Tavis Smiley and Cornel West: “Poverty Tour†Criticizes Obama
August 14, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Ministry Today, News, Politics
Broadcaster Tavis Smiley and Princeton professor Cornel West’s 18-city “Poverty Tour: A Call to Conscience,†is nearing an end, but the controversy is far from over. The tour was implemented to focus President Barack Obama’s attention on the plight of America’s poor people—particularly African Americans, whose jobless rate exceeds 15 percent.
Recent figures show that the overall national unemployment rate hovers at 9.1 percent and at 15.9 percent for African Americans, almost double the 8.1 percent for whites, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
In an interview on ABC’s Nightline, Smiley stated, “I know what the president is up against. But I think too often he compromises, too often he capitulates. I think the Republicans know that. I think they laugh when he’s not around.”
West, noting that the president has a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Oval Office, said King “weeps when he sees poor and working people suffering and no fundamental focus. It is very clear that President Obama caves in over and over again. He punts on first down. If you’re in a foxhole with him, you’re in trouble because he wants to compromise. He doesn’t have the kind of backbone he ought to have.â€
Additional news stories:
http://www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/08/cornel-west-obama-punts-on-the-first-down/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/12/tavis-smiley-i-dont-get-i_n_925920.html
What are your thoughts?
Is there a blanket “acceptance†of President Obama by African Americans? Have we missed the boat of Obama’s weaknesses? Do you think PRESIDENT OBAMA IS IGNORING POVERTY? Blog about it here!
Comments
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My comment is that I am saddened by what this “controversy” is creating. This open criticism of President Obama by two African American men is quite disturbing, yet it lives up to what is said about us as a people – the crab in the barrel syndrome.
While I may not agree with every decision President Obama has made, I do understand the pressure he is under. He cannot and does not run the USA alone, a fact that I would think both Smiley and West know. In addition, I believe that the very same MLK bust in the President’s office also “weeps” as he watches two African American men of high regard and esteem openly target and criticize another African American man, who happens to be the President of the United States of America and that the very thing he died for is being committed amongst those he defended in his cause.
I could go on and on…but I won’t.
Yes we should voice our opinions of the President, but as they had stated the Republicans and others will say it is true two high powered Blacks have said it too. Mr West has made terrible remarks about the President, his color and other things. I would like to see how the both of them would handle President Obama’s duties if they were President, Mr West would never get the opportunity, but what would Tavis Smiley do?
It seems that every other ethnic group can disagree with each other except for Black people. Why? If two well known White people (or Hispanic/Asian, etc.) criticize a political leader of their own ethnicity no one says that it’s disturbing and that it shouldn’t be done.
We must pray for our leaders and show them respect that’s a no brainer but to constantly be up in arms that other well known/high powered Blacks are voicing “negative” opinions about the President is juvenile. Let’s pick sense from nonsense and tackle the real issues of poverty, poor health, etc.,
I am still disappointed that our President is without honor by a large number of people. I am happy to be a resident of the USA, not that I had a choice, however, I am embarrassed when I travel to foreign countries or when I am with my friends of foreign countries. It is obvious by them that President Obama is disrespected and it is not fair to him. As I heard folks say, “it is easy to judge from the benches”. Have you ever gone to a sporting event and someone nearby is shouting at the players to make a certain play/move? I must commend President Obama because I believe he knew what he would come up against when he took this office, therefore, he has to be a man of courage. Let us pray for our President that he listens/obeys the voice of The Creator God of the Universe. When people speak against him, it shows the ignorancy in them. Anyway!
I am ashamed of what these two african american men are doing, I hope they know, that Dr. Martin Luther King would not have done what they have done against another african american, we all have chances to do whatever we want to in life, why not have a bus tour in support of the president and raising awareness of the tea party and what they really stand for! I really like to know who sponsored that bus tour, where was the bus tour for years proverty has been around not just when president Obama went into office! Get real fellas!
