Regarding The Tom Joyner Morning Show

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

Due to the overwhelming amount of phone calls and emails I have received from listeners and other media, I wanted to briefly clarify a few issues that I will address more fully in my regular TJMS commentary on Tuesday morning, April 15, at 8:20 a.m. ET.

I did not "quit" the Tom Joyner Morning Show effective immediately. In July I will celebrate my 12th anniversary with the show, and as I discussed with Tom, it is my intention to take on the issues of the day in my commentary twice every week with the same energy, passion and commitment until the end of June.

Contrary to what has been suggested, I have decided to clear some things off my plate so that I can devote my time and attention to some exciting and empowering projects that The Smiley Group, Inc. and other divisions of my company have underway this summer, this fall and beyond.

I look forward to continuing the dialogue on Tuesday and in the coming months.

Comments

[drmommy]

Don't worry about boring us on 'tax day' Tavis. I would rather hear an uninterrupted analysis of the Strawberry Letter. Instead of expressing a 'PC' explanation of your absence, maybe you should take that time to review why many people expressed such frustrations over Bill Cosby's choice of audience not too long ago. I am sure that you can read between those lines. No doubt, your credibility would have dissipated faster than your ratings had you stayed anyway. Bye Bye...just as it was expressed to Lanny Davis on CNN not too long ago, "You're spreading the poison again."

[chaszz]

Tavis Smiley has presumptuously set himself up as the Essential Person for Black Issues. His invitation to Obama was not an invitation but an order. "Not good enough." What a conceited thing to say! Who made him King? Who the hell is he to demand obeisance from anyone? A certain amount of success has swelled his head. Tavis, with your inflated ego, you may be amazed by this fact: no one is indispensible, not even Really Special People like You.

[drmommy]

You are SOOO right! He can't BE Obama...and it is killing him!

[Awaki]

What is really sad here, is that Black people know far more about Tavis Smiley than they do Barack Obama yet you trash Smiley and support Obama. What you know about Tavis is he has given over a decade of his life to addressing black issues in ways that empower black people, including our young people. Black people cannot name one thing Barack Obama has done for black people other than use the color of his skin to run for the office of president and get the black vote. He did not go to the SOBU in New Orleans and he did not go to Memphis to honor Dr. King. His continued dismissal of Black people will catch up with him one day sooner than anyone thinks and Tavis Smiley will be standing by to see it. Black people, as usual, will be the losers.

[anghiari]

Don't bet the house on that prediction!

[bsworld]

I happen to agree with some of your comment. However, I do not feel that just because Tavis is a black man that, that means Barack must come to whatever functions he invites him to! Also, you should really do your homework, because Barack is a civil rights attorney that speaks volumes alone not including all the other things he has done for all people struggling not just black people. I really feel like black people tend to try and pull one another down like the crab in the barrel cliche' it is really sad. We should be proud of Barack and support him no matter what!

[4Hope]

You should listen. You should go to Senator Obama's website. You should read his books. Or do you just want to parrot the crap you've been hearing & reading from the ill- informed?
Tavis has worked for Black people & he should continue to do just that by stifling his bossy self-righteous self & quit the whining.
Senator Obama has never dismissed anyone. He didn't attend SOBU or go to Memphis because he was working for the betterment of ALL Americans.
Wake up & check out your mis-directed anger......

[StandingStill]

How dare you suggest that B.S.! Maybe your dumb tail doesn't know about Obama but I do! And can name several things he's done like writing legislation to change the death penalty law in Illinois, which was effecting more Blacks than anyone else. Like writing the new law about Congress taking gifts and meals from lobbiest...like writing OVER 233 pieces of legislation on health care and getting several passed.

