On Leaving The Tom Joyner Show

The following is a transcript of my commentary from the Tom Joyner Morning Show from earlier today:

There is no way to put into words the love and respect that I have for Tom Joyner or the love affair that I've had with Tom Joyner Morning Show listeners for almost 12 years now.

Tom's announcement last Friday about my decision to leave this morning show at the end of June came, I suspect, as a surprise to you and, honestly, as a shock to me. I had no idea that my dear friend Tom Joyner was going to share with you Friday morning what we had just discussed barely 12 hours earlier Thursday evening. But I have accepted Tom's apology and that is for me, now, old business.

You see, even when you take issue with his methodology, it's hard for me to have any sustained angst or anger with the man. The man who almost 12 years ago realized that I had a little something to say and that HE had a platform on which I could say it.

Here again, words cannot convey my abiding appreciation, my deep gratitude for the man who allowed me to express myself: before BET, before NPR, before PBS, before PRI (Public Radio International), before my New York Times best selling books, before my own imprint SmileyBooks, before my High Quality Speakers Bureau, before ... well, I think you get my point.

Sometimes I joke that my life is really divided into two periods, "BT" and "AT", "Before Tom" and "After Tom".

On the real, I'd take a bullet for Tom Joyner. Not in my heart, maybe in my arm ...my left arm... maybe in my leg! Not in my heart, but I would take a bullet for Tom Joyner. I love this brother.

But if finding a love language to tell you how I feel about Tom Joyner is a challenge this morning, then you better believe that trying to express how I feel about YOU, each and every one of you, is next to impossible. And you know that I am never speechless. I pray that by the end of June when I transition out of this Tuesday/Thursday sacred and consecrated space - that's what it is for me - I hope by then, I will have found the words to describe and an appropriate way to thank you for 12 years of putting love in my heart, hope in my soul and a smile on my face.

In July I will celebrate 12 years as the resident political commentator and social critic on this radio program. Twelve years of 3 AM wakeup calls. Twelve years of asking questions, addressing topics, raising issues, profiling people and places. Twelve years of challenging us to re-examine the assumptions that we hold. Twelve years of trying to expand our inventory of ideas. Twelve years of standing on my square, trying to lead by loving, trying to save by serving. Twelve years of love and service.

Now, I realized a long time ago that you're never rewarded for virtue, so, I've just tried to tell the truth as I see it, even when you didn't agree. I can almost guarantee that between now and the end of June, you're going to fall out with me again! That said, I always prefer light, but you better believe that I can take the heat.

I always prefer light, ALWAYS prefer light, but you can best believe that I can take the heat. Twelve years of never taking an opinion poll, never putting my finger to the wind to test what might be the acceptable, politically correct, popular thing to say. Twelve years of asking God to give me the courage to say and do what I think is right, even when I think it's hopeless.

I was just past the age of 30 when I started with Tom. I'm now 43. I wasn't a math major, but I think 43 and 43 equals 86. Given the life expectancy of Black men, and let's be honest for that matter, Black women, I now have more years behind me than I have in front of me.

We tend to not like to think about mortality, especially when we're 43 years young. But this isn't really about mortality as much as it is about reality. My granddad used to say to me all the time, "Tavis, the best ideas in Black America can be found in the graveyard."

For so long as a child I didn't quite get that. I do now. So many of us go to our graves with good ideas that we never did anything about. You see, death may come like a thief in the night, but it cannot steal the love you've already given away.

And so, every year on my birthday I spend time reflecting how I did with the goals that I set for myself last year. And I spend time wrestling with what I'd like to accomplish over the next year of my life. Not New Year's resolutions, but on my natal day.

Big Mama always told me, "Tavis, you can do anything, but son you can't do everything." Big Mama, as usual, was right.

And so, I find myself having to clean some stuff off my plate so that I can pursue certain other passion projects which require, at this point in my life, a deeper commitment on my part. We are in the process now of doing not one, not two, but three documentaries. One directed by the Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme. I'll tell you more about that later.

Another documentary, already in development, takes a microscopic look, a no-holds barred look, at what happens in our communities when the few hospitals that are serving our people close down. It's starting to happen all across the country.

