If running for this country’s highest office displaces the old elite black guard, why would we want it replaced with a newer one? We need a service-based model in the black spectrum not the “leadership” paradigm of the last 60 years. (See Carter G. Woodson; Mis-education of the Negro) Mr. Woodson admonishes us from accepting “leadership” without service, (Chpt XI) and there is, also, the universal principle of results.

I don’t think he wanted Obama’s presence for the good of blacks or the somber retrospection of the Katrina aftermath, Mr. Smiley wanted him there to give to gain credibility. I’m at a lost as to the author’s assertion that “Smiley tells it like it is” and ain’t afraid”. Those State of the Black Union forums are horrible. They solve nothing, which they can’t. The only purpose for them is to plainly state facts, but every year, they make the same accretions, year after year. In fact, they spend more applauding each other then saying anything of substance. Should he be lauded for this? It mediocrity, plain and simple and we should be tired of this constant stagnation which is the only results from these type of meetings.

Tavis Smiley is a self-promoting business interest, with no real aim toward helping black people; he’s in it for himself.