Jan 30 2009
Tavis Smiley causes more controversy
Political commentator Tavis Smiley has caused a controversy on his TV show. During an interview on his show, he called rappers Jay-Z, T.I., and Kanye West the N word. I’m pretty sure we all know what the N word is. He was interviewing Sri Lankan, a pop singer, about the Grammys and how he would like to sing with Jay-Z, T.I., or Kanye West. Travis responded by calling the rappers “them Negroes.” This is not the first time that Tavis has been disrespectful of African American. During Barack Obama’s race to become president, he tried to turn the public against Barack.
I find this very disturbing as an African American. I also find it disturbing because Tavis Smiley is also an African American who could have easily been called the same thing in his life. I don’t know if he were serious or not, but that’s not something he should have called them. There are enough people using the word that he didn’t need to become one more person using it. Does he have a problem with African Americans or something? I remember watching a couple of episodes of his show where he was nothing but nice to the African American guests. Now all of a sudden he is doing things like this. He could be trying to get attention by doing these controversial things. If so, he could have found a better way of getting attention. This could cause him to lose any African American viewers he has to stop watching his show. I’m looking forward to hearing the rappers’ response to what Tavis called them. I know Kanye will have something to say because he usually does.
My husband and I were discussing this the other day. We are not Afro-Americans, but are sister-n-law is (half), and we were shocked to hear Tavis do this twice. We find it disrespectful and rude actually. Why he does it makes no sense at all.
This is wrong maybe he is trying to get more viewers or something, but clearly this is not the way to go about it. He will end up losing viewers rather than gaining them.
As mickie said, it’s more about getting viewers as I guess. Controversy surely makes a person more famous!
But bad publicity is bad after all….He will loos quality viewers in the long run if he repeats this again..Lets see what he has to say for himself..
http://issuesinindia.today.com/
Congratulations, you have been selected for February’s advertising on Health by Dr. Atif Farid.
It includes:
1) A text link on the main page for 1 month
2) Your blog’s logo on the main page for a total of 6 days each (In 2 sets, 3 days each).
Your dates for Ad #1 are: 2, 3, 4
Your dates for Ad #2 are: 14, 15, 16
Thank You for supporting the blog.
I agree, cindy. It didn’t make sense for him to do that to other African Americans. You’re right about it being disrespectful.
You’re right, mickie. He will end up losing viewers. He did more harm than good by saying what he said.
I think he only cares about controversy too, drat. Thanks for the advertising. I am honored. You’re welcome for the support. Your blog is very good and I enjoy reading it.
I am interested in what he has to say for himself too, arthi. He will most likely have a bad excuse ready for what he did.