by Sam Winston

The event to take place in New Orleans this weekend has gotten the most attention recently because of the tiff between host Tavis Smiley and Barack Obama over whether or not Obama should attend. The backlash on Smiley’s rejection of Obama’s offer to send his wife Michelle in his place while he campaigns in Ohio and Texas reflects another one of the inner-tensions in the black community and among its leaders over Obama’s bid for the presidency.
Smiley’s problems started early this month after he invited Obama to speak at the State of the Black Union, an event Smiley founded nine years ago. Held annually during Black History Month and broadcast by C-Span, the event gathers a Who’s Who of black intellectuals, pundits, activists, entertainers and politicians to discuss and brainstorm about where black America is and where it is headed. This year’s topic is “Reclaiming Our Democracy, Deciding Our Future.”
Below the fold are a list of people that will be speaking at the event, including several Louisiana and New Orleans figures.
Dr. C.S. Gordon, Jr.
Mayor Ray Nagin
Norman Francis
Michael Eric Dyson
Pastor Melvin Jones
Arlene Holt Baker
Darron Boyce
Cornel West
Susan E. Rice
Eddie Glaude
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
Naomi Churchill Earp
Rev. Al Sharpton
Bishop Paul S. Morton
Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu
State Sen. Cleo Fields
Mayor Cory Booker
Nicole C. Lee
Herreast Harrison
Robert Franklin
Dillard student leader*
Donna Brazile
Bishop T.D. Jakes*
Angela Glover Blackwell
Marc Morial
Michael Steele
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr