Black Delusion – When Hatred Wears a Black Face

Black Delusion Headerby Benjamin T. Moore, Jr.

Black Delusion – When Hatred Wears A Black Face

Bill Maher hosting Politically Incorrect

Bill Maher hosting Politically Incorrect

I first became aware of Tavis Smiley back in the late 90’s when Bill Maher was doing his show – “Politically Incorrect.” Whenever we see a Black face on televsion that is not in some comedic role, but is present to speak for and represent a Black point of view, I tend to pay attention.

The format of the show was a topical panel discussion, with a diverse group of guest. On the night in question, somehow the subject of African Slavery came up. One of the white male guest made the assertion that Slavery benefited Black people. As you might imagine, the hairs on the back of my neck snapped to attention and I sat up. I wanted Tavis to do one of two things or possibly both! I wanted him to first, knock this comment out of the park. It was like a slow ball pitched right over the center of the plate. “Swing for the fences Tavis!” Second, it would have warmed the cockles of my heart and put a smile on my face if Tavis had jumped from his seat and begun whipping some Ass right on national television!

Neither of those things happened. Instead of dissecting that comment with an insight bred of the experiences of our culture, Tavis chose instead to mug for the camera. He looked shocked as though he could not believe what he’d just heard. Wrong response! I was finished, through, done with Mr. Smiley from that point on.

State of the Black Union

State Of The Black Union

State of the Black Union – Annual symposium put on by Tavis Smiley to discuss issues of concern to Black America.

Mr. Smiley introduced himself to me again, some years later with his “State of the Black Union” project. The reason I watched was because of the guest roster. Mr. Smiley had managed to put together an impressive array of impressive guests from various segments of society who presented their views. It was intelligent, informative and it was well done. I began to soften my view on Mr. Smiley, but he remained on probation.

It was at these annual “State of the Black Union” symposiums that I was exposed to Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. It was a pleasure to hear Black Ph.Ds articulate the issues and concerns of Black people in America. They made my heart smile. I had no idea whom Alexis de Tocqueville was or what he wrote. However, – as is oft the case – Cornel West quoting from some long dead French philosopher made him sound like a genius! The reality is, he might as well have been quoting the janitor down the hall. But he sounded good.

Cast of the TJMS

Cast of the TJMS when Tavis was a contributor

Tavis Smiley connected with Tom Joyner of the Tom Joyner in the Morning Show. Mr. Joyner is probably one of the best known and most listened to Black Radio Personalities. His show is syndicated all across this nation. If you’re Black and you’re driving to work in the morning with your radio on, chances are it’s tuned into the TJMS broadcast. Tavis began appearing as a weekly contributor offering “timely commentary” on the days issues.

Trouble In Paradise

When author Toni Morrison said that Bill Clinton was the “first Black President,” we knew what she was getting at, but evidently some people took her literally. Evidently, Tavis and Cornel West were two such people. I say this because their loyalty to the “Clinton brand” – don’t get me wrong, I first became a millionaire on paper under President Clinton, but George Bush dialed that back a bit – has surpassed all rhyme or reason!

President Bill Clinton

President Bill Clinton

Were the policies of President Clinton beneficial to Black people? Absolutely! However, they were also beneficial to white people. Yes, rich white people got a lot richer under President Clinton. You may recall the “Dotcom Boom?” That wasn’t from a lot of minorities and Black people opening businesses in “Silicon Valley.” Bill Clinton was a good President and one of the reasons Republicans hated him so, was because his policies and the success they brought to the country showed Republican policies to be a lie. The National Debt was on it’s way to being paid off in approximately 15 years and we had surpluses.

Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton

Then came George W. Bush and all of that went away. When Hillary Clinton ran for the office of President, she was a known quantity to not just Black people but to a majority of Americans. She was loved by Democrats and hated by many Republicans. A lot of Black people threw their support behind Hillary… up until Barack Obama won Iowa. That changed everything. When Black people saw that white people would actually vote for Barack Obama, many of us pivoted and threw our support behind his historic candidacy.

