Posts Tagged ‘Tavis Smiley’

Rick Ross

1991, Rev. Jesse Jackson asked the question “is hip hop music educating or eroding young minds.”

1992, the Parents Music Resource Center was instrumental in applying public pressure and forcing rapper Ice-T to recall his album and remove the song “Cop Killer” from it. Various law enforcement organizations pledged to also boycott Time Warner the parent company and distributor for its role in releasing the music.

1995, the Anti-Defamation League applied pressure on Michael Jackson regarding the anti-semitic lyrics originally contained in the song “They Don’t Care About Us.” Jackson publicly apologized and then re-recorded/reissued the song sans the lyrics which contained the k-word.

The National Congress for Black Women received great coverage and acclaim in many arenas for the fight of C. Delores Tucker against misogyny in hip hop. In fact, their website claims the following:

“We lead the assault against Gangsta Rap and misogynistic lyrics that are directed towards African American youth and women and threaten the moral foundation of the family.”

2003, Minister Louis Farrakhan challenged the hip hop community to be responsible in their lyrical imagery.

2007, Rev. Al Sharpton led a rally/march in front of the record label offices decrying the worst lyrical offerings of hip hop.

2011, Tavis Smiley argued on Real Time with Bill Maher that “If you think that the way we treat women in this country, with patriarchy still alive and well, sexism still alive and well, is determinative or demonstrative of how well our democracy runs, I think you don’t understand how maltreated women are still in this society.” In 2012, Smiley convened another one of his many and varied townhall forums, one particularly focused around women and poverty, arguing this country has rendered both invisible.

I use all of that as a precursor in the controversy over the date rape lyrics of rapper Rick Ross in his latest song.

“Put Molly all in her champagne, she ain’t even know it. I took her home and I enjoyed that, she ain’t even know it.”

The term ‘molly’ refers to a pure form of the drug MDMA.

Although the drug culture, misogyny and violence have long been featured in hip hop, date rape signals uncharted territory.

I’ve given you the history, now it’s time for roll call in 2013.

Sadly, The National Congress for Black Women which fancies itself as leading “the assault against Gangsta Rap and misogynistic lyrics that are directed towards African American youth and women and threaten the moral foundation of the family” ISN’T leading this fight and as of yet have not joined in the battle.  I’m not saying I’m in the lead.  I am saying though as I look left and right, the NCBW isn’t anywhere to be found…yet.

NCBW, where are you now?

Parents Music Resource Center, where are you now?

Rev. Jesse Jackson…where are you and the Rainbow Push Coalition right about now?

Rev. Al Sharpton, you have a larger platform and audience than ever before, thanks to MSNBC. It begs the question…where are you now?

Minister Louis Farrakhan also in 2011 said Rihanna was “filthy” but as of yet has had nothing to say in 2013 about Rick Ross and date rape. Minister Louis Farrakhan, where are you and the Nation of Islam now, or should I make the leap that violence against women is of lesser importance than the nature of stage performances BY women?

Tavis Smiley, where are you or have you moved on to the next pet issue now?

The National Organization for Women has long implored all of America to take rape seriously. Where are you NOW…now?

Students are leading the way, boycotting his performances and that’s the first order of business. Rick Ross’ major concert date on April 12 at the Nassau Coliseum should be the next focal point in demonstrating that date rape has no place in our music or in our society. Supporting Rick Ross, Maybach Music Group, and its partners for Rick Ross projects (Warner Bros. and Def Jam) is supporting date rape and there’s no way to circumvent this fact.

Every radio station which plays this song is supporting date rape and must be held accountable.

For all those who are quick to suggest that this is a First Amendment issue, let me head you off at the pass. This is not about whether Ross has a right to rap about date rape. This is about whether we as a community will support it through purchase of concert tickets, radio airplay or iTunes downloads. Rick Ross has the right to be an idiot and express himself as such in his music. Conversely, we also have the right to not allow it in our homes, or in our lives.

I’m beginning to think Steubenville, OH taught America absolutely nothing at all. Speak up, speak out. Silence is complicity. Date rape has no place in our music or our society.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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So I guess we’ve moved on from poverty?

