Posted on 03/03/2010 6:14:23 PM PST by SkyPilot
Two months after ending his annual State of the Black Union conference, Tavis Smiley is gathering African-American advocates to press the case for a "black agenda."
The decision was motivated by what Smiley called recent statements from some black leaders downplaying the need for President Barack Obama to specifically help African-Americans.
"I was compelled to do it because of this debate," the activist and PBS talk show host said Wednesday.
The panel discussion will be March 20 at Chicago State University. Panelists include advertising pioneer Tom Burrell, professors Michael Eric Dyson and Cornel West, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, and Bennett College President Julianne Malveaux.
The meeting is free and open to the public. Negotiations to televise the event are in progress, Smiley spokeswoman Leshelle Sargent said.
Some black politicians and activists have recently begun to question Obama's longtime stance that helping the overall economy will improve the fortunes of blacks who are disproportionately poor and unemployed.
West, for example, gave Obama a grade of C minus on policies and priorities focused on poor and working people, saying, "He has really not come through in any substantial and significant way." Members of the Congressional Black Caucus have blocked some legislation until their demands were met.
Last week, Smiley and the Rev. Al Sharpton had a fierce argument about the issue on Sharpton's radio show, with Sharpton taking heated exception to Smiley's claim that the reverend was giving Obama a pass on black issues.
When Smiley ended the State of the Black Union after 10 years, he said black issues were now being addressed elsewhere.
Apparently, however, not enough to his liking.
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Gee does this mean the next time we have a whote president we can hve a meeting and discuss the white agenda? *sarcasm*
OOPPPSSSS whote=white
It is a whole slew of evils, but among them are "Affirmative Action Health Care." In Obama's "plan", there are going to be Minority Health Boards and Minority Authority Councils that will dictate more care for basically free to approved minorities at the expense of everyone else. If you are Asian, sorry, you are not a "Govt Appvd" minority. Black? You bet.
I’m REALLY sorry slaves were brought over to this country. There’s my apology for slavery.
I suspect that Obamacare is going to be stuffed with perks for his special group.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.