Hang in There Tavis Smiley, Don't let the Black Obama Thought Police Run You Out

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As late as this past January, black talk show host Tavis Smiley was the darling of black America. Three months later he's the butt of black America. The tip off that Smiley's personal stock has plunged was his abrupt announcement that he was quitting his long standing post as political commentator on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner morning show. The Joyner show is virtually the airwaves Bible for legions of blacks. For more than a decade, Smiley was the show's black political and social issues voice. He was widely considered the go to guy for blacks on cutting edge social and advocacy issues.
So what is Smiley's great sin? He had the temerity to be less than a court cheer leader for candidate Obama. He compounded the sin with the black Obama thought police by having the added temerity to invite and warmly greet and thank Hillary Clinton for speaking at his annual State of the Black Union (formerly State of Black America) forum in February. Then he had the added added temerity to publicly criticize Obama for offering to send his wife Michelle as a fill-in.

That did it. The howls went up that Smiley was A. anti-Obama B. A closet Hillary backer C. an egoistic, self-absorbed, full of himself, bad host and ingrate. One columnist summed up the chorus from the black Obama thought police with this plunge the knife in the back title "Who Died and made Tavis King?" That title and the sentiment behind it would have been nothing short of heresy in January.
But putting the suddenly hate Smiley tide aside for a moment. There are two shames and tragedies here. The first is that if an African-American, and it makes no different whether it's a Smiley, or anyone else, even dares breathe a kind word about Hillary Clinton they will be run out of Dodge on a rail. Heaven forbid if they declare that they will vote for Clinton. No matter how many reasoned arguments they give--her experience, grasp of the issues, programs, and positions, staunch history in support of civil rights, women's rights, and social justice issues and Obama's paper thin if not outright dubious record on all of the aforementioned. Then remind the Obama chorus that the last time they looked the strength of democracy and the first amendment is the right to back a candidate of their choice and not be subjected to a verbal public lynching for making their choice.

The second shame and disgrace is that those blacks that exercise their democratic right to pick the candidate they think will do the best job and not blindly back a candidate based solely because he's black are considered race traitors. This is almost a text book variation on the old Orwellian Animal Farm saga of when the formerly oppressed flip the power table and suddenly become the new masters. They think, act and behave like the bunch that they kicked out of power. They are just as oppressive, stifling and thick headed toward any views and opinions that don't conform to theirs.
Given the history of the racial scorn heaped on them, blacks should be the absolute last ones to impose a racial code of conduct on other blacks. Unfortunately, in their absolute dogmatic, unyielding, Obama mania, they have turned what in any other season would be a healthy give and take reasoned dialogue and even debate on political issues into finger pointing, name calling, bashing, and yes as Smiley unhappily said "hate" toward any black who disagrees that Obama is the second coming of Dr. King.
Here's the challenge to Obama. Smiley has given him countless opportunities on his TV show, website, radio show, a presidential debate, and other public venues that he's hosted to amply express his views. That hardly sounds like an inherent political enemy. Why not issue a statement simply saying that Smiley's a stellar and consistent media and public voice for black causes, and a man worthy of respect and admiration. But most importantly, he has the right to hold and voice his political opinions on the presidential candidates and that even includes principled criticism of candidate Obama.
He has the right to do that without being vilified and verbally assailed. This in no way diminishes his credibility or value to black America. In other words, knock off the "hating" on Smiley (and others). Tavis, let me know when, but more likely if, that statement is ever issued. Meanwhile hang tough, and don't let the black Obama thought police run you out.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book is The Ethnic Presidency: How Race Decides the Race to the White House (Middle Passage Press, February 2008).

Comments

[sjl106]

Earl great post, but also a sad commentary on the state of obamabots, they act as though they are in a closed society that have no rights to freedom and it isn't just comming from the AA community ALL the obamabots have acted in this fashion and it obviously comes from the top down, we all saw how his co-chair Jesse Jackson Jr. went on MSNBC after he lost NH and played the race card and we all know how obama was inspiring the rightwing hate propoganda before that and how his minions were out all over the blogosphere trashing Hillary and her supporters and anyone who didn't fall in line and act as they were and are, sheep, with all the help from the media and blogs such as these. If obama wins the nomination he will pay dearly for this hate filled primary season he has inspired, not only will Hillary supporters not vote for him but the independents and repubs that have been voting for him (not because they intend to vote for him in the general) will go for McCain. Oh and lets not forget the 2.5 million Democrats he continues to disenfranchise in MI & FL if they are not counted in this election process there is no way in HELL he will ever get them to vote for him.

