Author and media personality Tavis Smiley found himself at odds with
several black leaders after he said there needs to be a more national
focus on a black agenda, even though the U.S. has its first black
president.
Black leaders such as the Rev. Al Sharpton are among those in disagreement about Smiley's approach. Host Michel Martin speaks with him about his thoughts on politics and the black community and a conference being planned to discuss the needs and progress of African-Americans.
MICHEL MARTIN, host:
Im Michel Martin, and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News.
Coming up, for decades, states and local governments have been free to create their own educational standards. But now a new effort to set standards nationwide seems to be gaining acceptance. We talk to two education activists who have been involved in the process.
But first, Tavis Smiley. Now, thats a name you know from right here on public radio, where he hosts a weekly program, or his television program, also found on public broadcasting or his books - those hes authored himself or published through his imprint or his State of the Black Union gatherings that he hosted for a decade, where he gathered African-American thought leaders to talk about the issues of the day.
Now, earlier this year, he announced that he would stop hosting those gatherings because hes on to other projects. But he recently decided to bring together a group of African-American activists and intellectuals next weekend, March 20th, because, he says, there needs to be more of a national focus on a black agenda, even though this country is now led by a black president.
But some black leaders are taking issue
with Taviss approach, and the dust up has gotten rather heated and its
playing out on the airwaves. Recently, on Reverend Al Sharptons radio
program, he and Tavis Smiley got into a heated debate over whether
President Obama has a responsibility to set a national agenda
specifically for African-Americans.
Source: NPR
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