Tavis Smiley, 2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Chris Jones
Dear Mr. Smiley,
I have admired you immensely as a positive force in the Black community and a consummate professional among your peers. That subtle Gulfport, Mississippi accent blends well with your fine tuned delivery and your manicured decorum.
Since President Obama convincingly earned his residency at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, there’s been a self-assigned modification in your publicized causes and their effects. It’s no secret that this rift presumably developed shortly after the then Senator from Illinois’ was unable to attend your then annual State of the Black Union in 2009.
Still a staunch supporter of now President Obama, I remain puzzled about how two bright, young African American men, having the talent and connections to be super stars within their respective community and country, could deviate from what seemed to be a symmetrical course. I know where the President is going; I am not sure about you?
Just recently Chris Matthews, during the “Let Me Finish” segment of his program on MSNBC shed some light on what the hating the President is about. For all of his post Presidential accomplishments, Obama still cannot earn due props from many of his adversaries, in large part because of his race. Yes, I said it and you should know it, as well. That disturbed mentality is so embedded in the disdainful spirits of so many that they will never applaud him, no matter how monumental his accomplishments are. Why? He’s smart, gracious, attentive, strategic, reflective, empathetic, engaging and quite political. I guess that’s not quite enough because, by preconceived standards, he just doesn’t look the part.
So what’s this got to do with you? A lot. Prior to the next President’s “no show decision” for your forum due to a previous campaign agenda schedule, you seem to have precluded that you should be the apparent choice for the direct link of President Bush’s replacement to the African American populace? A reminder: Barack Obama was running for President of the United States, and, not the head of the Urban League, no disrespect intended. This new President brought a new kind of “A game” to the Beltway … one that you had not played before.
soulbrotherspeaks.com 