Tavis Smiley has done more for black people then obama could ever dream of and it has been truly disgusting watching this unfold.

[chernist]

I am actually disgusted with what is going on in the black community. It is a shame that all blacks care about right now is having a black leader irrespective of concerns as to whether the black candidates cares about their issues or not.

We will have a rude awakening when Obama gets there and is more worried about repaying those who helped mastermind his campaign than he does about the needs of the blacks.

Tavis, chin up. I have been following you for years and your work , you will be vindicated. Obama is being protected by the media just like they protected George Bush but when they turn on him, he will not know what hit him.
Mine is one black vote he will not be getting if he wins the nomination, unfortunately for hit group, I am not an elected official so they can't come after me or issue death threats against me for saying that Obama is a fraud.

[EljayAll]

Sorry Dr. Hutchinson:

But Tavis Smiley did not issue any comments regarding Hillary Clinton's complete snub of Louisiana before the primary there. Clinton accepted Smiley's invitation to his overblown State-of-the-Black Union only after she discovered that she actually had to work for the Black vote. Before this time period, Clinton had blown off Louisiana and New Orleans assuming that the majority of Black voters would vote for Obama.

Black folks would never have had a problem with Smiley's criticisms of Obama had Smiley spent as much time examining and critiquing Hillary Clinton and John McCain. Smiley has treated Obama as if he was running for "President of Black America"; and black voters as if we do not have enough sense to examine Obama's record, his statements, and his policy positions. We did not support Al Sharpton or Carol Mosely Braun's bid for the Democratic nomination--We did not find them as compelling or as capable of winning.

Do Clinton and McCain get a pass on the anniversary of King's assassination because they are white? Obama's absence was noticed, but why was he the only one critiqued? FYI: Winning the presidency would be a much better gift to King's legacy than attending an event that contained more symbolism than substance.

Pardon us members of the "Obama Thought Police" for being tired of the "Negro/Black Thought Police" whose careers depend on conferences and controversy. We black folks can make up our own minds about Obama and anyone else.

[Darksider]

Why should Obama bail Smiley out of the fire? He's had nothing to do with this one way or the other. If anything Smiley has been hypercritical of him. Yes Obama has been invited to Smiley's forum. Yes, he declined. That should have been the end of that but Smiley wanted to take it farther. And now that Smiley is getting heat for his comments and positions Obama should bail him out? Once again Obama should respectfully decline.

[Dartanion]

Mr. Hutchinson:
The problem I have with african Americans who are still Clinton supporters is that;
"like George Bush, we should not hold on to a mistakes. We should be big enough to
acknowledge that we made a mistake ... then move on'! While I can understand some
African American initial support for the Clinton's, how can you explain their support of the
Clinton's after their racist campaign strategy! The Clinton's have insulted the Black community;
How then can a self respecting African American vote for Hillary!!!

[Dartanion]

Tavis Smiley has behaved disgracefully regarding Barack Obama! When asked by a guest on his TV show ; if America was ready to elect a black President, he replied "yes, but he did not thInk that Obama was the RIGHT CANDIDATE". Tavis has to get off of the ego trip that he is on!

[SayonaraSnot]

"verbal public lynching"???

You have got to be kidding me.

[WillBFair]

Obama's lack of experience is bad enough. His policy positions are either far left cliches or complete fantasies: converting the red Sates, reforming campaign finance, dictator parties. They reveal an alarming ignorance of basic realities. Anyone can recite a wish list, although the deep voice and sing song delivery really put it over.
The Clintons have a spectacular governing record a mile long. And they don't make promises they can't keep in order to mislead the young and inexperienced.
Fixing the economy and ending the war strategically will take incredible resources, for which we'll need the Clinton knowledge and echeivement more than ever.
If Obama wins, and after we've withdrwn from Iraq, independents will have no more reason to vote for us. He'll waste precious time working on his ridiculous promises. We'll loose the congress, then the presidency. It's not clear if the party will recover in our lifetime.

[pottery]

I agree with you this week, EOF. Fair, open discourse, and respect for positions that differ from our is to be valued. We can't hear the truth if we close ourselves off from the opinions of others, especially people who work diligently in the public arena, as TS does.

But, darn it, you still seem to veer toward to the rather unfair (but predictable) goal of laying this at the feet of Barack Obama.

