Dear Tavis Smiley:
This letter is long
overdue. I want to say that I have been an admirer of you and what you have
stood for in the Black community for as long as I can remember. I was a huge admirer
of the annual State of the Black Union Addresses in which you created as a
venue to get our voices and issues heard nationally and politically. On that
show, you created a forum/platform that showcased African-centered scholars and
Black political elite who otherwise were rarely, if ever featured in mainstream
media outlets. I want to say that I have always appreciated your outspokenness
and your willingness to speak the truth to us, whether we liked it or not. You
always understood that WE NEEDED IT! I
appreciate you being the exact image of a strong, intelligent, dignified, educated,
articulate, business owning Black man that so many Black women all over the
country instill in their sons to be like as they grow into men.
I want to also say
thank you for continuing to be a leader and not a follower. I am very
disappointed at the negative reactions/retaliations you have received for
merely doing what is supposed to be done with any elected political official
and this includes president of the United States, which is to present your
community and/or political itemized agenda.
Since Obama has been president, the Jewish community, the
Hispanic/Latino community, and the Homosexual community have all done just this and
without any negative backlash. The president heard their agenda and he acted
on them. However, when you and Dr. West attempted to push one of the late
Dr. Martin Luther King’s agenda concerning the poor in our nation, you both
received ugly and unwarranted backlash from the Black community at large as well as from some of the same so-called Civil Rights leaders who were regulars at you union addresses.
I was really bothered
by the way you unceremoniously left the Tom Joyner Morning Show. I hated
hearing about the negative backlash you received on that show all because many
of his listeners felt that you were not being fair to the president because you
offered him the very same challenges that those previously mentioned
racial/ethnic groups offered him. I want to say that I believe in what you are
doing. I am disappointed in the hypocrisy and what appears to be this
purposeful choice in the black community to treat the president like a beloved
celebrity instead of the President of the United States.
I will close by saying
keep up the good work. You were there helping, encouraging, and educating in
the black community long before this president and you will be here long after
this presidency is over. Thank you for
not saying, “To hell with this!” If you have, I don't blame you.
A longtime admirer and
supporter.
Sincerely,
Marico
Rivers, MSW-LCDC
2 comments:
Rico,
There are none so blind as those who don't want to see. Thus, each to his own.
http://wattree.blogspot.com/2014/02/these-are-kind-of-black-men-who-sold.html
I hear ya, brotha! I also see you, brotha. You should also understand that there is enough room for conversation, agreements, disagreements, picking of sides and even being led blindly (your words) for all who chose to participate. When it is all said and done all of the people we are rooting for need to show some results.
Post a Comment