And you know what, I didn't go to SOBU and it's not because I don't care about Black people's needs or concerns but because I was WORKING in Texas as a volunteer for Sen. Obama that week! And Sen. Obama was working trying to get elected as president of the USA! And I won't even go into trying to DEMONIZE one brother over another, as you seem want to do. But if Sen. Obama doesn't do anything else for Blacks than to get them out to the poles and votes that's enough for me, because I'm not looking for a president to work for Black people only, I'm voting for president who will work all of us WE THE PEOPLE! YES WE CAN AND WE WILL! With or without you and Tavis! God Bless you my Brother or Sister!

[savertime]

Therefore, he is not black enough?? He has not proved his black bona fides??
This perception is why blacks will be the losers.

[drmommy]

Unless you understand what is really happening here...you won't understand the problem with it!

[Senella]

I will miss you Tavis. I also saw you on Real Time. Fo much of the show you seem to have a frown on your face. You did not seem to be the same fun loving guy I saw at those Sky Shows. I am sorry for all the hate you have received. May God Bless You!

[rasil]

I agree with Tom Joyner but add a more significant point. Tavis falsely saw himself as the emerging
"Golden Boy". When Senator Obama arrived on the scene specifically giving his eloquent speech at the DNC, no 0ne on the East coast knew who he was. I immediately contacted my friends in Chicago to find out that this awesome human being had been implementing the work of one who sincerely cared about the poor, the disenfranchised, the despised, and forgotten. This was validation and credibility enough for me. The problem lies herein...Tavis felt that Senator Obama had upstaged his position and Tavis simply could not handle it. After all, in Tavis' mind, who is this person and from where did he originate? Tavis held The Black State of The Union annually, but NEVER moved beyond the conferences. He did NOTHING for the Black community just held these conferences annually and sold his book. As people of African extract, we need to place feet on our words and not just yhold conferences every year. This is where Senator Barack exceeds Tavis. He not only spoke the words but actualized them in the South side of Chicago. In my opinion it was not only the hate but moreover, the attention that was/is bestowed on the senator. In plain English language "envy". Some say jealousy but I also add envy. Dangerous and debilitating abstractions. Jealousy can only exists with desire while envy resents what you are or represent.. Tavis simply resents.

[cyndeewi]

Just to add a little more to your awesome comment Rasil. Obama wants all of us to come together. Tavis was awesome for blacks but Obama wants all people of this world to go together and work as a team.

[Owlygirl]

Newsflash! Tavis can say and do what the hell he wants. If he wants to support Clinton or Bugs Bunny, he is entitled to do so. Reading some of the criticisms here is pretty depressing. I mean is every black person expected to fall in line and not diverge. I don't get that. Who wrote those rules? And how is it a negative for Obama? Is he losing votes? Are people jumping ship to go with Clinton because of anything said by Tavis? Doesn't look like it. So where's the harm; were's the danger to the campaign? Right! Nowhere - only in your heads.

To his harsher critics: Zip it and leave the man be. Tavis is going to keep on keeping on whether you approve or not. And I think Obama will be just fine too.

[anghiari]

Owlygirl,
Tavis also gets to deal with the consequences of what he says...Why are you complaining about the backlash? He got to say what he wanted didn't he? who are you to give orders to folks on this post who get to say exactly how they feel about a guy who got to big for his britches? Who cares if he falls in line. We don't ! He is the one marketing a television show to the public and he is the one who needs an audience. Zip it? Except of course if he is content with just Bill and Hill watching when they get a chance...then he is good to Grow up girly. Tavis needs us more than we need him.

[saintswriter]

True, Tavis can support who he wants, and Clinton is who he wants. Great. The problem with Tavis, as with most Clinton supporters -- Bob Johnson, Charlie Rangel, Andrew Young, Stephanie Jones, -- etc. etc. etc. is that they feel that they have to trash Obama in order to lift up Hillary.