Breaking Up Is Hard – For Some – To Do

The irony is, it was enlightened white people in a part of this Country where you might least expect to find them – Iowa – that showed the rest of this nation – Black people included – the way! The result was, that those Black leaders who felt that they had inroads into a Clinton presidency, suddenly found themselves starting from square one with everyone else. Some of them did not take this well. Tavis Smiley signalled his unease about this paradigm shift in his comments and weekly commentary on the TJMS broadcasts.

When he hosted his annual “State of the Black Union symposium” that year, he invited then candidate Obama. Candidate Obama opted not to show for clearly strategic reasons. He did offer to send his wife, Michelle Obama. Tavis threw a “hissy-fit” and refused his offer. Those of us who are politically astute, understood that candidate Obama was running to be President of all these United States. He was facing slurs and innuendos designed to make white people feel that he would be just the President of Black people. The optics of his being involved with a symposium which had featured Min. Louis Farrakhan, not once but several times, would not have been helpful.

Cornel West and President Obama during happier times.

Cornel West and President Obama during happier times.

Cornel West seemed to understand the political dynamics and he did in fact campaign for and with Senator Obama. His falling out with the President – according to West – was caused because he did not receive tickets to the inaugural celebrations. A slight? An oversight? Who knows? His explanation for the genesis of his dogged criticisms of President Obama stem from him getting his feelings hurt because he wasn’t given tickets! Really? Had he been given tickets, I suppose everything would be just dandy now?

Un-Anointed And Self-Appointed

Smiley and West

Tavis Smiley and Cornel West – The New Odd Couple?

We find ourselves today with brothers Smiley and West on a mission to critique any and everything President Obama does. They are struggling desperately to make themselves relevant to the on-going conversation in this nation on race, minority issues and issues specific to the Black community. So determined was Tavis Smiley to make himself the designated “watchdog” of President Obama’s policies, it led to his leaving the Tom Joyner in the Morning Show. The audience wasn’t feeling it and frankly? Tavis was embarrassing himself.

Tavis Smiley

Un-Anointed, Self-Appointed Presidential Watchdog

There is a difference between constructive criticism and criticism that comes from the petty frustration of not having gotten one’s way. The majority of the American people – based on these latest election results – know that President Obama has been doing everything within his power to make things better in these United States for all Americans. Further we know that he has had to fight an unprecedented Republican opposition, who’s stated objective was to make him a one term President… even if they had to destroy our nation in the process! When President Obama’s policies help poor white people, they help poor Black people too. When out of work white people get jobs, out of work Black people get jobs.

Black Delusion

I have been Black for these past 55 years. I do not recall in my lifetime, ever being invited to, or ever hearing about a secret meeting of Black people wherein we vote on and elect our approved Black leaders and spokesmen. If this has happened, I did not get my invitation. For my white readers, pay close attention. Black people have no official Black spokesmen or leaders… well, that is up until 2008 when we and the rest of these United States elected President Obama. The irony? The only official Black leader and spokesperson happens to be the officially elected leader of these United States. Thus, the leader of Black people, is also the leader of White people.

Any Black person who believes that they are a self-appointed, self-anointed spokesperson for Black people is suffering from a “Black Delusion.” This goes for Cornel West and Tavis Smiley. To show the extreme state of his delusional thinking, Cornel West has now attempted to pick fights with Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. Micheal Eric Dyson and Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry. Why? Apparently simply because they

Poverty Tour Bus

Wonder how much this tour cost? Could that money have been better spent actually helping the poor?

are relevant and he is not! Yes, I heard about the Smiley-West “Poverty Tour.” It was cute. They spent God knows how much money touring this country on a bus talking about poverty and endeavoring to Blame President Obama. What did they accomplish? Not much! Both of these men are millionaires. The problem with poverty is, it’s like the weather. Everybody talks about it. Nobody does anything about it. Their time and their message would have been better spent had they opened a series of Smiley-West soup kitchens or homeless shelters. However, that would have actually required an investment. Paying lip service to an issue costs a lot less. Have they become irrelevant? Yes, they have. I suppose they could get a show on Fox News now? There are a lot of irrelevant people over there.

