Tavis Smiley's Wish List

I finally saw the 9th annual "State Of The Black Union" with Tavis Smiley and supposedly the voices of the conscious of black America. The most anticipated attendee at this years event was visibly absent. The guest of honor Barack Obama didn't show. Instead of representatives of a wide spread group of ideas. It was just the usual speakers who best articulate the same battle cry blacks have been complaining about for the last forty years. With a New-Jack sprinkled here and there. We don't have the same issues today we had back then. I must say I wasn't missing anything. It was just another stage for problem profiteers to showcase their speaking skills. I found it interesting they had Daron Boyce a youth from Memphis's Kirby High school who proved that the misdirection of the black race is alive and well. He was drilled and prepped by a much older aunt, who chaperoned him. I guess he represented the new generation. It was amusing to hear a young man talk about things that happened long before he was even born. The speaker in the first half of the program that I felt had the most to say, got to talk the least. Rev. Melvin Love of New Orleans only had the microphone twice. I wish I could say the same for Michael Eric Dyson and Jesse Jackson. We were exposed to at least one of their spins on every question.

The second half of the forum was a little more balanced than the first. The only Republican on the panel offered some much needed balance. Former Lt. Governor Michael Steele of Maryland was a breath of fresh air. He was the one black person in the house that had the nerve to disagree with not just the Democrats but Obama as well. The way he explained how he could be happy that a black man could be elected to the highest office in the land. But not support him based on his views. Was the best description of how other true black Conservatives feel. At every large gathering there's always going to be the comedian in the house. This forum didn't dissappoint. Keeping Tavis Smiley and the politically correct members of the audience on the edge of their seats. Dick Gregory did an excellent job. It was largely an Obama crowd, but there were some Hillary Clinton supporters there too. Who by the way, she didn't abandon.

Since Hillary Clinton was invited, and made an appearance. Obviously it wasn't reserved for blacks only. Why didn't they invite John McCain too? Since he has a chance of being elected as well. As it turns out better than Hillary, if not Obama. I'm sure McCain had some supporters there even though few, and he would have been on hand. I was excited the first couple of times I watched the black covenant, but the newness has worn off. The same concerns they were voicing then, they're still voicing now. If it wasn't just a chance to try and one up the other. With all those people in positions of power. Something should have changed by now. The covenant with black America, has become nothing more than Tavis Smiley's wish list.