Tavis Smiley defends himself from critics, says Obama can't transcend race

The only "role" he has played is a Uncle Tom, praying and hoping that Miss Hillary could save us poor black folks and give him some business. I guess he has not learned, blacks don't need the a white person to save us, all we want is an equal chance. He is yet another out of the loop "black pundit" looking out only for himself who offers nothing to the discourse.

We never asked Tavis to play any role for us -- leadership or otherwise. He gave commentary. We didn't always agree. Now, most of us are at a fork in the road with Tavis and he still doesn't know what to say out of his redundant mouth.

Tavis is so eager to hold Barack accountable for issues he hasn't had a chance to address yet. He is the presumptive democratic nominee, not the president. This lets me know that Tavis has some other agenda. Has Tavis held the Clintons accountable for the issues important to the black community; has he held the Bush administration accountable for the issues important to the black community; has he held Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, The Congressional Black Caucasus, The NAACP, and all the black congress men and women and black mayors and counsel members across this country accountable for the "State of Black America"? I think not, so stop trying to make yourself relevant on the back of Obama; we're not falling for it Dude.

Funny he is now the moral barometer of the USA, and, yet, gave the Clinton's a pass with their race baiting for votes during the primary. He is as trifling as his weird way of speaking. I can see why his parents gave him beat downs as a kid as he said in a PBS interview. Smiley cares only for himself, not black America as he lies.

Tavis has long been an important voice addressing Black issues. However, I believe that he is very wrong in this issue he has personally brought up, and continues to bring up. It seems as if he wants Barack to correct some, if not all, the problems confronting us. GIVE THE BROTHER A CHANCE! This is not to say that he will CHANGE all things for the better, but let’s hope that he will get the chance to change a few. The operative phrase here is that he gets the chance. We all need to close our collective mouths so as not to give the opposition party an opportunity to use our words against him.

As tavis notes that just because Barack is black does not mean he gets a pass from him, well just because Barack is black and the presumptive democratic nominee does not mean he "HAD" to attend his "State of the Union". From what i saw, the symposium only discussed issues concerning Black/African-Americans today, nothing was solved. So why was it imperative that Barack appear at this symposium? I once saw Tavis Smiley as a very intelligent man. Notice I didn't say intelligent Black Man because to say so would mean that there are very few intelligent Black Men, which is not the case. It is unfortunate that Tavis sees himself as the ONLY intelligent Black Man worth listening to despite the millions of voters who also see Barack as an intelligent MAN worth listening to. I think Tavis should find another topic of discussion before his jealousy causes him to make a slip of the tongue like Jesse Jackson!

another jealous a** crab inna bucket

To question Barack Obama is not to attack him, you people have been absolutely ridiculous in your blind allegiance. Tavis Smiley was there fighting for the community way before I heard of Senator Barack Obama. I will vote with great pride on November 4th for Barack Obama, but I will hold his butt accountable, just like I will hold any other person accountable that I give my vote to, to question his methods or motives is not an attack people. Get a grip!

i'll just be happy when this negro clown learns how to speak proper english

Perry: What are we holding Barack accountable for? First, he hasn't won the presidency, hell he isn't even the nominee yet, really. If he does win the presidency for exactly what are we going to hold him accountable? Why is the burden his when these so called "black" leaders haven't been held accountable to the black community for the past 40 years. We need to start holding ourselves accountable for the state of the black community. Of course we will question Barack's methods and motives, but he doesn't owe "US" anything really. Most blacks didn't even know who the hell he was until whites told them. Unfortunately, Tavis is not only questioning Barack, he is attacking him and I don't think it's out of a concern for the community; I think his ego is bruised and he quickly found out that we really do protect our own, even against one another. We are not a monolith people. Be well, CF

Am I the only person in America who thinks Obama doesn't actually believe he can transcend race? The man isn't stupid, people. He's using that line to further discussion on the topic of race and, of course, to get white people to vote for him.

Anon, do you consider what you just said to be "proper English". And ChaoticFat, appreciate your response, but I strongly disagree with your premise. Barack is to be accountable for the things he say and do in his efforts to become President of the US and if he wants to he President than he owes alot to the people who will be responsible for electing him and to this country.

