TAVIS SMILEY QUITS TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW OVER BARACK OBAMA BACKLASH

Tavis Smiley quit the Tom Joyner Morning show because he couldn't take all the "hate from black people" about his bashing of presidential candidate Barack Obama. Tavis Smiley is an outspoken supporter of Senator Hillary Clinton. However, some people in the African-American community believe Tavis Smiley's display of support for Clinton shows he is "out of touch" and he has been called a "sellout" and the self-appointed spokesman for Black America.  Listen to Tavis Smiley speak on the Tom Joyner Show about Barack Obama's letter that he would not attend his State of the Black Union 2008 Conference in Louisiana. 

Tavis Smiley had invited Barack Obama to debate with Senator Hillary Clinton on his "2008 State of Black the Black Union " Conference in Louisiana. Barack Obama told Tavis Smiley he was too busy to attend the debate because he was campaigning for upcoming primaries, so he offered to allow his wife Michelle to attend in his place.  Well, Tavis wasn't happy to accept Barack Obama's Harvard Law Educated wife to  speak on his behalf, so Tavis withdrew his invitation and  uninvited Michelle saying she was not welcome at his event.  Listen to Barack Obama's wife Michelle Obama speak about talk show host Tavis Smiley. Michelle is a very classy lady.

Here's a comment on the hiphopcrunch blog

Rau // Feb 22, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Tavis Smiley is a sellout just as his name suggests. Let’s not pretend sellouts no longer exists simply because we do not like the use of the word. Tavis’s commentary is sponsored by WalMart on the Tom Joyner Morning Show and not only does he vehemently supports Hilliary Clinton but he also attacks Obama every chance he gets. Ever since Hilliary mentioned Tavis in one of her speeches he’s been a zealed for her by going far and above the extra mile in attacking Sen. Obama. source

Watch Tavis Smiley bash Barack Obama on Bill Maher's television show. Tavis Smiley is angry over what he calls a snub after Obama did not attend his debate.

Two of the most influential black men in media have parted ways.

Earlier today, radio veteran Tom Joyner announced that longtime contributor Tavis Smiley is no longer associated with the daily syndicated morning show, 'Tom Joyner Morning Show.'

"I got a call from Tavis on yesterday," Joyner said. "And he told me he was quitting the show. He told me the reason was that he was tired and has a lot of things going on, and he feels that now is a good time to leave the show."

"We all know that isn't the real reason he's leaving the show," Joyner continued. "The real reason is that he can't take the hate he's been getting regarding the Barack issue - hate from the black people that he loves so much. He needed to feel the love. We all do, whether it's from our radio audience or from people we know personally. He wasn't feeling any love, so he quit." source

Comments

[Rodney Hollinshed]

Uncle Tom in Hillary Clintons Kitchen!

[Rodney Hollinshed]

Tavis is the star of driving Ms. Daisy but Hillary Clinton is the one riding in the back seat!

[Gerald Cole]

It is unfortunate Mr. Obama could not make it, but one should be able to appreciate his reason. He has a message that needs to be spread around the country, and I am thankful to see him doing that. I understand Mr. Smiley's choice not to have Mrs. Obama speak if the plans were for a candidate debate, she's not a candidate. But, I do feel that it was a mistake to say having Mrs. Obama speak (not debate) was inappropriate because she is a classy, articulate, and educated Black Woman that has much influence. As far as Mr. Smiley backing Mrs. Clinton, that is his choice. Let us not forget our 1st Amendment, FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION. I am a supporter for Mr. Obama, but I can understand why someone would support Mrs. Clinton. Let us stop bashing these great people and figure out which one would be the better President by voting.

[Rational Thinker]

Before we as a group can move forward, we must understand it is ok to disagree.
The idea that people would hate Tavis because of his thoughts on this issue is sad. Each of us has been blessed with the ability to think, but most of us just follow the crowd. Tavis has decided to throw his support behind Senator Clinton; I do not agree with him, but I will defend his right to do so.
Tavis is one of the few leaders of the Black community that I will read, watch, or listen to that always gives me something to think about and discuss later. As a critical thinker, I want to think before I act, and I would hope we all process information this way. but it is clear this is not the case. It is OK to disagree.
I wonder how many of you have ever really listened to Tavis outside of TJMS or BM. The man is a mental giant. I would ask tavis to continue speaking his mind and realize some of us will figure it out later.

[Wapbow]

Tavis Smiley might mean well, but I'm not impressed by him and never have been. His commentary and state of the black union forum does nothing to change things for black people. What is he trying to do? What kind of help do the black people in need of help get after his state of the union forum? His plate might be full, however, the bottom line is he couldn't take the heat about what black people are saying regarding his downing Barack Obama. Personally, I don't think it was necessary for Obama to attend the forum or participate in the MLK 40 anniversary death proceedings. Again, I will ask what benefit did these things have to the average black person in need. Tavis needs to go some place "right quick" and sit down and stop using the word folk and replace it with people. Personally, I prefer not to listen to him

[Rhonda Williams]

Everyone is entitled to his or here own opinion and freedom of speech. It is really fair to hate someone because of his or her personal opinion ? I personally feel that if Obama was not in the runnning for president Black America would be on the Hillary Clinton bandwagon. I mean who else would we vote for John McCain ? Think about it.

[stephen corbitt]

Damn Nupe u fucked up.

[keith]

tavis is the crab in the bucket we been waiting 4 ever to get another leader and now look at this clarence thomas take him behind the barn.