This past Tuesday Tavis Smiley (aka the "Wells Fargo trojan") took to the Tom Joyner Morning Show (which I listen to on-line, because Peoria radio would never carry anything so informative) and made a special shout out to several black leaders who he feels is falling down on the job.
Tavis called for a symposium (because that's what he does best, I bet he already has the sponsors lined up) and listed several speakers who were invited, including the Rev. Al Sharpton, Harvard law professor Charles Ogletree and Valerie Jarrett. Click here to hear Tavis' spit filled rant.
Shortly thereafter Rev. Al Sharpton called in to the TJMS and took issue with Smiley making it clear that Smiley had not talked with him about the event.
Shortly thereafter Rev. Al Sharpton called in to the TJMS and took issue with Smiley making it clear that Smiley had not talked with him about the event.
AND then, because turn around is fair play, in the afternoon, Smiley called in to Sharpton’s radio talk show as he discussed the matter with Ogletree. Check it out below.
Perhaps this is this one of those conversations that should have been had in private? You know how Momma always said "don't but family business in the street".
2 comments:
Great post...that's exactly what I heard. I haven't gone to Tavis' site to check out his transcript but it seems that the problem was over what "balley-who" meant.
Tavis seemed to interpret that as stating that the President didn't need to address a "black agenda" meaning that he needed not address the heartfelt concerns of the black community. now this was difficult because Sharpton had just met with the President concerning jobs primarily for black folk.
Sharpton's approach seems to be to address the issue in a moderate manner as not to paint him inot a corner exposing him to additional criticism. Tavis simply says, "if you're in the shoes do the job, and we should hold you accountable."
Although I tend to agree with Smiley, I understand Sharpton. So what we have is two ways to approach the overall subject at odds through two influential black leaders.
I don't care for Obama's liberalism in social issues and I don't identify with much of what he says regarding social issues, and I, like Tavis, don't see where he should be "ashamed" of openly engaging black leadership in an agenda BUT he is a President of ALL the people and not just black America...
So this is a good one.
Although I despise the man that Tavis Smiley thinks he is - he started a dialogue that needs to happen.
So far I like how Shartpon has responded. IMHO, Sharpton is just a little less obsolete than the NAACP.
Hopefully, this will light a fire under him and other so called "black leaders" who take the monolith for granted.
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