Where was Tavis' righteous indignation and demands for accountability when dead bodies were floating in the streets of New Orleans. When innocent black boys were being set up in Jenna, La. When the educational system (along with the rest of America), he proposes to love, was being sold off to contractors in Iraq. Tavis gives token commentary to these issues or none at all. Then he quickly gets back to promoting his latest money-making scheme. Well, we know a hater when we see and hear one. And, Tavis has the word HATER etched deeply into his forhead, for all to see. Where's the so-called brotherhood? Where's the so-called black pride and promotion of his black people. Even white people look at him askance. Because there is no rational reason not to support Barack. Which is why they(white people)are supporting him. Tavis is that black man who would have opposed Martin Luther King and Malcolm X during the height of their activity. For all his declarations of loving black people, this is one instance where actions speak louder than words. He says he loves black people, but he jumped on the white woman's bandwagon. We could give him a pass for that. But, he then tried to diminish Barack's accomplishment by insisting on accountability that he has not held anyone else to. And he continues to do so. I do not forgive him for that.

Yes Tavis, Barak skipped your useless state of the black union parade that serves as nothing more than a platform for old, useless, washed up negroes whom most younger blacks can not connect with. Get over it.

I at first understand the point Tavis was making. He wanted to hold Barack accountable. BUT the problem is he did it all wrong. He continues to talk about what Barack needs to do but refuses to recognize that just maybe his allegiance to the Clintons all those years has clouded his vision on just how accountable Barack should be. Barack can not show up at every BLACK function that we have because he has to be seen as a MAN that is accountable for ALL races in this country not just BLACK people. His is one of us and never dismisses that fact. BUT we are only 13% of the population which means 80-85% of his vote will come from other races. Tavis calm down and realize that Barack is one man fighting for millions of people not just black people.

Oh and did Tavis mention that Barack sent him a letter a month before the state of the black union saying he wouldn't be able to attend?? Because he was running for president of the UNITED STATES not of the BLACK UNION! Hillary on came because she and Tavis are friends!

it really must be nice where the obamamaniacs live. tavis has a valid point and obama will see the light soon.

The only black America he is fighting for is his house in the Hollywood Hills and that TV show he has that they show in my area at 3 in the morning. Its absolutely absurd to think that Obama is out to fix all that ails black folks. Why wasn't he after HRC on this? Why didn't he take Bush to task? Oh yeah, they don't care, so, he attacks the black guy he is jealous of. Smiley is good for one thing, ignoring, since he is not looking out for anyone and like Jesse Jackson is trying to do as much damage as he can because his Miss Hillary didn't get her entitlement. Don't need no house blacks talking for me and doing all they can to ensure 4 more years of failed McBush polices out of petty, catty jealousy.

Tavis, and, just what kind of name is that, proves, black folks are our own worse enemies. An historic moment in this history, and, out trot people of this ilk just like Clarence Thomas. Obama '08!

It's expected that the racists in the Democratic and Republican parties would come after Obama. Any adult person of African Ascent knows to expect a certain amount of racism living in American from those that embrace an "AmeriKKKlan" mindset. However what gets me funked up is the rise of the Obama haters club for disenchanted and shuffling Negroes that sprung up for the express (and failed) purpose of taking Obama down by any means necessary. Too many of our so called black leaders, pundits and preachers have been compromised. They sit in the shadows and at the footstools of corrupt power and when the spotlight shines on them, they do a jig and assume their place as the personal sock puppets of their racist enablers. They offer programs that put more money in their pockets and more misery in our communities. With Senator Obama having taken his place as the (de-facto)Democratic nominee for President, he will be calling the shots for the Democratic party. He is now the leader and Obama haters such as Tavis Smiley, Bob Johnson, Jesse Jackson and Andrew Young, et al, have been effectively eviscerated from the "player's club" of the Democratic Party. I say good riddance.

And another thing.... What Tavis and other noted African American Clinton supporters either don't or refuse to recognize is that Senator Obama is a legitimate Presidential candidate with a powerful resume. For Black folks, the fact that Senator Obama is an African American brings a sense of pride that is felt throughout all of our communities. However that sense of pride is secondary to the fact that it has been his character and his unique ability to articulate his vision of change that has propelled his candidacy. The American people believe Senator Obama is committed to bring Americans together to effect change and they have said so with their votes and their financial support. Senator Obama is able to articulate a vision that obviously connects with Americans of various ethnic backgrounds more so than any other candidate and that should be celebrated instead criticized.