We're also working on America I Am: The African American Imprint on America. We talked about this at the State of the Black Union, but this is the biggest, baddest, boldest, Black exhibit ever created. Imagine, 15,000 square feet. It's a massive exhibit that tells the story of our imprint on America.

W.E.B. DuBois asked the question, "Would America have been America without her Negro people?" It's about time 400 years later that we put together an exhibit that will travel the country, for five years, to major cities, that tells the story of our imprint on America. We're about to announce in just a few weeks where that exhibit will kick off this fall. That announcement will be made right here on the Tom Joyner Morning Show.

SmileyBooks. As a kid, I grew up reading Dr. Cornel West. I am now blessed to publish Dr. West. His next book, called Hope On A Tightrope is coming out this Fall.

I mentioned my birthday earlier. I share my birthday with a dear sister named Iyanla Vanzant. Iyanla's next book, Tapping the Power Within (20th Anniversary edition) is coming out this Fall as well on SmileyBooks. I owe it to them to help put their books on the list as well.

The Accountable book, the last book in the Covenant trilogy. Accountable is about making the Covenant real. You don't know the work that goes into putting these books together. We got the first two on the list and made America take notice of The Covenant and The Covenant In Action. We can't come up short on this last book, holding the new President and leaders across the country accountable to making the Covenant real. That book is coming out in February.

Speaking of February, next year is the 10th anniversary of the State of the Black Union symposium. It's because of Tom Joyner and this platform that we created the State of the Black Union. It is now the most watched program on C-Span and the most requested DVD every year. We've got a lot of work to do to celebrate this Anniversary the way it ought to be celebrated. Next year is also the 10th anniversary of the Tavis Smiley Foundation, working to empower young people around the issue of leadership development.

I've got the two major party conventions back-to-back this summer - Democrats in Denver followed the next week by the Republicans in Minneapolis.

None of this includes my day jobs! I've got a television show every night on PBS, I've got a radio show on PRI (Public Radio International) where we're about to start a wonderful series called "My America 2008". There's a lot of stuff on my plate. I've got to move some of the stuff off my plate to concentrate on these new passion projects.

And so, 12 years later, this platform, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, has provided a space for my gift from God to make room for itself. My gift has made room for itself and so will yours. Put another way, the more you do, the more you can do.

And so, I'm excited about the opportunity to bear witness and to share our story with a broader audience of Americans who need to be enlightened, encouraged and empowered by our story. I've committed to help Tom identify the person, who will take these reins on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, through an exciting process which Tom and I will roll out for you just a little bit later. A process that you, the listener, will be involved in to help select my successor. Finally, it seems to me, that if being Black is about anything, then it ought to be about Black folk giving other Black folk a chance to grow, a chance to succeed. My definition of success is simple: "How many other folk did you help make successful?"

So, Tom Joyner, 12 years ago knew that I had something to say, but needed a platform on which to say it. Somewhere there's somebody else 12 years later who has something to say but needs a platform. The time has come.

Comments

[Msohio]

Tavis,
I was tired of you anyway. It seemed that your little ego got in the way. In the beginning, you were a jewel but you allowed your personal view of yourself to become the end all - be all. Good-bye and good luck. Don't let the door hit you.

[anghiari]

I suspect Mr. Smiley could really have used a single paragraph if not a sentence to say the same thing! Does that man love the sound of his own voice or what?

[strifeknot]

You've always been an intellectual lightweight, Tavis, and your thoughts on this or any other matter are of absolutely no consequence.

[Kim445588]

I appreciate the work you have done, but puleeze man up! You turning down Mrs. Obama to attend since Barack was a little busy running for president, was also little too egocentric for my taste.

In your writing, you mentioning other black folk a chance to grow. Maybe you should take your own advice and support Obama, since that is how you are defining success.

[bobthefish]

Geeze....this primary race is just crushing my opinion of all these people I used to respect. First Bill Clinton, then Hillary Clinton, then Geraldine Ferrarro, and now Tavis Smiley. The Dems had better wrap this up soon - before the Democratic Party is effectively divided into the "Obamas" and "NObamas."

[cher2mur]

For all the "Black Folk", who have almost lost their minds when it comes to supporting Obama, have you noticed the "DISRESPECT" to the African American support that he realizes that he has? .He didn't attend, but HILLARY, who has supported african american causes for years DID.

