Via Booker Rising, there’s been plenty of back-and-forth argument over the paucity of right-leaning blacks (conservative and libertarian) in attendance at Tavis Smiley’s annual discussion on “The State of the Black Union”.
Smiley and several left-wing panelists called out the names of high-ranking black Republicans who were invited, but either declined or cancelled at the last minute. There was plenty of debate (if you could call it that) over the alleged reasons why said Black Republicans were no-shows (predictable anti-Bush hatred and anti-diversity of thought notwithstanding).
My proactive thoughts:
The black Republicans who were invited should have showed up and/or kept their commitment to appear. With slanted events such as SOTBU, it’s a Catch-22 situation no matter how you slice it. Nonetheless, be true to your beliefs and convictions. If you sincerely can’t make the event, recommend someone who can. Hold your head high, present your case, and take the high road. If you’re drowned out by ad hominem attacks and epithets masquerading as “civil dialogue”, then shame on Tavis (and double-shame on the “open-minded”, “tolerant”, and “peace-loving” left-wing intellectuals). Don’t back down — and don’t get intimidated by the haters.
Duane Brayboy makes a sound point:
If Black Republicans are serious about getting more of the Black vote, they are going to have to become more aggressive in either getting into forums like this one, or initiating similar forums where Democrats are invited. Firing off an occasional press release adds no points to your cause (trust me, I delete them all the time). My suggestion: sponsor debates with Democrats in major cities across the US. Make sure you have a good moderator that knows how to keep the conversation focused and moving. Will Democrats go for this idea? Who knows? But at least the attempt is being made to make a fair and tested showing of your point of view.
Memo to Tavis: Cast a wider net for 2007. If you sincerely want conservative and libertarian panelists at next year’s SOTBU, don’t limit your choices to only black Republicans, as the GOP does not necessarily speak for all right-leaning blacks as a whole. Here’s a listing of good choices who, IMHO, would welcome a civil, reasoned discussion on black issues:
There’s plenty more names I can mention, but the above people are a good start.
Don’t just stop at “liberal” vs. conservative; invite more moderates. It was good to see Rev. Floyd Flake (who did a pretty good job of representing the centrist point-of-view); but there are more black moderate voices out there.
Also, invite self-made black tycoon Farrah Gray.
Those are my suggestions.
What do you think?
4 Responses to “An Invitation List for The State of the Black Union 2007”
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I preface this with the idea that I would want to see a real exchange not a side show:
Larry Elder — No. Just interested in the show.
Casey Lartigue — Not impressed by him at all.
Tony Brown — Good choice. He slams both sides. That’s why the Republican party doesn’t show case him although he is a Republican and has stated he is willing to help out.
La Shawn Barber — Doesn’t do well on television.
Niger Innis — Not intereest in true discussion.
Walter E. Williams — Good choice.
Shelby Steele — Good choice.
John McWhorter — Lightweight, IMO. But good to have on. I think he would highlight the use of ancedotes when convienent to his point.
Stanley Crouch — Decent choice. But if it comes to the mistakes of Republicans, look out.
Herman Cain — Just interested in throwing flames.
I’d like to see:
Earl Graves, Sr.
Glenn Loury.
Shannon Reeves.
Michelle Singletary.
Your opinion is noted.
Graves Sr. and Singletary are politically on the left despite their fiscal conservatism. I’ll pick them over any of The Usual Suspects any day of week, though.
Loury renounced conservatism. I’d group him with the centrists.
Reeves I’ll gladly accept as a suggested right-wing panelist. Excellent choice.
Personal nitpicking aside, I stand firm by my list of panelist suggestions from a broad spectrum of conservative and libertarian black voices. I believe they’ll show up for a civil dialogue if invited to next year’s SOTBU.
How about Dell Gines?
But I agree, a wider net would help.
How about the conservative woman columnist Star Parker?