The Tom Joyner show reaches 10 million listeners. If t Tavis' rants were to go unanswered, that could signal to many voters who are not up on the issues that Tavis is right.crticism. It is the responsibility of anyone -- black or white -- who hears unfair criticism, false information, or distorted facts on national radio or TV to immediately correct it. Part of Tavis' strategy is to paint Obama as the candidate for the presidency of Black people. Barack is the most multi-cultural presidential candidate this country has ever had, and the most able to effectively serve the interests of all people.. But by constantly pouncing on his accountability to Black people, Tavis is helping the Clintons race-card tactic. Tavis Smiley needs to campaign for his candidate, instead of using his position in the media to campaign against Barack Obama . Unfortunately, Sen. Clinton does not seem able to offer any truthful qualities which would enable him to do this.

[Jezreel]

Amen! Saintswriter you hit the nail on the head.

[cyndeewi]

Think Walmart Owlygirl.... If you don't know anything about Tavis, Walmart and Clinton then do some damn research.

[PollyTics]

Wait a minute here. Didn't Geraldo Reivera help give Tavis smiley his start in television/radio years ago? Wasn't it Geraldo who inspired Tavis and helped get him noticed above the fray? And wasn't it Geraldo who has become one and the same with Fox News & Murdoch?

I dunno, perhaps I am making too much of this, but all of this smells of yet another paid spokesperson for the highest bidder. It is most upsetting, but this sort of stuff goes on and on and on...

[Genna]

Where are your facts or evidence to support that slanderous assertion?

[PollyTics]

Calm down Genna, I am not making a slanderous assertion as you seem to suggest. Instead I am asking a question about an area that we have already seen far too many journalists complicit with money men/women.

It might be helpful to read and respond rather than accuse and denigrate...

[asere]

Tavis, make up with Barack.
Love to see you at one of the Inagural Parties.
Is going to be historic, man.
Join History in the making.

[drmommy]

He won't be invited...don't worry.

[StephenJK]

You should ask Tavis if he gives a rat's ass.

[prittfumes]

On November 5th (or well before that) you will see that any talk of inaugural parties for your black messiah was greatly premature.

[prittfumes]

Asere, the enormity of Obama's defeat if he is the Democratic nominee will, indeed, be historic.

[ishok]

Truth is, there are many blacks that are going to go down on that sinking ship called the Clinton campaign. It’s saddest to me to see what I had previously thought to be strong black leaders so willing to throw themselves on swords committing hari kuri, embark on kamikaze missions from which they cannot return and discard the will of their constituents (along with their political careers)for what? The Clintons? Did you see Bob Johnson lying or John Lewis crying? Do we even remember Rwanda, Lani Guinere, “3-strikes”. I’m sorry but I can’t see the basis for all this love and commitment for the Clintons. I’ll bet anyone that the Clintons won’t be the last off the boat. I figure Rep. Meeks will be the cabin mate that helps the Clinton’s onto the last lifeboat…
I saw a special on race last night, and it struck me…this campaign represents a modern grownup version of “THE DOLL TEST”

[CThruIt]

Wow! My sentiments. I can still see Bill Clinton in the documentary, Frontline: Ghosts of Rwanda saying with a smile on his face that it was not in the interest of the United States to intervene in the ongoing genocide in Rwanda. I can still remember the words of former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright in that same documentary stating that she did not know that the genocide was occurring. Ha-Ha. I can still remember seeing Mrs. Albright standing behind Hillary the night of the Iowa Caucuses. I can't see the basis for all this love either.

[Genna]

POST OBAMA.

My eyes have been opened. I happen to agree with the comments I have heard you espouse outside the TMJS about brother Obama. I voted for him as Illinois Senator. I did vote to support him for the Democratic nomination. If I am given the opportunity to vote for him in November, I will vote for him to be the U.S. president.

That said...

I have watched the way you have been treated for expressing an opinion contrary to what most black people want to believe is true about Obama. I am distressed by most responses in that they are personal ad ad hominem attacks and lack of substantive support. It is one thing to contradict and refute your points about Obama on strength of those points, but it is another thing to threaten you and your family personally.