Also, let me remind you of the "KING" anniversary. Hillary, stopped her campaign to go, even McCAIN, a man who voted against the holiday and faced a "booing" crowd, showed up. But OBAMA was to busy to interupt his schedule to show up for a man whom he has been compared to, and is basically riding his coat-tails into history. He was up in the polls, he is mathematically the nominee, so once again his disrepect to his "BLACK SIDE" is shown once again. Even if the other candidates are corting the BLACK vote, they are showing more respect to BLACK folk, than the Black candidate is showing his own people.

Last week at a campaign stop, his peolple were over-heard saying, "there are to many African Americans, sitting behind him, we need more WHITE people to be scene on television. He has taken your support for granted....I am not saying, don't support him- I am simply saying, "PAY ATTENTION" and don't get used for the "GREATER GOOD" that will probably never benefit you. Better the devil you know (Hillary) than the one you don't (OBAMA)

OPEN YOUR EYES!!!!!!!!!! New friends are GREAT----but old ones are GOLD

[Eternal]

No, you miss the point.

How many Black presidents have there been?

Was Mitt Romney attending Mormon summits while running?
Was Joe Liberman going to Jewish summits while running for VP?
Was Kennedy meeting with the Pope while running?

Do you plant seeds in a growing crop?

No, you fertilize and plant seeds in uncultivated soil.

You all are so blind, you would have him pandering to you, feeding your ego, while loosing the election.

Damn, sometimes the lack of tactical awareness in our community embarrasses me. Set aside your petty need to be stroked and see the reality of the election process.

Let's stop winning Pyhrric victories.

If Obama has a chance to win the big prize, I candidly don't see anything on Tavis's agenda that would outweigh that goal, or move me to see his behavior as anything other than self important.

[cher2mur]

Running for PRESIDENT is also self important......Tavis has his agenda, and OBAMA has his.

[MARSHA1961]

Well said!

[Kim445588]

Try telling the truth in your post.

[Freedomscap]

Disrespect -- you don't know what you are talking about. It's disrespectful of you to categorize Obama as the "black" president. He is the president of all Americans, not just black Americans. Hillary and McCain are merely pandering to the black community.

Disrespect to his "black side" -- what in the heck does that mean? And what do you know about a "black side." Way too simplistic your analysis and Obama has more depth than silly and simple comparisons and attempts to categorize and characterize his motives and choices.

[cher2mur]

Let me PUKE it out to you...I meant an African American Candidate. The Disrespect to the Black side, was expressed due to his African and Caucasan heritage... He seems not to take African American events seriously...

OH BY THE WAY, I am BLACK and deeply offended by his DISSING of two events, where he could have shown a bit more interest.

Since you seem to know him so well, make sure you cc a copy of this to him....

[Anastasia]

Maybe the question should be, who would Dr. King endorse as the person most likely to continue his legacy? My bet is on Obama.

Showing up at the King anniversary, says absolutely nothing abut how a candidate may or may not behave in office. Symbolic gestures, are just that. It's only the candidates politics in action, that have any real meaning.

[ann1]

Thank you Anastasia........I'm so tired of people trying to pull that guilt trip mess. I watched "King" the special. After watching that I came away with a greater understanding of Dr. King the man. He was about action and moving forward. He too was often criticized by his OWN people. AA have got to get it together and put aside the envy and jealousy. Do what you do and let the next man do the same without condemning.

[anghiari]

Cher2mur...both you and Tavis ought to get one thing clear...black folks are as diverse and complicated as any other group of voters. You two as much as anybody out there keep attempting to put black folks in a box. Less you be mistaken many black people are not voting for Senator Obama simply because he is black. Ward Connerly is black, Shelby Steele is black, Condoleeza Rice is black, and I would no more vote for any of them for dog catcher...so get off the black side and slide on over to the integrity side, the policy side, the smart side and then perhaps you have something to say to black voters who support Barack Obama!

[Seattlelite]

Nice resume. Was there something else you were trying to tell us?

[Skalpyl]

Wow. Tavis is awfully impressed with himself. What a narcissistic whiner.

[rthom]

Tavis Smiley is the best...

[brabc1]

Why is Obama hiding from African American gatherings? It's as if he has to prove to white voters that he won't be too black. Think about it.