10 thoughts on “Black Delusion – When Hatred Wears a Black Face

    • They are definitely “carnival barkers!” And they’re pimping the President for money. They’re trying to make money off of the notoriety they gain from being Black and saying – what some white people want to say – “we don’t like the Black guy!”

  1. Yeah, not sure what Smiley & West expect from the president! They already call him “food stamp president” & he did not even flinch! On the other hand- u think the president can do more for the community in the second term? I ask this not in bad faith, in fact I read your article carefully & don’t know that there is something in particular to do for the community because he is president for all!! But the question is not irrelevant! Texans expected more from Bush!! I mean it in those terms!!! For his legacy!!!! Want to see what you think!!

    • The problem goes to expectations. As you know, expectations can be realistic and they can be unrealistic. I’m sure you’ve heard the expression, “the dumbing down of America?” In my opinion this is very real.

      The Republicans have cut education every chance they’ve gotten. They’ve targeted inner city schools in particular. They want to do away with the NEA. The Bush program – “No Child Left Behind” – if you actually understand one of the insidious aspect of it, you’ll note, it advocates “teaching to the test.” This is extremely dangerous because students learn just enough to pass a test. The problem of course is that they do not get all the other foundational learning that puts that test into perspective. The other poisonous payload is, if you get to design the test, you’re deciding what children actually learn. It’s a clever way of programming our youth and youth become adults.

      The reason I say this is, based on some of the things I’ve heard… even coming from elected representatives who supposedly graduated someone’s law school, they evidently no longer teach basic Civics in school.

      To be an effective citizen, you need to know about the 3 branches of government. You need to understand the powers, checks and balances of each. You need to understand how a Bill becomes a Law. You need to fully understand what the powers of the Presidency are. The U.S. Constitution really isn’t that long a document. You could read it in under 30 minutes and you could probably memorize the entire thing if you put your mind to it.

      Thus, when people such as Cornel West – a man with a Ph.D from Harvard – gives poor people the impression that the President isn’t doing anything for them, one must examine his argument and then question his motives. The President cannot sign an EO – Executive Order – ending poverty. You really wouldn’t want him to be able to do that. If he could, you’d have a dictator and you’d be living under a totalitarian form of government.

      When President Obama put it all on the line for the American people and bailed out the banks and Wall Street, he was helping the poor. When he saved the American Automobile Industry, he was helping the poor. When he fought for and got passed, the Affordable Care Act – “Obama Care” – he was helping the poor. When he signed the Lilly Ledbetter Act – many households are single parent headed up by women – he was helping the poor. When the law says that women must be paid equal to men for the same job, that immediately gave a lot of women a raise and thus put that money into their family budgets.

      These are the types of things a President can actually do to make a difference. Now, imagine where we’d be today had John McCain or some other Republican been in the White House. The President is the President of All United States Citizens. He swears an oath to uphold the Constitution of these United States. One of the Amendments in the Constitution says – paraphrasing – that the Congress shall not pass an ex-post facto law or Bill of attainder. When you understand what this means, you understand that no law can be passed specifically and particularly for an individual or a group of people. Nor can a law be passed to make something illegal retro-actively.

      When you parse this out, it means that a President could not, for instance sign a law giving all minorities a lower interest rate than their white counterparts. You couldn’t pass a law mandating a lower tuition cost for minorities. What you do, you must do for all. I think President Obama has done an exemplary job of looking out for the needs of the American people. It he wasn’t… Billionaires wouldn’t have donated 100’s of millions of dollars in their efforts to defeat him. 🙂

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