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“I think we have to be very honest, let us not be deceived: Nixon, Bush, Obama, they’re war criminals.  They have killed innocent people in the name of the struggle for freedom, but they’re suspending the law, very much like Wall Street criminals. The law is suspended for them, but the law applies for the rest of us. You and I, brother Tavis, if we kill an innocent person we go to jail, and we’re going to be in there forever.”

Dr. Cornel West on Smiley & West

Full story HERE

Not surprisingly as heard in the audio, co-host Tavis Smiley readily agrees.

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Mo’Kelly’s quick take:

Yes, there are things that the president is empowered to do and may do that we as ordinary citizens can not.  Every president has called for military action which results in the deaths of civilians.  Every…single…one.  But…grouping President Obama with the president most responsible for the expansion of the Vietnam war or the president responsible for the start of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is a dishonest juxtaposition by every reasonable yardstick.  Hopefully nobody supports the killing of innocents or civilians, but this argument by Dr. West is downright disingenuous.

Bill Clinton and Kosovo really did happen too.  Do I really need to go any further?

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Tavis Smiley

From EURWEB.com

Three of its (Tavis Smiley show’s) top executives have purportedly resigned in unison this past Friday. Neal Kendall (executive producer), Luke Sader (talent producer) and Stephanie Storey (producer).

Some sources have suggested to EURweb that the resignations came after years of acrimony between the staff and the host over differing visions of program direction and quality of show bookings. Speculation has abounded for years as to Smiley’s supposed demanding management style and whether it played a factor in the employees’ decision to leave; or whether the departures were amicable in nature.

The production team was most recently responsible for Smiley’s “Visions for a New America” which aired live on C-Span January 17 from George Washington University.  It is not known whether the rather tepid media coverage prior to the broadcast or subsequent ratings impacted the departures.

The alleged resignations ironically come during this, the tenth anniversary of the television program.

Full story HERE.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Audio HERE!

Mo’Kelly’s formal statement:
I want to be absolutely clear about how and why we’ve come to this moment; why this has become a national story.  Here are some facts and some perspective.  When Tom Joyner blogged that Dr. West was Tavis’ ”sidepiece“…I said nothing publicly.  When Steve Harvey called Tavis and Dr. West ”Uncle Toms“ I had no public comment.  When Najee Ali picketed and protested at Smiley’s building (both times) in 2012 I had no public comment, on either occasion.  Even more recently (Sunday), when MSNBC’s Melissa Harris Perry likened Tavis to the Black nurse during the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, I neither commented nor highlighted it.

All of the aforementioned were low-hanging fruit and I said nothing.

I could have easily piggy-backed on any or all of those if the goal were to simply snipe at him.  There have never been any opportunistic slams of Tavis on my part…ever.  I don’t support any name-calling and I’ve never wavered from the issues.  Tavis has released a number of books on poverty, and his story about “Failing Up”  I’ve said nothing. I haven’t engaged in tearing down anything and all things “Tavis.”  There is no such history.

Tavis has appeared on FOX News programs more times this calendar year than I have made any public comments about him in 2 + years since leaving his employ.

It is what it is…make of it what you will.

I tell the truth and go from there.  My speaking out in reference to the flawed premise of the “Budweiser SuperFest Poverty Concert Tour” or NOT speaking out previously had nothing to do with any non-disclosure agreement.  This was a conscious decision born of conscience and well-within my rights.

(Do note, Tavis has offered nothing in response to my critique to rebut or debunk the authenticity of my arguments, which is his right but deserves highlighting.)

If Tavis had an issue with my public remarks, the reasonable response would have been picking up the phone and calling me.  Instead he chose to call his lawyer.  He could have easily engaged in constructive dialogue and offered a substantive defense of his upcoming poverty forum in this contest of ideas…but chose another route.

It is what it is…make of it what you will.

This is far from personal on my part.  If there is animosity, it’s not from me.  If someone is “disgruntled” it CLEARLY is not me for all the ignored opportunities listed above.

The facts are clearly on my side in this discussion and my work is public and available for all to review.  I wish Tavis Smiley well in his endeavors and a Merry Christmas.  He will continue his work and I will continue to dwell comfortably within my purpose and profession.

