I know that the day before I appear on Dr. Eric Dyson's radio program I shouldn't be ripping a supposed "black race expert" on my blog. Others have been ripping our race experts, but I won't go there. Still, I don't know about my man Tavis. I got an e-mail from a very popular "Buppie" promoter here in town who has a very strong mailing list. The e-mail was all about this new documentary that Tavis is promoting and they want folks to attend the screening and have an open dialogue about it.
Now, I don't want to rip Tavis, that would be too easy. I really want to believe that his head and his heart is in the right place. I mean, let's face it, if many of us had Tavis's influence, wouldn't we be doing the same thing? Isn't it too easy to say on the sidelines and call Tavis a self promoting race hustler rather than get involved ourselves? That's what a part of me is saying. But then the other part is saying that Tavis is a self promoting race hustler. And I know that many of us are getting involved and trying to make a difference, we just don't shine the light as bright on ourselves while we do it. ---Is there a brighter light than the one Tavis has?-- I am just saying.
Hey, tell you what, you people who love TS, please tell the field why I should love him right along with you. Because I truly believe, that like Dr. Tyson and others, he is a designated race expert in A-murder-ca, and I always want to know what the experts are saying about race. I don't want anymore groups like the "Anti Cooning Tribunal" popping up all over the place, we need to all get on the same page, people.
But I digress, this is what the e-mail promotion said:
"Sulaiman Rahman. “STAND” Film Screening at the African American Museum
A DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLING THE EXTRAORDINARY ROAD TRIP OF TAVIS SMILEY AND 10 FRIENDS EXPLORING THE BLACK MALE EXPERIENCE.
STAND, a compelling documentary chronicling an extraordinary road trip taken by broadcaster Tavis Smiley and remarkable black male friends at a key moment in our nation's history. America was commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., against the backdrop of then-Senator Barack Obama emerging as the first African American to become the Democratic presidential nominee. As America approached the historic 2008 presidential election, the national dialogue and debate intensified about race relations, politics and legacy of the civil rights movement.
A DOCUMENTARY CHRONICLING THE EXTRAORDINARY ROAD TRIP OF TAVIS SMILEY AND 10 FRIENDS EXPLORING THE BLACK MALE EXPERIENCE.
STAND, a compelling documentary chronicling an extraordinary road trip taken by broadcaster Tavis Smiley and remarkable black male friends at a key moment in our nation's history. America was commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., against the backdrop of then-Senator Barack Obama emerging as the first African American to become the Democratic presidential nominee. As America approached the historic 2008 presidential election, the national dialogue and debate intensified about race relations, politics and legacy of the civil rights movement.
"There are times in the film when we debate, cry, laugh, hug and even hold hands and pray together. It's a genuine reflection of Black men and brotherhood which we rarely, if ever see in the media. When people see the film, they really respond to that," said Smiley.
Dr. Cornell West and Dr. Eddie Glaude will host a post-movie discussion.When: Thursday, May 21st, 2009 Time: 6pm - 9pm (Film starts at 6:45pm)Location: African American Museum, 7th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia PA"
Tavis and his friends in an "extraordinary documentary". Gee, there is a surprise.
