Al Sharpton and Cornel West Attempt to Eat Each Other's Heads Over President Obama
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 10:45AMDuring MSNBC's Black Agenda chat doohickey, co-host Rev. Al Sharpton had a little tiff-a-rooney-dooney with the same outfit Cornel West wears to the "everywhere." It was over Sharpton's most favorite U.S. President, Barack Obama of the Chicago-Hawaii-Kenyan-Socialists Obamas.
From TheLoop21:
With Obama as proxy, Sharpton and West debate where fault lies for little progressive power in the Congressional Black Caucus and other outlets when it comes to policy.
This degenerates into an “Ivory tower” versus “The Streets” fight, but it’s a real one. Sharpton argues that many of the same black members of government and academia who accuse Obama of not standing up for civil rights and the poor were the same ones bojangling for Bush’s war policies. Best Quote of an Increasingly Interesting Night goes to Al Sharpton: “If you SCARED, say you SCARED – but, don’t blame that on Obama!! Ya’ll making excuses for people who been there 40 years and ain’t done nothing – now they wanna blame Obama!!”
Sharpton recently had the President chatting it up at this fancy party for NAN -- the National Action Network -- Sharpton's organization. And the good reverend activist radio host is a White House regular.
Pundit Professor West is double-dutch partners with Tavis Smiley and the two regularly talk about holding President Obama accountable to black folks since Obama didn't bust into the White House turning over tables and handing out reparations checks. He also failed to attend Tavis' State of the Black Union in 2008, offered to send the wife instead and Tavis has been all kinds of sour patches ever since.
Sharpton has been critical of Obama in the past (over the President's tepid response to the Sean Bell controversy), but he has always been fully ensconced in "Team Obama." One could easily argue that Obama has supported many things that fell in line with African American interests while not being overtly a "race man." And Sharpton's critique of the inertia of some members of the Congressional Black Caucus was understandable. Especially since half of them supported Hillary Clinton in her presidency bid over Obama, but now openly whine about White House access.
You can't exactly expect to get in where you never tried to fit in in the first place. But thanks for playing.
West and Smiley were always odd to me, as they are more so thinker-writer-speaker-journalists-pundits but think of themselves, in their minds, as larger-than-life Civil Rights champions. Cloaking themselves in this racialized pantomime of radicalism from the safety of an interview chair. No matter what you want to say about Sharpton, or even Obama to a certain extent, Sharpton actually got up and did something. Was that something what you always wanted him to do? Not always. But did he actually take risks, and put life, body and spirit on the line in the pursuit of equality? Of course he did. Obama, while not an activist, is also a doer. As in, rather than discuss what could, should be done to help people, he chose a life of public service.
This isn't to say Smiley and West can't have their criticisms. Everyone who puts themselves out there into the public view is subject to these kind of judgments. But West and Smiley, at some point, need to realize they are not Malcolm and Martin. They're two really smart guys with healthy egos who on some level deeply care about black people, but do not speak for anyone but themselves. They aren't leaders of anyone. They were elected by no one. They succeeded, advanced into the leadership of nothing. West's opinion is West's opinion. Sometimes I agree with it and sometimes I don't. But I didn't need anyone to speak for me. We aren't living in the 1950s when the voices of African Americas were constantly shut out by institutionalized racism and lack of access. We have more ways and more avenues to express ourselves than ever. More speakers and opinionators than ever. And the Internet is awash in black opinion, from blogs like my own, to rants on Twitter.
Sharpton and Obama understand that they have no power without the support of the masses. The day the masses decide they no longer agree or have a use for them, they'll be out in the same pasture West and Smiley are sitting in, crying out for relevance. Only I think they'd handle their pasteurization better. I don't think Smiley ever truly accepted he wasn't Black America's "Shining Prince." He was just some guy we all felt sorry for when he was fired from BET. But that's the funny thing about leaders. You can't be a leader if you can't get anyone to follow. And you can't get the power you need without followers. So with that being the reality, where does our true strength really lie -- In the vocal subterfuge of our champions, or the men and women behind the curtain?
Reader Comments (27)
*Stands up and applauds*
Thank you.
Anyone can criticize Rev. Sharpton for the things he has done. He even said it himself that there are things he should have done differently, but no one can ever say that he did not involve himself, roll up his sleeves and walk with Shaniqua and Devon. You know?
Dr. West and Mr. Smiley talk a good game. We should do this and we shouldn't do that and oh look at so-and-so and what they're not doing. It is fine to point those out, but then what are they doing? Have they shown by example, those things they say other people should be doing? Or is it more comfortable to stand at a distance with a laser pointer to show what is wrong.