I do not have a problem with either Smiley or West criticizing President Obama. My problem with this poverty tour is that they act like poverty just began on January 20,2009. Where was this poverty tour during the terms of Presidents Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II. Please can someone help me to understand when did poverty actually begin in this country.
everything that is going on has been going on for years.shame on west&smily they should be trying to help the president not hurt him are his image.they are acting like field “niggers” and I don’t say that word.what is wrong with people.The president is trying to help all americans,what ever color they are.I pray for him and west&smily,most of all I pray for our country the usa.
Yes, people have a right to their opinion and since Travis and Cornell have expressed theirs’ it is right I express mine. If their concern was truthfully about the state of the poor blacks in America, they seemingly would have hosted a tour years ago. But, from a birdeyes point of view this is not their problem…It is President Obama! He has not called them for advise, allowed them to become his advisors and they are offended. So, like small minded people they are taking this opportunity to steal of recognition. How sad, the poor we will have with always says the scripture…and sadly we will have some haters also. Just like Maxzine Waters, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II never came to Watts, but she wants President Obama to come…racism is alive even in family we call the black race.
I am disturbed by the lack of Respect being exhibited by Prof. Cornell West and Tavis Smiley to our President Mr. Obama. Instead of adding solutions and trying to help our President they want to go on a 18 city tour of “Poverty” to do what….tell folks something they already know? We know that African Americans make up over 16% of the 14 million people out of work, which is the highest in over 27 years. I’m tired of Maxine Waters, Tavis Smily, and Cornell West acting like they have all the answers but offer no real solutions that benefit all americans across the board. Its not just about us(Black Folks) but every American deserves those same rights to live an abundant life. Start using your influence to help all Americans and stop wasting time being critical of a Job or Position that you have never held or ever will hold!!
Tavis and Cornel shut up! Just shut the hell up! You two are doing just what crackers want you to do. Join the band wagon of Obama tongue slayers. It has already been established that our President is the most disrespected President this country has had and the office of the President is disrespected simply because of the color of his skin, not his chracter. And these two join in as well. It appears my President Obama is always being sliced up by the Republican party and critical niggeroes. This man is doing the best he can up against a steel wall. I truly love West for his brain, he has always turned me on. But right now I ain’t liking him talking against my President…and Tavis…just shut up.
I am actually not surprise of this particular type of behavior from West or Smiley. We see it everyday so many others making the accusations without any solutions themselves. Just to shine some light on the issue our family lived in poverty in the 70’s and the 80’s as I grew up. Poverty in America is nothing unfamiliar and definitely not new but why is this President catching the slack from a known issue for decades. When I say that we are our own worst enemy, West and Smiley proves my point by being the House Negroes they are acting like. President Obama has enough to deal with rather than to be sold to the highest bidder by a people he believed he could actually count on.
Hello good people of America. I have just read a letter that broadcaster Tom Joner wrote spearating himself from Tavis Smiley and Professor Cornell West which I thought was a letter to the point. I am really saddned by the actions of the two men who are suppose to be men of character representing some discencey and astuteness of Black People. To here what they are doing to try and destroy our President Barack Obama is so down right ugly, disrespectful for the president and the office and for black peope as a whole. Just as some of you have stated, poverty has been around for eons and it will probably be here when we are dead and gone. Tavis and Cornell were nowhere to be found when the former presidents were in office. I did not here any derogatory statements about the sitting presidents from either of them. I do believe because the president had not ask for them to be in his cabinet or call on them for advise, they have become bitter and angry so now all of sudden it’s about the poverty and unemployment of black people. What they are doing is just an excuse to get back at the president and of course they would not in a million years be able to do what President Obama is doing right now. I do pray for our president and his family that God will keep him safe and help him with all the diffcult decisions he has to make. And bless the opposition that they would turn from their wicked evil ways and turn their lives over to God which I know some of them don’t care about God or anyone else just themselves and how to get President Obama out of office. As a matter of fact, I haven’t heard neither Cornell or Tavis speak out against the Tea Party people who are so negative in their thinking. I salute my president for what he is doing. The Republican Party cannot get under his skin because he is appointed by God so they are trying everything they possibly can to rattle him.