Obama has already transcended race! Thank God.... I think Tavis is jealous and needs to get over it. Tavis has been good to talking a good game. But when the rubber meets the road and unity is needed, He retreats.

I too agree with most of the posts on this blog. When it comes to accountability, can someone please tell me what tangible by-products have been accomplished from Tavis Smiley's State of Black America events? I have heard that there are always lots of speeches by prominent African-Americans and others; many authors sell their books; and many small and large businesses push their products; but what has actually been done that "REALLY" benefits the Black communities throughout the US?

Neither Al Gore nor John Kerry faced this "accountability" test. Apparently when Barack Obama speaks about his plans for reforming that dreadful No Child Left Behind Act, he's only talking about white, latino, and jewish kids...but not little black kids...at least that's what these so called "black leaders" would have you believe. When Barack talked about programs for ex-offenders in his speech at the NAACP...did they think he meant only the white prisoners? When Barack Obama talks about making sure that Social Security is intact....do these "black leaders" understand how important SSI is to the black community?? Tavis can go to hell...I'm sick of these nuts acting like unless Barack Obama puts on army atigues and a black leather jacket and yells Power To The People, he is not speaking to black people about issues important to us. Barack has been speaking about our issues from the start, if they would just damn listen.

the obamabots are delusional. the only time barry talks to blacks is when he is talking down to them pandering for the white vote. please wake up people. Obama is sending us all to hell in a handbasket. He is not my messiah.

blkbandit...I doubt very seriously that anyone that has written in this forum thinks of Senator Obama as a messiah. He is running for POTUS. He is not the second coming of Christ, Mohammad, Bhudda, Imhotep, Heru, Auset, Ausar or any other religious deity. If you're going to make comments as in "Obama is sending us all to hell in a handbasket" then try adding a little context as to why you think that is the case. This is a forum for intelligent discussion. Please try and remember that when you post in here.

"There is another class of colored people who make a business of keeping the troubles, the wrongs, and the hardships of the Negro race before the public. Having learned that they are able to make a living out of their troubles, they have grown into the settled habit of advertising their wrongs — partly because they want sympathy and partly because it pays. Some of these people do not want the Negro to lose his grievances, because they do do not want to lose their jobs" -Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Obama's cult members don't understand a damn thing about electoral mandates.

@Stephen....An executive from low-wage, no benefits, slave working conditions Wal-Mart showed up to more or less say they were willing to give blacks who lived in the areas where they were opening their new stores a chance to come and slave for them. How's that for clout in the business community?? I honestly thought Dick Gregory was dead but he showed up and had to more or less be told to shut up and quit hogging the spotlight. His babbling even managed to embarrass Al Sharpton. You know it must not have mattered much if Jesse didn't show up. Pathetic indeed.

Anyone who saw the state of the black union or any portion of it on you-tube would know, you could have handed everyone there a banjo and aked them to play Old Susanna -Don't you CHANGE For ME! Cause we come from the willy linch generation and there no way I'm letter Another Strong Black Man "upstage Me". Barach could have sent a video message that would have made them all look like just who AND WHAT THEY ARE ...CHOOSE YOUR OWN WORDS HERE! N Word Please!

I believe Tavis was an important voice in Black America. I listend to his commentaries on the Tom Joyner Show and found them to be informative and insightful. He was fine until Obama came on the scene. Every opportunity he got he used it to Obama bash. No I don't think black people should vote for Obama just because he is black, but Smiley almost seemed like his job was to beat the drum of discontentment. It started to almost seem personal. We know no one transcends race but give the brother a chance. Smiley never seemed to use what he called "love language" when talking about Obama. He just seemed to too often shoot verbal daggers at him and Black America simply got sick of it.

Thanks JLR -- I "ditto" your remarks. Yes, in large unofficial scientific polls, we are sick of Tavis!!!

Looks like the Clinton-fanatics still don't get it, she isn't the nominee, she LOST, get over it, she was rebuked and all she has to show for it is $25 million in debt she is now begging for ya'll to help her pay. Help her, and, get on the McBush bandwagon like Smiley, since change is not something you desire.

