Friday, September 5, 2008

Tavis Hosts Hater's Party



Tavis Smiley hosts Haters Party

By Thomas N. Taylor

If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. Tavis Smiley, an intelligent and once thought conscious Blackman with a world wide platform was on national TV coming from the floor of the historic 2008 Democratic convention hosting a hater’s party and serving generous portions of hater-aide with special guest, Drs Cornell West and Julianne Malveaux. They were all so animated and drunk on the stuff it was dispicable.

I’m really floored and disappointed because I’m still a fan of Tavis and gave him the benefit of the doubt in his rift with the Black Obama-nation. He had a good chance of redeeming himself by saying nothing at all, since he had nothing good to say about Senator Obama; but there he was unashamed and unapologetically wielding that bitter chastening rod still trying to force his own agenda on a man who clearly has demonstrated he knows what the hell he’s doing.

The bitter trio of West, Malveaux &Smiley said that they were “extremely disappointed” in Barack’s speech because he failed to talk about traditional Black stuff or acknowledge the roll history played in his getting to this point. They castigated him for not mentioning Dr King by name but instead relegating him to “A southern Baptist preacher.’ They praised Hillary Clinton for boldly invoking the name and words of Harriet Tubman. They were overjoyed by the presentation of Bill, race card playing, Clinton but they were “disappointed” in the history making man of the hour who risk assassination and loss of privacy and life as he knew it for himself and his family, to make it all possible.

If you want a real wake up call; trying calling the white agent that represents any ot these three finger pointers and ask how much it would cost for either one of them to show up at your business affair, church or graduation to tell you how much they owe to the King legacy? Dr. King wouldn't charge you a dime. That's why he died broke. Check out the hourly fee rate for Tavis or West, then we can talk. (lest I digress)

I was disappointed because what I thought were three intelligent insightful people; were blinded by jealous ego and failed to see the big picture but settled instead on concentrating on a small section of a brilliant portrait. The entire convention was Barack’s masterful thesis. Who do they think influenced and approved the musical faire? Who do they think OK’d Dr. Kings Children to speak along with John Lewis, the lone surviving speaker of that historic march on Washington? Who approved the video tribute to Dr. King? The entire day was a tribute to Dr. King's legacy but the final leg of this 4X4, four night race was ran brilliantly by Mr. Obama who took the baton and ran off into future history. He spoke boldly of "Marching" forward which doesn’t mean he’s not looking back; just not dwelling on it. And don't think that the use of the word marching was not without consciousness or intention. It's too bad that some of us can't appreciate this man's subtlety or fail to have patience with his pacing and timing as his race continues to unfold. Pay attention bitter people for a picture is more valuable than a thousand words. Can you see our guy out in front? Let us not be the instuments of his undoing and trip him up.

With all that’s at stake we all need to stay focused on the immediate future. Barack Obama’s goal was not to get to the political playoffs but to be President and win the championship. He’s going for the gold. This is no the time for victory speeches praising those who came before him. The job is not yet finished and the best way for him to pay the ultimate tribute to Dr. King and those who preceded us is not talk about it but be about it. Not quote Dr. King but be like Dr. King and live to update the dream.

The bitter trinity said that they liked all of the other statements that were made at Barack Obama’s party. The statements made by those who themselves had similar parties: John Kerry, Al Gore’s and Bill Clinton. But it was at Barack Obama’s party where these statements were made and possible, not theirs. Why do you think that is Bitter Three? The entire day was one enormous statement. Barack made sure that Dr. King's legacy had been well serviced before he took the floor. His part of the night was a different piece of the puzzle.

In the science and art of today's visual media, it's not what you say that counts most but what you see that ultimately carrys the greater impact. It's like people who always quote the bible and invoke the name of Christ, yet on any given day you'd be hard pressed to find a trace of evidence of either exhibited anywhere in their lives. If we can be about King's legacy we wouldn't have to talk about it so much because the proof would be in the pudding since Success leaves its own evidence.

Barack Obama is running for president of these United States. He has a strategic plan and he’s working it. (very well thank you) Don’t hate. Let’s work hard and celebrate while we keep our eyes on the ultimate prize.

Meanwhile; my family and I will be forwarding our condolences to Brother Tavis and those consumed by hate and envy of Barack Obama's success void of their blessings; for it is written that jealousy is crueler than the grave. Let us pray. Our father...

TNT