The State of the Black Union
Tavis Smiley, The African-American Radio & TV Personality, has moderated The State of the Black Union for 10 years. I caught a glimpse of it on C-Span on Saturday. There were a number of leading African American Participants on a panel talking about civil rights and the obligations of African Americans not to "rest" now the Barack Obama was President. Rather, they all seemed to agree that the real work and the struggle continues.
Al Sharpton was his usual, vocal self. There was one comment he made that I think was true and "right on". He related the story of a discussion he had with a conservative African American. The gentleman noted that he rose to the level he had because of his impressive resume and Civil Rights had nothing to do with his achievements. True to form, Al Sharpton's response to him was that Civil rights did not get you to where you are today, but Civil Rights was the reason that you resume was reviewed and the opportunities was given to you. When he said it, the entire audience rose up to applaud him, including Michael Steele, the new Chair of the Republican National Committee. It is the greatest legacy of Civil Rights and the struggle and sacrifice of African Americans beginning with Fredrick Douglas onward so that all Americans will have an equal chance to succeed.
Al Sharpton was his usual, vocal self. There was one comment he made that I think was true and "right on". He related the story of a discussion he had with a conservative African American. The gentleman noted that he rose to the level he had because of his impressive resume and Civil Rights had nothing to do with his achievements. True to form, Al Sharpton's response to him was that Civil rights did not get you to where you are today, but Civil Rights was the reason that you resume was reviewed and the opportunities was given to you. When he said it, the entire audience rose up to applaud him, including Michael Steele, the new Chair of the Republican National Committee. It is the greatest legacy of Civil Rights and the struggle and sacrifice of African Americans beginning with Fredrick Douglas onward so that all Americans will have an equal chance to succeed.
Mike Pouraryan