I think the role of a Black journalist, commentator, or brother with some position is to point out when we are falling short. The correction helps keep us honest, accountable and responsible. I don't buy all this adulation on the front side of this campaign. If our community is ever going to go forward, the diversity of thought MUST be respected or else we really do become a one note group.

[anghiari]

Tavis seems to have a full fanload of women taking up for him...hmmm

[Genna]

First and foremost, if moving from the Tom Joyner Show is what is best for you, brother, than do what you have to do to improve the place from where you proclaim the good news (similar to Proverbs 1. Remember it is the highest gates of the city). Before the Obama thing came up, I thought you should move away from his format and the silliness in the show. With some of the jokes and nonsense some of his guests engage in, you seemed a little too high brow for their low brow antics.

PRE OBAMA. I thought you were doing more than your part in trying to *keep it real* while you were trying to elevate the conversation. BUT if our brothers and sisters want to keep their heads stuck in the sand, refuse to listen to wisdom being proclaimed from the gates of the city, what could/can you do? I'd try to listen to TJMS to wait for your commentary but some of the hosts' comments or the caller comments were just missed so many facts that it was an insurmountable feat.

In my mind's eye reviewing the body of your journalistic work + outreach, there was no one in our generation doing more to get to the next level. I believe you have to be where the people are in order to let them know what is going on, but I didn't think TJMS was the spot for you. Too much foolishness and not enough substance there.

[gilesjp]

Brother Smiley was dead wrong in his relentless bashing of Senator Obama. He actually abused his position with the constant bashing on TJR. Brother Joyner was very generous in not firing brother Smiley , I did not tune in to a black radio show to hear a black man bash another black man repeatedly and unprovoked. His behavior towards senator Obama made no sense at all. Brother Smiley just answer one question. HOW MUCH WERE THE MCCLINTONS PAYING YOU?

[Genna]

I disagree strongly.

One black has the right to tell another black man or black people for that matter, YOU ARE WRONG. HERE IS WHY: ...

Why can't Tavis disagree on principle without having his motives assailed?

[anghiari]

Why does this have to do with color? Tavis was wrong if Obama had pink Polka dots and a stripe down his back...Tavis was wrong when he made the initial statement and he is wrong today. He will be wrong tomorrow if he keeps up the same dialogue...but that is an entirely different issue from his right to say what he said. He gets to make as big a fool of himself as he wants to.

[didimus]

"I'm aware of the press reports about what he's said. I have not seen the actual transcript of the show itself. But assuming the press reports are right, it's a terrible thing to say, and it's unfortunate. And that's why—there was an earlier question about has the President said anything to people in his own party—they're reminders to all Americans that they need to watch what they say, watch what they do. This is not a time for remarks like that; there never is."

Press Secretary Ari Fleischer

WATCH IT, MR. SMILEY. OBAMA SUPPORTERS WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

[Jaylee07]

Thanks Ari, I agree wholeheartedly.

[LoRiseAntlers]

I would really like to know what the Clinton campaign is paying Mr'Smiley.

He as the smell of a paid hack.

[4wehttam]

Tavis, I'm really said to see you go, but you have to do what's best for you. I said in another post that you shouldn't have been upset at Obama for not attending the black state of the union address, I'm certain you don't hold that against him any longer, at least I hope you don't.

I heard you on Bill Maher a couple of weeks ago and I was really impress with the distinction you made with what MLK said and what Wright said. I had a deep respect for you before, but when I heard you clarify the point I was truly impressed. Thank you for all your hard work.

Please bear in mind that we as Obama's supporters really believe in him and what he represents. He is like no other politician that I have ever known. He inspires and gives me hope for the future, I see nothing wrong with that. I live in rural PA and feel like something has got to give soon and he's the only one I trust that will do HIS BEST with honesty and integrity.

Again thank you so much and we will miss you.