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Tavis Smiley Says that We Should Get in the Way!
by Tavis Smiley
My grandmother used to always encourage me to “get in the way.” That was her way of telling me that well behaved folk rarely get things done. Especially when it comes to challenging the political power structure.
Sure, there is a price to pay for trying to tell the truth, but isn’t there an even higher price to pay for living a lie?
In this election season, how many of us are living a lie by remaining silent and static about things that should matter — practicing a politics of convenience and cowardice, rather than a politics of courage and conviction?
We know that 150 million Americans are living in or near poverty, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know that all children deserve access to an equal, high quality education, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know that folk need a “living wage”, not this shameful “minimum wage”, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know that gun violence in poor communities is run amok, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know that people across America are going hungry, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know too many folk who are unemployed and underemployed, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know that too many seniors have to make an unfathomable choice between food and medicine, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know fellow citizens who have no access to transportation, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know, and can actually feel, that something is wrong in the environment, but we choose not to get in the way.
We know that mothers and children are falling fastest into poverty, but we choose not to get in the way.
Poverty, much of it abject poverty, is the new American norm. How much longer can we choose not to get in the way?
In just a matter of days, the U.S. Census Bureau is expected to report out that poverty in America is on track to climb to levels unseen in nearly half a century. We expect to be told that suburbs, underemployed workers and our precious children are being hit the hardest. This grim news will hit just as the sprint from Labor Day to Election Day gets underway.
What will President Obama and Governor Romney have to say about this ominous and dark cloud hanging over the most prosperous nation on the globe (with the lowest minimum wage in the Western world)? Heck, will it even come up in the presidential debates? The last time around, we endured three debates between Obama and McCain where the words “poor” or “poverty” didn’t even come up. Not once. The candidates never raised it, and the moderators never asked about it. With poverty now contesting the dignity and humanity of so many fellow citizens, we’ll see what happens this time around.
Do we truly believe that every American citizen deserves access to life’s basic necessities?
If so, then it’s time to get out of our respective lanes. It’s time for somebody to get in the way.
Nancy
August 23, 2012 at 1:29 am
I agree with your commentary, but my question is for me,How do I get in the way…I’m ready.
FRUSTRATED !!!!
August 23, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Very well said Travis. I agree. Now this is the question
I HAVE. If I vote at all who do I vote for? I do feel it
is my responsibilty to vote after lives and beatings was
place on others just for the right to vote. This what I
am faced with. Democrats (Obama) allowed 1.7 millon
mexicans to become citizens when American are faced daily with no jobs. As you know he believes in same sex
marriages.Republicans (Romney) believes that satan was
Jesus Christ’s Brother. He does not believe in the trinity,therefore he is not a christian. These are only a few things I have problems with both. what is your answer???
FRUSTRATED
time
August 23, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Tavis, very well said and just to mention you were one of my favorite news commentator until something got in the way. It wasn’t because you weren’t for the Obama’s because I wasn’t easy sold either. It was the black forum. I loved them and I watched them faithfully until something got in the way. I’m not one that believes we have to someone to tell us how to help somebody else im sure I can manage. I was disappointed that there was not a collective plan. In my mind in order for any real changes can be made we have implement a plan such as the honorable Elijah Muhammad, im not say his plan but some that’s inclusive. Enough of that I agree with your statement now how to do we executed it
Jim
August 24, 2012 at 9:14 am
‘My grandmother used to always encourage me to “get in the way.” That was her way of telling me that well behaved folk rarely get things done. Especially when it comes to challenging the political power structure.’
This is a false choice-as Ghandi and Dr. King demonstrated, well behaved people can get things done, including helping to bring about societal change. In fact, the Bible gives the following exhortation:
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12English Standard Version (ESV)
11 and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12 so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.
david jones
August 24, 2012 at 10:26 am
tavis, havn’t seen you around lately in your quest to make obama a one term president so your girl hillary can run against romney in 2016. i’m sure she already promised you a position in her cabinet. lol
David W. Johnson Jr.
August 31, 2012 at 3:53 pm
I Totally Agree With Tavis Smiley. We Should Get In The Way Of These Racist Pieces Of Trash That’s Trying To Destory African Americans. If President Obama Doesn’t Get Re-elected I Am Going To Do A Lot More Than What I Am Currently Doing Everyday To Save Our Race. If President Obama Is Re-elected These Racist Pieces Of Trash But Not Kill Him.