[oracle99]

Obama isn't hiding from blacks...but neither should blacks expect more from him than they do his white counterparts. He is running as the president of the United States.....not the Black United States.

[anghiari]

That is the most childish, amateurish statement I have heard in a long time. If you're a surgeon and you enter a room and there are ten people lying there needing a doctor, do you help the guy bleeding out or the guy with a broken arm? You need to see Obama to affirm what? That he is qualified to run, that he is black enough to run, that he is smart enough to run? The stupidest thing you can do is ask somebody to come see you to make your ego feel better. If you knew anything about how grueling campaigning is---don't ask a candidate to come see you just so you can say he came to see you. Geez people

[independentrepublicrat]

[And this is what Jesus means, I think, in this very passage when he says, "Love your enemy." And it’s significant that he does not say, "Like your enemy." Like is a sentimental something, an affectionate something. There are a lot of people that I find it difficult to like. I don’t like what they do to me. I don’t like what they say about me and other people. I don’t like their attitudes. I don’t like some of the things they’re doing. I don’t like them. But Jesus says love them. And love is greater than like. Love is understanding, redemptive goodwill for all men, so that you love everybody, because God loves them. You refuse to do anything that will defeat an individual, because you have agape in your soul. And here you come to the point that you love the individual who does the evil deed, while hating the deed that the person does. This is what Jesus means when he says, "Love your enemy." This is the way to do it. When the opportunity presents itself when you can defeat your enemy, you must not do it.]---Martin Luther King

Most posts here are unwittingly destructive. Don't kick a man when he is down, especially one who has been in the "foxhole" for 12 years. Let it go and grow up. Tavis Smiley has moved on, Barack Obama has moved on, and now crazed supporters of both men should MOVE ON!

[Axolotl]

oh, just go, Tavis, and don't forget the kneepads when you talk with your idol, Hillary.

[aaronr2000]

Tavis I'm a big fan of the SOTBU forums . I tell family members, even strangers, that C-span is broadcasting the event. I think your commitment to helping blacks in America is sincere.

I conceed that it is personal when you get death threats because you criticized Obama for not attending it, and I wish you and your family much success and safety. Just make sure you are not making these goals about you. You may have felt insulted by Barack's not attending the SOTBU, but if you declined Michelle Obama because you wanted Barack himself, that's insulting and makes me think it is about you.

Michelle is an amazing woman. Oprah Winfrey and Caroline Kennedy opened for Michelle during a speech in California. As she spoke I kept thinking, she's going to steal her husband's thunder if she doesn't take it down a notch, but that was before I knew she was the keynote speaker.

Please, don't be like Star Jones whose every move is designed to draw attention to herself, but instead learn from your friends Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton who have gracefully stepped aside to not command the spotlight from Obama.

[thejoshuablog]

You're an arrogant putz. Your ego is only surpassed by your expectation of entitlement.

Barack Obama NOT attending your conference was THE smartest thing he could have done.

[Sepiastar]

Tavis, thank you so much for your continuous work for the African American community and your attempt to enlighten the masses. It is unfortunate that you will no longer be on the Tom Joyner show but obviously it was your time to move forward. I am a staunch supporter of Senator Obama's quest for the presidency and some of your objections were valid while others appeared as personal vendettas. We can all agree to disagree and there is no way I can hold any malice in my heart for anyone that has courageously stood for equality in the African American community. Much Success Brother in your future endeavors!

[Nommo]

The worse part of the whole affair is that you seem to miss the bigger picture. I mean, kudos for all you are trying to do, but you are not the only or the whole story. You should think a bit more profoundly about the the drum major instinct as Dr. King spelled it out. If you support Hillary, then do so without reservation, but don't play Hillary games with Brotherman Obama. It reduces all that other stuff you got listed all over the place to shit.

It is about the face that we may get to show to the world, a place that is changing in huge ways, and we need to stop bring up the rear on these matters. Read the story in Time about his mother. I wonder if you are on board with the elitist crap, my feeling is that you have to know better than that. At least let your appreciation of things by all appearance take hold and imagine what Swillary is going to look like in four years and if you want that visage plastered all over your monitor for that period of time. Imagine how much foundation that is going to require.