Tavis Smiley On Obama's Trayvon Martin Speech: 'He Was Pushed To That Podium' (VIDEO)

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

170. I used to revere Cornel West. I loved him. I loved, respected,

and admired him. I've met him several times when I was in graduate school and he came to speak and do book signings. I participated in college-wide panel discussions on racism, sexism and homophobia. I was impressed that he lives a modest life, vowing to focus his attention on the plight of the poor and downtrodden in this society. I had great appreciation for his intellect as a scholar, but also the work he did with Michael Lerner to try and bridge the divide and create understanding between blacks and American Jews.

However, something changed. Cornel West changed. Ever since Barack Obama ran in the Democratic primaries in 2007-2008, Cornel has morphed into a buffoon, a caricature. He has admitted that he was upset with the president, first and foremost--not because of some policy decision the president made--but because the president didn't personally invite him to the Inauguration and give him priority seating.

Here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/23/1164307/-Naivet-of-Tavis-Smiley-Cornel-West-Attack-On-Obama-Danger-To-Poor-Blacks

But, a good number of white liberals love Cornel West and Tavis Smiley--even though many didn't even know who they were 20, 25 years ago. They love them NOW because these two clowns make them feel better about bashing the president. And yes, I've said it before and I'll say it again: there is racism in the Democratic party and among liberals. There absolutely is! And just as white conservatives are guilty of exploiting West and Smiley to serve their own ends, so too are some white liberals.

The black community, on the other hand, is very familiar with Tavis Smiley and Cornel West and have been since the beginning of their public careers. We know what Tavis Smiley is about and what he cares about. And there is a large number of blacks who have abandoned these two due to their treatment of President Obama.

The supporters of West and Smiley never even question why there is almost no criticism of the unprecedent Republican Party obstruction and how the Republicans have deliberately blocked JOBS bills. These two men are incredibly smart. They know very well how government works, and yet they choose to ignore the disrespect and downright hatred directed at the president from the political right.

West and Smiley have never given credit to the president for all the good things he has done. For instance, one of the first acts of his presidency was signing an Executive Order that repeals mandatory minimum sentencing for crack vs. cocaine.

Here: http://www.mainjustice.com/2010/08/03/as-obama-signs-crack-sentencing-bill-supporters-vow-push-for-retroactivity/

Yes, admittedly more needs to be done to address racial disparities in the criminal justice sytem. Neither the president nor congressional black members have avoided this fact.

And where Tavis and Cornel have made very valid criticisms for why Obama hasn't moved on some policies, I commend them. Where Cornel has criticized the president for drone attacks and NSA/FISA and other civil liberties transgressions, I agree and commend him.

However, I have never heard either of these men congratulate Obama when he has done anything good. It's much like here on DU where the ODSers will never give this president any credit for anything right that he does. It doesn't matter what it is.

I just don't think these men are credible. It is clear that they have personal animus against this president. And when they go on Faux News to join with the political right and reaffirm the hatred on that network, I continue to lose respect for them. I start to feel that they are really about promoting themselves, not about what is right and wrong.

West and Smiley's personal animus towards Barack Obama is well documented in both mainstream progressive and black media circles:

http://www.essence.com/2011/08/13/tavis-smiley-and-cornel-west-criticize-president-obama-steve-harvey-responds/

http://ericcharlessmith.thoughts.com/posts/cornel-west-s-animus-toward-obama

http://www.laprogressive.com/smiley-west/

http://rollingout.com/politics/tom-joyner-rips-tavis-smiley-and-cornel-west-for-their-hatred-towards-president-obama/

http://extremeliberal.wordpress.com/2011/09/20/cornel-west-and-tavis-smiley-have-never-supported-president-obama/

http://www.thenation.com/blog/160725/cornel-west-v-barack-obama#axzz2ZyaJcKH3