[markflour]

This is an OFFENSIVE article (and it's borderline racist). It doesn't even mention the African Americans who do choose Obama because he is the BETTER candidate. It, insultingly, mentions only those who choose him because of race.

I'm African American and I vote for Obama because he is NOT part of the devisive dishonest political machines of the past 30 years like HRC. I choose him because he thinks OUT OF The BOX (unlike the author- based on his recent articles). And he actually brings people together. I choose him because he's brilliant, unlike our current president.

Tavis, blindly. followed HRC and it was apparent in his coverage.

[accountability]

I vote for Obama because he is NOT part of the devisive dishonest political machines of the past 30 years like HRC.

Are you kidding me?

his whole campaign is filled with an inside Washingtons who's who of political machinery. K street included.

People will buy anything that comes in a brand new shiney package, especially one that is wrapped pretty.
Do your research.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't vote for Obama, it means get realistic.

And BTW, stop the hating of Clinton too... its the same thing, this unreasoned parroting of the talking points all wrapped up in a pretty little Axelrod package.

Its really getting old this knee jerk, Obama is a saint and it is not possible for him to do wrong, Clinton is a demon and she is the one responsible for all the ills of the world. In fact she is the real culprit whenever someone dares to raise a question about Obama.

[lebaneseliberal]

I am an Obama supporter and I belive the following:

1- Travis Smiley has the right to criticize whoever he wants, be it Obama, Hillary, Jesus or even Toni the Tiger!

2- Travis should have not resigned. I believe it shows weakness from his part.

3- I support everything he says regarding holding Obama accountable, especially when it comes to issues that are predominantly relevant to the African-American community.

[DVD2DVD]

Watch Bill Moyer's interview with Shelby Steele.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01112008/watch2.html

[progresemulo]

No one ran him out. Smiley chose to resign. If he can't take the odd angry E-mail, then he's not fit to be a radio host.

[DVD2DVD]

CONSIDER THIS;
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01112008/watch2.html

I AGREE WITH EARL:

"The second shame and disgrace is that those blacks that exercise their democratic right to pick the candidate they think will do the best job and not blindly back a candidate based solely because he's black are considered race traitors. This is almost a text book variation on the old Orwellian Animal Farm saga of when the formerly oppressed flip the power table and suddenly become the new masters. They think, act and behave like the bunch that they kicked out of power. They are just as oppressive, stifling and thick headed toward any views and opinions that don't conform to theirs."

Obama the "Bargainer"
Is there such a thing as white guilt?
Of course.
And not to admit that it is a bargaining chip is a denial of reality.
Does Obama offer the white person who votes for him , redemption and absolution
from "white guilt."?
These are legitimate questions....and there are others, but, at least it's a start at looking
at things as they are , rather than how we wish they were.

[mojomagic]

Here's the new boss...............same as the old boss?

[arthuride]

If the DNC has the crassness to cave in to the obamamania, it will lose more than my vote, but the vote of many other people who prefer realism over rhetoric. And it is more than just the vote, it loses my financial support as well--not just for the presidential slot but for all races at all levels--and we are talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars will be pulled away, as the Obamacrats libel and slander anyone who doesnot accept or endorse their god, and pitch feverishly against those who support the "other" candidate. This will backfire on them, as already the richest donors to the DNC have pulled their funding out and more will follow. Obama will make history--as the individual who destroyed the Democratic Party, diminished and tarnished the word democrat, and who lost to John McCain in 2008, as the older Democrats, those who abhore racism under all guises, who are shocked that Michelle Obama never had any love or respect for the USA until her husband ran for the White House, despite the number of American lives lost in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, etc, and thumbing her nose at all the accomplishments of American scientists, from Salk and a cure for polio, putting a man on the moon, and more--still she sides with Jeremiah Wright and his God-damn the US of KKKA, and diminishes the significance of the rights of women to disagree.

[progresemulo]

Assuming that your aren't a Republican troll, I suggest that you fact-check your claims about Michelle Obama, because they're false.

[Nommo]

You make no sense. Many Blacks served and died in the wars of this country. Rev. Wright is a decorated vet. The same freedom of speech that allows you to spew that discombobulated garbage allows Rev. Wright and Mrs. Obama to say what they will.

Here's a bit of history for you. Nazis got America to the moon (if in fact anyone was there at all), the same Nazis who designed weapons of mass destruction to drop on citizens the UK.

[Syco]

Most people don't know that basically Hitler got us to the moon

[Syco]

She respects the people not the government jackass