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Feb
18

 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


Comments:
joan on February 23rd, 2008 at 1:58 am #

Thank goodness, Obama decided to “stay the course.” The show is being promoted so, so much by cspan because cspan is pro-clinton and is hoping that African Americans will forget the negative Martin Luther King, Jr., “could get anything done comments without LBJ-US Pres.” (Hillary should really be checked because she did not vote for civil rights in the 1960’s, look at her own writings on her life - “I was a Goldwater girl, all the way down to my cowgirl boots.” She supported Goldwater AGAINST Johnson and his civil rights efforts!!! Check out the Clintons’ moderate stances. They are not for African Americans, unless there is something in it for them. Unfortunately, some of us TAVIS SMILEY included, are more in search of “fame and fortune,” as he rides the backs of African Americans to the “cross.” I really am angry that this is going on. No way would Tavis ever do what he is doing to another race, PERIOD. He knows that he can get by for a while “messing” with BObama. He knows that this is exactly what “directs the souls of white folk.” He is very much a “kindred” spirit to Juan Williams on Fox News-Sunday. Dag, even Bill Crystal comes to BObama’s camp to balance JWilliams out. So, I am proud that African Americans, here, and whites, blacks, browns, yellows, reds, etc., globally, sees the “unity” in BObama and those of us closer by and can smell the scent of Tavis, are able to point him out for what he is, as “Bob Johnson (who recently has been characterized, and rightfully so, as an idiot) fired Tavis for dissing BET and secretly taking a story to ABC.
Tavis time is over. Who in his/her right mind would even listen to that lying bunch of clintons, besides Tavis. HECK, HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING HIM?

Matthew on February 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 am #

We do too much talking and debating. Martin luther King and Malcolm X died knowing that we would possibly still be dreaming and sleeping on reality. Their is race issues that need to be addressed, but if we are just clapping our hands, singing songs, and praying for change hoping it will happen in the hands of the oppressor were living in vein. We have to press which means not looking for opportunities to pull the race card, but getting to the root of the problem. We have a soft type of approach a look at me and give me credit philosophy. Change is needed but that change is needed for the minds of us caught up in being Kings without Dominion, the same way of life without purpose. As well as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X needs credit as well for his well thought out effective approach of nationalism if you study world economics and what is happening around the world today it is the only way to social equality as well as Martin Luther Kings approach to a Democratic freedom in terms of respect and dignity. Action, Action, Action or we will be continually represented as products of shame for sale.

Phillip Jackson on March 9th, 2008 at 1:00 am #

Did this event teach one Black child to read? If not, it was a waste of time. If so, we need to do more of it. Educate or Die!

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