State of the Black Union 2008
I must admit that this year, I was feeling a certain way about Tavis Smiley’s State of the Black Union Roundtable. I’ve watched in previous years and have been inspired but this time around, I just wasn’t interested in the linguistic olympics featuring Dr. Mike Eric Dyson, Dr. Cornell West, Dr. Na’im Akbar and the other usual suspects. I think Tavis needs greater diversity…ideological diversity. It’s getting to the point now where you pretty much know how people are going to come down on the issues. I would like to see more grassroots-activist types, artists, OG’s from street oganizations…I mean let’s really shake it up! Allow the crowd to benefit from the wide variety of thought that is found within our rich culture. I feel like the panel is getting too academic…too “talented tenth”…too…dare I say – bourgeois. That’s not directed at any individual panelist, just the feeling I got from the event this year as a whole. (Disclaimer: to be fair I only watched the 2nd panel) I was thankful last year to see Min. Louis Farrakhan on the panel. In some respects he made the discussion for me with his fiery rhetoric.
This year, Dick Gregory’s participation made the discussion for me. He communicated his truth in lay language – down where the goats could get it and do something with it. He made great sense and though he was the oldest participant, he was, in my estimation, the most courageous. As he said himself – he was the turtle….hard on the outside, soft on inside, and willing to stick his neck out from time to time. I’m not sure I could say that about the others.
Enjoy this clip of Dick Gregory from this year’s State of the Black Union 2008. I uploaded the rest of his sharing to my youtube page.
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Paradigm Shft,
I also enjoyed last year’s conference, when the X-generation moguls and scholars (Professor from Yale), confronted the old school civil rights ministers, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Otis Moss.
It was also a provocative discussion!
I agree Brother Brown. Additionally, I think we should suspend having the Congressional Black Caucus, Rainbow Coalition and several other mega gatherings.
Imagine if these organizations decided that they would identify 10 community based programs in cities that are having alarming rates of violence and economic instability, provided funded and technical assistance to these groups.
After the first three years, Smiley, Jackson or Sharpton would issue a report card of the successes of these groups. This would be more practical and be able to demonstrate some “real” successes.
Like you, Heber, I once loved to watch the SBU. But I’ve grown very weary of the event. I have had it with the verbal olympics. I need to see some faith in action. Know what I mean? **smile**
Well, I’ll be checking you out. Take care and stay busy. That’s when you’re your best.
Much love and prayers,
Angie
P.S. Shoot me an e-mail. My new one is in with this comment I just left. I need some advice.