As a longtime lurker and first-time poster, I just have to say: Outstanding as usual, Snob.
One thing, though--I would't say that West and Snidely haven't succeeded at NOTHING. They did manage to hustle folks into attending those tired SOBUs and getting their equally tired books sold to the masses.
Best I've seen on this issue SNOB. And I've been kinda tracking this thing since Tavis left the Tom Joyner morning show in a HUFF. I almost couln't believe it when Dr. Cornel West somehow got himself ropped into this mess. And now here we sit all fractured and dis-unified and stuff.
"the two regularly talk about holding President Obama accountable to black folks since Obama didn't bust into the White House turning over tables and handing out reparations checks. "
LMAO
*******ALSO STANDING AND APPLAUDING**********
Fantastic points raised and discussed: I have often disagreed w/Sharpton, but he does ACT when he feels strongly and Tavis has always had an ego problem, seems as though he thinks just by addressing an issue it should be enough. He seems to always REACT from "I think, therefore I am important" and its bullS***. On another point, I also often disagree w/Pres O, but I understand he represents many. As an independ, I often advised his hardcore supporters to know the candidates, but it was truly a race of "interesting choices". Lastly, Dr. West should runnnnnnnn away from this mess.
I watched this video clip over the weekend via another site and I must say that Cornell comes off looking crazy. He speaks as if he has an ax to grind against President Obama. I agree with Sharpton, when he said that it is Congress' place to write bills etc. One of my favorite moments was the "If you scared, say you're sacred". When I first heard it I was like WORD!
"I don't think Smiley ever truly accepted he wasn't Black America's "Shining Prince." He was just some guy we all felt sorry for when he was fired from BET." Hahaha classic snob and also true. West and Smiley are leaders of no one,no organizations,no movements to speak of ( at least nothing with any real follow through) they are just two dudes with opinions. I think they take themselves a little to serious at times.
I have had issues with Rev. Al, but he was always up for the fight and willing to get out in the street. He's asking for everyone to be accountable, and I think that's fine....because it's correct. I do love it when he calls out folks that flap their yaps, telling what happened when he ran for President and what happened.
West just got wrapped up in Travis' mess...it's taken him over...and they both look ridiculous now.
Snob, you continue to rock.
I don't understand the black uniform on West. If somebody happens to read West's bio, please tell me why that man wears a costume.
Al Sharpton is a leader for hire. He will champion any "black" cause, if he can get paid in the process.
Sad, but true.
*Standing Ovation* Yeah Snob.... You tell 'em :D
This is exactly telling it like it is. Thanks for taking the time. As for" Sharpton is a leader for hire.........." (posted above me), I'm thankful he is. Where is anyone else taking "action" for black causes? I used to view him the same way, but I have come to respect him because he needn't do any of this. He could just go into TV punditry, but that's not who he is. While we may no longer need black leaders, we will always need black voices unafraid and unapologetic in championing our civil and natural rights. Right on Rev Al ! Right on Black Snob !
@edp4bho
I'm not a Rev. Al basher. I listen to his radio show sometimes and he's good at what he does. He will sometimes stick his nose into moral issues for a buck. He is a preacher after all. It doesn't make him a bad man. Like they say, a broken clock is right at least twice a day. Let's just say Rev. Al's legacy is still being written.
sharpton made some very valid points in this argument, while west's opinions are tired/futile. obama (among others) has said from the very start that he can not do everything himself but we can ALL try to get somewhere together i.e. "nicca, help me help you...dang it"
yea and i remember when tavis left tjms in a huff too (like somebody did him something)...lol
I believe both men made valid points, and from the above comments this discussion could go on forever. But I'd like to say Danielle, excellent post again - witty, balanced and hilarious. By the fourth paragraph I'd already found 4 great quotes. Thanks for posting, and for reminding us to maintain a clearer perspective!
"And Sharpton's critique of the inertia of some members of the Congressional Black Caucus was understandable"
No, Sharpton's been schmoozing with these same black politicos for decades instead of calling them to to task on a variety of issues. His "critique" is a rather transparent smokescreen to distract people from the the fact that the Invertebrate in Chief is not really concerned with "change" nor has the guts to even try to bring it about. The author of "The Audacity of Hope" is in fact as audacious as a paranoid mouse. West is right.
@scribblescribe
Aaaaaah, the mouse that roared.
So what makes West and Smiley any better than Sharpton? Oh, you agree with their opinion.
I love how progressives who projected their political hopes onto Obama and when he failed in "their eyes" to live up to those expectations, can't sprint fast enough to their keyboards to bash the president.