Travis is human like the rest of us. I just feel he should take some time and scrutinize McCain and the white politicians as well. Obama is not preaching post racial he is a man running for President. Mr. Smiley needs to remember that during slavery their where people as gifted with journalism as he is that did not of the opportunity because they were slaves, and so forth but we live in a different time and change is a reality as is evident in Smiley fame and The fact that Barack Obama is a senator. It is like my aunt who died a few years ago and she was 104 and she would say to who is her mammy. In her life it meant mother to a lot of people but now it is offensive and rightly so. Sometime it is difficult to accept change and progress because we are so vested in our present reality, like white Americans in the segregated south getting use of Black people sitting next to them on the bus. If we did not utilize the change we could still be sitting on the back of the bus and some of us are in our heads.

Please tell me Tavis, what has your State of Black Union solved. NOTHING! Just a chance for for a bunch of so-called black leaders to talk and hear the adoring audience clap. Give me a break. I don't know who appointed you a black leader but you do not speak for me or others!

Booker T. Obama's cult members want to throw Tavis under the bus just like they threw Reverend Wright under the bus.

Barack Obama once called me "one of thest organizers of grassroots people in this country," and with that had to accept some challenges from some of my peers to better organize the people to actively and systematically get involved with the various internal public policy committee's if the campaign. Many people like myself that offered public criticisms of Obama's positions challenged me on th fact that I was on the outside looking, saying from the outside what I had not seen in the campaign while at the same time never attending ANY of the working committees where my concerns could have been addressed. Now I am engaged on a regular basis with the various campaign staff who deal with the processing if the issue of concern to me.

There is NO way in HELL Obama is gonna transcend race in the good old USA. Tonight on CNN, I saw a special from Tennessee, and the interviewer specifically asked whites what they thought of Obama, and you should have seen what most of those white folks were saying about Obama. He's a communist, a Muslim, he's racist, he's arrogant and of course they ALL bought up The Rev. and Michelle--called her racist too. Obama better hope the USA'S 'better angels' come out to vote, because these white folks weren't having ANY of that Harvard educated Christian stuff, with a black father and white mom, and the thing that was so sad is that MOST of them identified themselves as life-long Dems. There were only 2 white folks open-minded enough who said they were voting for Obama, and while the rest said they hated Bush, they said they would not dare trust the country to the 'likes' of Barack Hussein Obama. He faces HUGE obstacles because of race, and I am afraid those polls you see are NOT telling the truth. Sure he COULD win, but as I said, he better PRAY America's 'better angles' come out to vote. And finally, while I do feel that at first Tavis was right in that we as African-Americans Do need to hold ALL our elected officials accountable--even if they're black like US. However, Tavis went WAY off message, and let his personal feelings get in the way whatever those were. I still respect Tavis, but now it's not about HIM anymore. It's about what the McCain camp is doing TO Obama--look at those horrible ads which seem to be working, because Obama is falling in the polls now and if that wasn't enough, I NOW have friends who are growing increasingly angry at Obama because he's spending $20 million dollars plus to 'court' the Hispanic vote. I asked my friends, just WHO do you think Obama is gonna be POTUS of, Just Black folks? He can't and won't do that, and if he wants to spend $20 million 'courting' Hispanics and the Hispanic vote, then you guys better get over it and stop questioning it, because he KNOWS he has YOUR vote in the bag, but he desperately wants the Hispanic vote too, and is willing to spend $20 million dollars to GET that valued vote. Just some things to PONDER as this race between Obama and Horrible John McCain--the man too old, to ill-tempered and too ignorant to be POTUS--even though a lot of white folks would NOT under any circumstances vote for a BLACK man for president--they'd rather see the USA go completely down the toilet. Not that's something to be outraged about right there....

Wow!! I can't believe what I am reading. All of this Tavis backlash is unnecessary. Man...I guess black people are still gullible and haven't gained any wisdom over the past 150 years. People...WAKE UP!!! Don't be ashamed to hold your politicians accountable on issues that are important to you. And stop saying that, "Obama is not running as the President of just Black America, but the President of all America"....Everyone knows that!! This fact doesn't absolve him from addressing issues affecting the black community; even if he risks losing "working class white" democrats to McCain. The point is to address the issues - not ignore them.