It’s already time stamped just click play
Where is Tavis Smiley and Cornell West?
- Thread starter Dr. Truth
- Start date
It’s already time stamped just click play
This thread has been a good read. Different view points, but I take issue with folks that say this is a thread "hating" on Cornell West and Tavis Smiley. The primary issue for me is that both men knew they were being used at the time as black voices that didn't agree with President Obama. They knew that they only reason they got airtime was because they were perceived as anti-Obama black folks. THIS is the reason I lost respect for them. The struggle for black folks in this country has been long and hard. Obama lead the largest violent revolution free wealth transfer from rich to poor in human history with the ACA and its coverage of poor, rural white, urban minority and lower to middle income Americans of all ethnic groups. This was real progress and change. But Dr. West and Tavis Smiley wanted the change done on their terms which wasn't going to be possible legislatively. Republicans fought against the ACA tooth and nail and it primarily benefits their OWN ethnic group. How was a targeted program for black Americans going to pass? Has any administration passed legislation that would help just African Americans besides the voting rights act? No. So, the criticism that Dr. West and Tavis Smiley through at him was solely to keep their names in the media and they knew they were playing the role of crabs in a barrel, but they chose that over actually helping the brother advance the struggle. That is My issue with them. Dr. West still speaks now, and criticizes Trump, but he never should have played the role he played with President Obama. That moment was just too important to our history in this country.
They migrated to the ADOS thread
Hmmmm...well that's certainly one way of looking at it. Since you seem like a thinking brother, how about considering this: Legislation that's aimed specifically at helping black people and the injustices we've always faced is perhaps the heaviest legislative lift this country will ever consider. It's completely out of the question on the right and considered an obscure pipe dream on the left. Neither of those views make it wrong. It would be the first real step in a direction that could lead this country to TRUE greatness. How do we know West and Smiley weren't the first serious step in that direction? The revolution has to start somewhere. Perhaps they knew they were being used and would take hits to their reputations by criticizing the first black president but thought it was worth it if it woke black people up and allowed them to realize that changes that enrich everyone don't improve the black conditions and don't usher in any meaningful justice. The people on the front line of a battle know they're expendable and they're willing to make that sacrifice in hopes that eventually if you throw enough cannon fodder into the fray you just may turn the tide and win.
If people actually thought in that way, I would see part of your point. People rarely think in terms of plots or long term strategies. Normally people make point by point decisions and apply some sort of rationale post to create a narrative about "why" they did something. In the case of Dr. West and Tavis Smiley, they weren't thinking of themselves as canon fodder for a broader movement. Tavis Smiley was upset because President Obama wouldn't attend his State of the Black Union conference when white candidates would. Dr. West saw himself as a gate keeper of sorts to the black intelligensia and didn't appreciate when Obama didn't meet with him on his terms in the run up to the 2008 election. Both men saw themselves as the public face of the black American struggle and wanted that acknowledgement from Obama who was, by default, the most relevant public black American post 2008. They had worked for years building their brands and influence just to have their position and relative authority usurped by an new and unknown politician who didn't give them the public acknowledgement for their efforts. So, they went against his Presidency because that is how people can be. They were used to be THE voice, THE authority of all issues related to black America and the lost it. So, I don't see it as them having this vast forethought on the struggle. I see it as more banal. They were jealous that they lost their spot on top and did anything they could to stay on top. With Trump, their are new younger and even more progressive voices now that the media turns towards Dr. West and Tavis Smiley aren't getting those calls (Tavis due to the sexual assault stuff). They contributed to black America and the discussion of complex issues, but when the "struggle to get there" turned into "a moment has arrived", both men played the part of "but what about us" rather than continuing to push us forward. They just weren't ready for when the movement turned to progress. Weirdly Al Sharpton was almost the only one who was.
