Tavis Smiley talked to Black Voices about his new documentary, 'Stand.' Set in the summer of 2008 at a historic crossroads -- 40 years since Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated, and Barack Obama was running to become the first black president of the United States -- 'Stand' is essentially a road movie with an intellectually stellar cast, including professors Cornel West and Michael Eric Dyson, comedian Dick Gregory and other buddies of Smiley. It includes what may be the last interview ever given by singer Isaac Hayes.
Check out the video above to hear what Smiley said, and then follow the link to Part 3 for Smiley's answer to a question from a BV member.
Tavis Talks To BV
Talk show host Tavis Smiley visited Black Voices to talk about his book, 'Accountable: Making America as Good as Its Promise,' as well as his documentary 'Stand.'
Elizabeth Bruneau, AOL
'Accountable' lists 242 campaign promises that President Barack Obama made. To those who suggest it is a critique of Obama, Smiley says, 'For those persons who thought for some reasons I was hating on Obama...I remind people that [my] trilogy of books started before he was ever heard of on the national scene.'
Elizabeth Bruneau, AOL
Smiley says the president has made substantial progress on the economy, but 'for all of the talk about the economy, the president has focused on Wall Street, he's focused a little bit on Main Street; but no real talk about the side street.'
Elizabeth Bruneau, AOL
For the documentary 'Stand,' Smiley gathered together several of his male friends on a trip through the South in the summer of 2008. Show from left (back): Cornel West, Michael Eric Dyson, Dick Gregory, David Porter, Isaac Hayes, Raymond Ross, Tavis Smiley, Wren Brown, Eddie Glaude, BeBe Winans, Cliff West
From left (front): Daron Boyce, Robert Smith
Raymond Ross
As America approached the historic presidential election, against the backdrop of the 40th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s slaying, the national dialogue and debate intensified about race relations, politics and the legacy of the civil rights movement.
SIVAT Productions
While visiting places like the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. King died, and iconic soul label Stax Records, Smiley and friends explored the diversity and complexity of the Black male experience in America.
SIVAT Productions
Their journey included a visit to the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN, on the site of Dr. King's slaying: Left to right: Tavis Smiley, Cornel West, Dick Gregory, BeBe Winans, Michael Eric Dyson, Eddie Glaude, Daron Boyce, Wren Brown, Robert Smith.
SIVAT Productions
Comments: (3)
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By: Mary on 5/09/2009 4:58PM
Mr Smiley, I'm very disappointed in you. We,as ordinary people, depend on you to help our leaders who are in high places such as President Obama. We, the mojority, found him to be as smart, intelligent, and capable to govern this country as any of the contenders. I do not find that you held Mr bush to such a tigh rope standard. Why this president? Why do you dislike him so much. I believe Mr King had a vision of someone of this caliber to step forth. Many Whites, Latins, Asians, and others believed in him, but you take another stand. Because of the forces on the right, It's going to be hard for Mr Obama to get the promises met and he needs you to help push the agenda through this cloud. Please stop fighting him and help. I do not know your party affiliation, but I have crossed from the democratic line to vote for others who I thought would do the best job. It should not be about party at this time of hard ship and when so many issues have been neglected for so long. Besides, this is a new day. Things have changed from the 20s, 50s' 80s, and those so called Reagan years. There are new faces, new ideas, and new ways of doing things and the Lord always send someone to guide the people into the new eras. Please give this man a try and use your influence to help others see the importance and show them how they can help to make this country a better place.
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By: Mary on 5/09/2009 5:18PM
I hope Mr Smiley would stop the hate message and join in to help bring about the president's agrenda. He's going to need people who have influence to fight the opposers who only care about their polical positions. You could be a great access. You do not see the people who are suffering from this economy. You do not think about the fact that it takes money to make money just as it takes money to go into business or to do anything else. Don't buy that notion that your grandchildren will be left to pay this bill. As things improve, the budget will grow and the economy will begin to flurish. It took eight years to get to this point and it wiil take eight years or some to recover. Let us look up and do our share to bring it about.
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By: soldier on 6/06/2009 7:16PM
Mary; where have you been for the past 8 years
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