How about bashing the weak ass Democrats and avaricious Republicans currently warming the seats in the House and Senate? Because if memory serves they write, introduce and pass the laws of the land. Or better yet, how about bashing the progressives who didn't vote in the last election cycle? How is THAT working out for them?
Punditry has become THE substitution for acutal political activism. Sit at your keyboard, go on TV, organize a forum, puntificate and hope the world changes.
And you call Obama weak.
BRAVO, SNOB!
Excellent post. and I agree with allheavens.
"[Cornell West and Tavis Smiley are] two really smart guys with healthy egos who on some level deeply care about black people, but do not speak for anyone but themselves."
There's the sermon. The doors of the church are now open.
Brilliant Danielle.. just brilliant!
"You can't be a leader if you can't get anyone to follow. And you can't get the power you need without followers. So with that being the reality, where does our true strength really lie -- In the vocal subterfuge of our champions, or the men and women behind the curtain?"
I enjoyed this piece you wrote. Thank You.
I must find the video for this whole segment because it looks like Rev. Al was lighting the good Dr. up over his Obama bashing. The president is just a man, but some folks were acting like he was supposed to come in and wave a magic wand and correct all the economic and moral ills of this country. Yes the President should be held accountable in the areas where he has fallen short, but Sharpton is right about the members of the CBC who have been in office for decades and have done very little for their consituents.
Good job as usual Danielle.
Cornel West confuses me -- he has an ax to grind with President Obama for not being 'Black America's President' and not placing greater emphasis on black issues. Ummm, that is not how the presidency works. Al Sharpton is correct, outside of Cornel's for-profit ventures (books and tv appearances) I have yet to see him physically toil to push forward the agenda of Black America. President Obama, our Congress persons and Senators need support. Cornel West loves to complain but, yet and still, he writes his tired little books and laughs it up with Tavis Smiley while doing little (that I can tell) to champion black causes. This is not to say that he needs to assume Al Sharpton's role and picket-for-press (nothing wrong with this, as long as Sharpton's self serving efforts help push forward the Black Agenda, I'm all for him -- no need to expect him to be Mother Theresa), but there must be something more constructive that Cornel can do to engage black America -- outside of philosophizing in a Princeton classroom or at a Barnes & Nobles book reading.
These black 'scholars' who prefer to complain, soak up the spotlight, but do NOTHING to push the movement forward sicken me. Example: Skip Gates & his sad, 'publicity stunt' of an arrest. Given how 'irate' that Skip Gates was following his arrest, why isn't he doing more to trumpet police brutality / racial profiling? Following his chummy NY Times worthy beer summit at the White House he quietly disappeared back to his books and PBS shows once the media lost interest in him and he lost interest in championing a serious issue (distracts from his money-making PBS specials, I suppose...). And, seriously, what paparazzi hangs out in Cambridge, MA,...during summer break...directly across from Skip's home? Who took that pic? His retired, white, old lady neighbor who was swift enough to grab her camera phone and snap? Looked like a staged side-show bob performance to me.
Excellent points Danielle, I couldn't have stated them any better myself.
Question for Tavis and Cornell - why didn't you ask Ed Schultz why none of the news networks have a black person in prime time? If you are able to answer that question - them tell me how Obama is responsible for the lack of diversity on CNN, Fox, MSNBC? See where I'm going with this?
Next, Tavis and Cornell - tell me what you 2 are personally doing to address the glaring 71% of black kids being born to single moms...oops, that's also Obama's fault. See where I'm going with this?
Only thing that I disagree with is calling Tavis and Cornell "really smart" guys...gotta say I used to really respect Cornell's intellect (his books are on shelf) but no more...I now see him as a pontificating fool who is overcome by his own arrogance. There is nothing wrong with criticizing Obama - he's far from perfect and there is enough criticism to go around. What I've noticed with T&C is that their criticism seems so mean-spirited. Typical crab in the barrel stuff - Willie Lynch couldn't more proud of these 2.
They now call themselves "thought leaders." What the heck is that? It's an obvious admission that you only talk the talk but can't walk the walk. It's plain and simple envy on their part - I'm convinced of it. They hide behind that caring for black people meme - but it is bull; they care only about their own ambitions. Go look at Tavis' website and see what his so-called foundation does. It's a joke, much like the man himself. They ought to be ashamed.
Agree completely with ALL of the comments and Danielle! I don't recall either Tavis or Mr. West being even half as hard on Clinton and yes I went there and no I don't care about the eye rolls. Many black people had their had so far up Clinton's ass they could smell his shit pardon the language but NOW black people want to whine about the preisdent not 'doing enough'?! They should have said that when they were busy fawning over golden boy Clinton who I have YET to hear what he did for blacks that was so fucking great.