Yeah, I can agree with this. They both could have saved face though if they had considered or tried to hide behind my theory. Now they just look like a couple of has-beens with sour grapes.
this dude really said there was no systemic racism elsewhere
just because they didnt call it jim crowe
The haters were Tavis and Cornell. They ranted nonstop about what Obama needed to do, well dammit Trump needs to do shit too. Speak up.
You challenged him about that congressional vote and he evaporated and never answered
Smiley's been laying low since PBS axed him for sexual misconduct and nobody really wants to hear shit from the gap toothed, wild hair, undertaker suit wearing, phony fuck Cornell West. Add to that both of the bitches are probably scared to take on Trump for fear one one his crazy ass MAGA supporters might put a bullet in their ass. 
Sums up my thinking bro
Dunno but man please leave them two sambo mfs in whatever dank place they in
Needs to be from a time to kill.. Brah
Race Matters was standard reading in my house growing up. I still have it now in my library/office. Now, Gifted Hands? That shit is probably in a landfill in DeKalb somewhere. Fuck that
Smiley's been laying low since PBS axed him for sexual misconduct and nobody really wants to hear shit from the gap toothed, wild hair, undertaker suit wearing, phony fuck Cornell West. Add to that both of the bitches are probably scared to take on Trump for fear one one his crazy ass MAGA supporters might put a bullet in their ass.
I wouldn’t say “beneath” him but more like it wasn’t his audience. Cornell West’s (and Henry Louis Gates) principle audience has always been white liberals. In particular, explaining the “black condition” to white libs. Hence the vitriol he directed at Obama and Ta-Nehisi Coates. They were taking his spot.
I wouldn’t say “beneath” him but more like it wasn’t his audience. Cornell West’s (and Henry Louis Gates) principle audience has always been white liberals. In particular, explaining the “black condition” to white libs. Hence the vitriol he directed at Obama and Ta-Nehisi Coates. They were taking his spot.
Could you Imagine the shit storm West would have caused talking shit about Obama and Coates while working at a HBCU?
If whites are using another black person as racial cover, you have to be careful calling them a criminal. A black person promoting a white candidate and attacking the black candidate is what got Tavis Smiley in trouble. You will know this person is off limits when they overly promote them on TV.
They brought these allegations of sexual predation against him to attack his credibility. Trump is another red flag, normally a white person accusing somebody black of a crime opens up an investigation and that person being led off in handcuffs. Here his affairs are exposed along with the payoffs and lawyers office is raided. This is similar to what happened to Tavis Smiley definitely suspicious
These schemes have exploded with the rapid change in demographics exposing wealth disparity.
Another scheme is making wealthy in our community athletes, rappers, entertainers, and other less educated people that will blow their money while people like me who can build/patent things are blocked. I think this is what happened to Byron Allen. I plan to start rapping and doing ignorant shit to attract their investments and capital.
They brought these allegations of sexual predation against him to attack his credibility. Trump is another red flag, normally a white person accusing somebody black of a crime opens up an investigation and that person being led off in handcuffs. Here his affairs are exposed along with the payoffs and lawyers office is raided. This is similar to what happened to Tavis Smiley definitely suspicious
These schemes have exploded with the rapid change in demographics exposing wealth disparity.
Another scheme is making wealthy in our community athletes, rappers, entertainers, and other less educated people that will blow their money while people like me who can build/patent things are blocked. I think this is what happened to Byron Allen. I plan to start rapping and doing ignorant shit to attract their investments and capital.
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At first I thought she was just a fraud that found a lane as a black proxy for the white power structure (even if she knows it exists based on her racial discrimination lawsuit).
But now, I think she is a CIA MK Asset.
I'm debating if I should put a thread about paperclip, mkultra, mockingbird and others. So Kats can put it together and see how this media and people you see on TV and all forms of media are all working in cahoots!!
It is about time you should do it because it is obvious that most of these dudes still believe in Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny.
No doubt!!
Can’t wait on that thread drop!
I'll rap with you on the PM..
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