My open letter to Tavis Smiley and Reverend Al Sharpton:
Reverend Al Sharpton and Tavis Smiley, if I may, let me talk to you for a moment. I highly respect the work that each of you have done in our community. As they say in church, you are worthy to be praised. But as I listened to you on the radio last night, I became infuriated and embarrassed that men of your caliber would stoop so low as to argue over absolutely nothing in public. Both of you are too grown and sophisticated to air your dirty laundry over nationally syndicated radio airwaves. I am saddened by your ridiculousness.
Mr. Smiley, as I am sure you may deny this, we all know that you were feeling a little disheartened when former Senator Obama did not make an appearance at your yearly State of the Black Union when invited in 2008. Since that time, you have been a little hard on President Obama and his tactics concerning Black America. If I may make a suggestion, lighten up on the President. He may not be the best at what he is doing but at least he is trying.
Also Mr. Smiley, we all know that one of your main platforms is Black America, which, as a prominent black man in America, this is to be expected. Despite your platform, you must remember that, unlike the President, you are just a regular man. You are not in charge of the entire free world, making decisions and speaking for every nationality here in this country. President Obama is, in essence, a representation of everyone in America. There is no possible way that he can make his main platform that of Black America. That would be unfair and irrational to every other nationality that lives here in our country. For you to even insinuate that President Obama is not doing enough for Black America is unreasonable and disheartening. President Obama has to work for the good of the people, not just black people.
Now, as for you Reverend Sharpton, I am shocked that you let the foolish argument between you and Mr. Smiley even take place on your radio show. I do understand that you felt that Mr. Smiley misinterpreted your words, but did you really have to reprimand him on national radio? As a subjective listener, I felt that you did not, as you proclaimed over and over on your broadcast, let Mr. Smiley speak his peace. It is only fair to let your guest speak, without speaking over him.
Also, just like Mr. Smiley seems to be a little emotional over President Obama's missed appearance at the 2008 State of the Black Union, I think you were a little emotional over not receiving an invitation to the conference that Mr. Smiley is planning to have in March. I think you are both too mature for such egotistical confusion.
After saying all of this, I must ask, what were you arguing over anyway? Black America? President Obama? What was the real purpose of that entire broadcast? In my opinion, it was just unnecessary confusion. It lacked two things—Purpose and The Youth.
As I have said and will say time and time again, I respect and love both of you but I think that you are the wrong men for the job at hand. I have a suggestion that really should be considered before you fight for your next cause or start your next argument. I think that both of you, along with Michael Eric Dyson, Tom Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Baisden, Jessie Jackson, and all other prominent elders, should sit down and devise a plan to establish a youth counsel to handle the issues and concerns of Black America. The youth are the only ones who can truly make a difference.
I am 23 years old and I beg of my elders to gather us together and give us direction. You, Reverend Sharpton and Mr. Smiley, are not going to be here forever. If I may be frank, you do not have the ability to make a real change in today's America. You did your job and your time has now passed. Because of the diligent work of our forefathers, we were able to gain the possibility of a black president in America. But it was votes cast by the youth that really placed Barack Obama in the Presidency Seat. Walking on the groundwork constructed by our elders, we (the youth) made amazing history.
I truly believe that the youth are born with innate knowledge and ability pertinent to their generation that their elders do not have and cannot learn. Those in the black community who are 35 and under have this knowledge and ability and we need the platform to share it. We need your help.
So instead of arguing about who said what and who did what, I think that you all should to get together and build your future. I am your future. Those in my generation are your future. We are in need of direction so that, when it comes to matters of our community, CNN, MSNBC, and FOXNEWS can come to us for commentary, not the freedom fighters of yesteryears. Although I respect and care for people such as you Reverend Sharpton, I do not think that you should remain one the top voices in Black America. I think that you should pass your genius on to the younger generation. You need us and we need you. Please stop the bickering and let's work on our future.
Thank you.
Concerned Youth
Mr. Smiley, as I am sure you may deny this, we all know that you were feeling a little disheartened when former Senator Obama did not make an appearance at your yearly State of the Black Union when invited in 2008. Since that time, you have been a little hard on President Obama and his tactics concerning Black America. If I may make a suggestion, lighten up on the President. He may not be the best at what he is doing but at least he is trying.
