Tavis Smiley Takes Accountability on the Road

There is nothing better than seeing that those in the public eye are capable of self-correction. Arguably, that is what Tavis Smiley is doing with the tour for his latest book, Accountable: Making America As Good as its Promise. Though he would vehemently disagree, I would argue that this book tour partly allows Smiley to re-present himself to America, and in particular – black America – after tearing his pants with them so badly over the past few years.

Smiley states that his role as an interviewer is protective; he holds those to whom he speaks accountable for their actions. As seen from its cover, this book’s challenges President Obama to enact his campaign promises. Elected officials, community and faith leaders and citizens are provided checklists for supporting the president’s goals; they can also use their unique group qualifiers to successfully address the “divide between the promise of and the possibility in America for everyday people.”

Smiley is certainly an impressive man. Best known for socio-political commentary and conversations with leaders, Tavis Smiley has, in a relatively short amount of time, broken considerable ground as a broadcaster, author, and philanthropist. He has authored eleven books; The Covenant with Black America became the first non-fiction book by a black publisher to reach #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list. Smiley was the first American to simultaneously host shows on public radio and public television. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the youngest African American to have a professional school and center named after him on a university campus; The Tavis Smiley School of Communications and The Tavis Smiley Center for Professional Media Studies are located at Texas Southern University.

On March 11, 2009 Tavis Smiley spoke at the main branch of the Seattle Public Library. When asked by a friend to attend, I unenthusiastic about the event. While proud of Smiley’s accomplishments, I had never been an aficionado. I do not routinely watch or listen to him in any of his communication formats. My reticence towards him stemmed from residual annoyance resulting from the highly publicized kerfuffle that occurred when Senator Barack Obama did not attend the annual 2007 State of the Black Union forum held in Virginia. On the Tom Joyner Morning Show, America’s most listened to black radio show, Smiley announced that he had invited all three presidential candidates, that Clinton had accepted and that he planned to speak negatively about McCain and Obama, insisting that they address the black and social justice issues outlined in The Covenant with Black America. Obama’s absence from the meeting got the most discussion from Smiley on his and other shows. There was an excellent reason why Obama could not attend the forum – he was announcing his run for the presidency on the same day. Though Michelle Obama made herself available to speak in his stead, her request was publicly denied. After Iowa when blacks realized that Obama could win, sentiment turned, in some measure, against Smiley. It is hypothesized that he chose to leave the Tom Joyner Morning Show because of the negative publicity that his position on Obama had caused.

I firmly believe that each person has the right to support the political candidates they choose. It certainly benefits journalists to maintain political neutrality. I was stymied, however, by Smiley’s hubris. Presidential candidates have schedules that keep them away from their families. It is not surprising that they may be unable to attend even important events, especially if they conflict with campaign filing days.

The manner in which Smiley addressed this issue in his library talk was the most disingenuous component of what was otherwise a fairly good talk on community accountability. Smiley did not mention the well-noted aforementioned events, all of which have considerable taped and televised evidence of his statements. Instead he mentioned that he and Obama have a long-standing friendship, that they call each other “brother”, and that Obama heeds Smiley’s caution “not to sell out.”

Primarily, though, Smiley spoke thoughtfully about America’s post-election status. Though the audience was racially and culturally mixed, he joked that the town meeting was more like Bible study, using church references and seeking the occasional “Amen.” Smiley talked about his prayer that Obama be a “great, not good President”, singing the song. “Lord, I’m running, trying to make a hundred (99 ½ just won’t do).” He acknowledged that greatness often results from a combination of social and political adversities and relationships that push a president beyond what they believe to be their strengths (Lincoln had Frederick Douglass; Obama has… Accountable?). He encouraged everyone to their potential for leadership. “You can’t lead folks if you don’t love folks”, he told the audience. “And you can’t save folks if you don’t serve folks.” We laughed when he noted, “If you think you’re leading and turn around to find no one behind you, you’re just out for a walk!” In multicultural Seattle, he made the important reminder that Obama’s election does not make us post-racial, but less racist “as it is easier….to vote for a black man than to deal with the racial divide.”

But if Smiley’s personal redemption and accountability are – perhaps - what this tour are partly about, he earned his fare in the last 5 minutes of the Q and A session. A white man nervously approached the mike, asking a question that was a bit challenging to understand. Its purpose, however, was clear. He was there with a black boy, Trey, whose father was jailed and wanted Smiley’s recommendations for services. Smiley acknowledged that the Seattle audience might contain professionals adept at answering what specific services were available and asked them to meet the man and his charge following the meeting. Smiley spoke about the variety of ways that parents, social systems and the larger society had failed our children. Then he spoke directly to Trey, who had begun to get into trouble. “Don’t do to anyone what you don’t want done to you. Don’t hurt anyone if you don’t want anyone you love hurt. Don’t let the pain in your heart turn you into someone who can’t grow into the man you are meant to be.” And then, modeling the man that he can be, Smiley invited Trey to receive Smiley’s personal copy of Accountable: Making America as Good as its Promise, which he autographed for him. They shook hands. Hopefully making man and boy as good as their promise and their promises.

Published in Urban Life Northwest