I have moved on…so should he.

Thank you for your TREMENDOUS support in the recent days and weeks.  You guys and gals are absolutely wonderful.

Now, on to the next…

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Niele Anderson

Be sure to check out Mo’Kelly on The Urban Post Worldwide Radio Show, hosted by Niele Anderson LIVE at 3pm Tuesday PST as I discuss the African-American political agenda, the First AME Church controversy and of course…the “Smilin’” elephant in the middle of the room.

Listen & Watch the show at: www.rmconair.com
http://rmconair.com/shows/the-urban-post-worldwide-radio-show

About Urban Post and Niele Anderson:

Niele Anderson is a native of Los Angeles, California.  She was born on November 17, and furthered her formal
education at Grambling State University where she majored in Mass Communication.

In1999 in her grandparents back bedroom Niele launched P.L.B. Media Inc. with the goal of promoting the positive
instead of the negative for the African American community. Nobody but her and her grandmother knew it but she thought, “for now my and Nana’s prayers are enough”.

In 2004 she became the National Field Coordinator for Rock the Vote where she was part of a movement to help register over 1.4 million youth to vote and help mobilize over 20 million youth to vote in the 2004 election.

Next she began her start in radio with Radio One where she had the opportunity to work with the legendary Cathy
Hughes. She hosted a weekly Gospel / Community show on 100.3 The Beat/V100 from 2004 until the station was sold in 2007. Working not only in radio but also on TV One’s the Gospel of Music with Jeff Majors.  She then joined the staff of the historic Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper and preceded Virgie Murray as Religion Editor. For a short period she joined 93.5 KDAY/The Beat as the On Air Personality of Inspire Sundays and Public/Gospel Affairs Director for the station.

On February 1,2010 in honor of Black Heritage Month Niele’s company P.L.B. Media Inc. launched The Urban Post
Worldwide, an Internet news, information and lifestyle source. She states, I want to hear more information and positive stories in media regarding African Americans. The goal is to be the Afro-CNN with an urban twist (she laughs).  God has placed me around a lot of influential people and I plan to use it for good.”

Niele clients have included the Los Angeles Sentinel, Radio One, TV One, Donate Life, the Los Angeles Clippers, Magic Broadcasting and more.

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Aw suki suki!

Tuesday at 4:15am PST/7:15am EST, Mo’Kelly will be interviewed by TJMS correspondent Roland Martin, given the latest news surrounding the (ahem) “disagreement” between Mo’Kelly and former employer Tavis Smiley.

Aw suki suki!

(Note: Due to recent news in Newtown, CT the interview is still fluid in nature and subject to change. I will forward any and all information as I have it in the event of a rescheduling.)

More at BlackAmericaWeb.com

The Mo’Kelly Report is a syndicated politics and entertainment journal. Visit http://mrmokelly.com for the latest from Mr. Mo’Kelly. Tune into The Mo’Kelly Show Saturdays from 6-8pm PDT on KFI AM640 and XM 166 Saturdays and Sundays from 8pm-9pm PST. Contact Mo’Kelly at mrmokelly@gmail.com.

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Tavis Smiley

“A clash between two outspoken media personalities has heated up to the point where the lawyer for public TV showman and “poverty tourist” Tavis Smiley sent radio commentator and blogger Mo’Kelly a “cease and desist” letter demanding that he stop talking and writing bad about him!

Mo’Kelly — whose complete name is Morris W. O’Kelly — has been critical of Smiley’s and Cornel West’s ongoing national anti-poverty campaign.

Mo’Kelly, a 43-year-old graduate of Georgetown University who grew up in South Los Angeles, has used his KTLK-AM 1150 radio show, “Mo’Kelly in the Morning,” to comment and opine about the social and political activities of just about every Black person in the local and national news, including Smiley and West. And he has blogged his opinions about everything, including the pair’s motives, on his Mo’Kelly Report column which appears on various websites.”

Full Story HERE!

Related: The Lies of R. Kelly (and His ‘Truth’) for 25.95

Mo’Kelly Goes in on Tavis 11.16.12 – “Premise Vs. Process”

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