Also Mr. Smiley, we all know that one of your main platforms is Black America, which, as a prominent black man in America, this is to be expected. Despite your platform, you must remember that, unlike the President, you are just a regular man. You are not in charge of the entire free world, making decisions and speaking for every nationality here in this country. President Obama is, in essence, a representation of everyone in America. There is no possible way that he can make his main platform that of Black America. That would be unfair and irrational to every other nationality that lives here in our country. For you to even insinuate that President Obama is not doing enough for Black America is unreasonable and disheartening. President Obama has to work for the good of the people, not just black people.
Now, as for you Reverend Sharpton, I am shocked that you let the foolish argument between you and Mr. Smiley even take place on your radio show. I do understand that you felt that Mr. Smiley misinterpreted your words, but did you really have to reprimand him on national radio? As a subjective listener, I felt that you did not, as you proclaimed over and over on your broadcast, let Mr. Smiley speak his peace. It is only fair to let your guest speak, without speaking over him.
Also, just like Mr. Smiley seems to be a little emotional over President Obama's missed appearance at the 2008 State of the Black Union, I think you were a little emotional over not receiving an invitation to the conference that Mr. Smiley is planning to have in March. I think you are both too mature for such egotistical confusion.
After saying all of this, I must ask, what were you arguing over anyway? Black America? President Obama? What was the real purpose of that entire broadcast? In my opinion, it was just unnecessary confusion. It lacked two things—Purpose and The Youth.
As I have said and will say time and time again, I respect and love both of you but I think that you are the wrong men for the job at hand. I have a suggestion that really should be considered before you fight for your next cause or start your next argument. I think that both of you, along with Michael Eric Dyson, Tom Joyner, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Baisden, Jessie Jackson, and all other prominent elders, should sit down and devise a plan to establish a youth counsel to handle the issues and concerns of Black America. The youth are the only ones who can truly make a difference.
I am 23 years old and I beg of my elders to gather us together and give us direction. You, Reverend Sharpton and Mr. Smiley, are not going to be here forever. If I may be frank, you do not have the ability to make a real change in today's America. You did your job and your time has now passed. Because of the diligent work of our forefathers, we were able to gain the possibility of a black president in America. But it was votes cast by the youth that really placed Barack Obama in the Presidency Seat. Walking on the groundwork constructed by our elders, we (the youth) made amazing history.
I truly believe that the youth are born with innate knowledge and ability pertinent to their generation that their elders do not have and cannot learn. Those in the black community who are 35 and under have this knowledge and ability and we need the platform to share it. We need your help.
So instead of arguing about who said what and who did what, I think that you all should to get together and build your future. I am your future. Those in my generation are your future. We are in need of direction so that, when it comes to matters of our community, CNN, MSNBC, and FOXNEWS can come to us for commentary, not the freedom fighters of yesteryears. Although I respect and care for people such as you Reverend Sharpton, I do not think that you should remain one the top voices in Black America. I think that you should pass your genius on to the younger generation. You need us and we need you. Please stop the bickering and let's work on our future.
Thank you.
Concerned Youth
5 comments
I love your writing. It is very intelligent, analytical, and well-organized. You also make very thought-provoking points on certain issues in Black America. Although I am very outspoken about black issues, I am not always up to date on current events so I look to your site among others to keep me aware. Keep up the great work,sis. :-)
Again you are on point.
While it is true the youth is our future and play a very important part in the progression of our society, the past and still present guard still play apart. So lets keep with the love and work together.
Thank you very much for doing what you do. Please do not stop
Wow. I'm not going to lie. . . I don't look at any of those aforementioned people as fit to lead our generation, with the exception, maybe, of Mr. Dyson as he is the only one, I believe, truly trying to educate for the sake of education. And our (black youth) vote this past election didn't put Obama in office and I'm sure I don't need to say who did. To think that he would work solely in the interest of Blacks in Amerrika is complete nonsense; he would probably be hung literally and figuratively. Nonetheless, I appreciate the letter for I knew nothing of the nonsense that took place between these two advocates of themselves. I still don't know why Mr. Sharpton is a representative for Black America and what has he done for us besides putting his foot in his mouth every time he speaks? In addition, something about that dude spirit rubs me the wrong way. . . I must digress.
Huey:
It is always nice to see conscious readers. Our dialog is very important
Curious- Who's vote would you say put him in office? By the why she did not say The Black Youth Vote, She said The Youth.
@Yve--thank you!
@Olvan--thank you. Yes, I do think that the youth need to work hand in hand with the elders, we must work TOGETHER. But I do think that the youth need to lead (with direct guidance from our forefathers)
@Huey--Who put Obama in presidency may be the the question...and yes Rev. Sharpton is a little different...
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