjected to it's rules, laws and customs. So, Barack is black. Period. That dude from Africa who claims he's not Black but African....dat nigga black. Your nationality does not matter when it comes to the European system of social casting.
<----Smites Damie for Exalting Cold when Camel typed the above post |
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Post by DamieQue™ on Feb 26, 2008 12:33:26 GMT -5
Exalts Cold for this post^^^^
<----Smites Damie for Exalting Cold when Camel typed the above post |
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Post by Nupey on Feb 26, 2008 12:37:14 GMT -5
Lol...that would be 4 smites...thats not right man...
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