Cornel West Goes In On Barack Obama Using MLK’s Bible To Take Oath (video)
I am so conflicted right now. Cornel West and Tavis Smiley are two men that one hand I respect heavily and on the other I despise. It’s as if these two ALWAYS have something to say. After a while, these public rants begin to come off disingenuous and as if they are in search of fame and acknowledgement. Their constant scrutiny and opposition of President Barack Obama seems to be the thing that is keeping these two relevant these days.
Sometime recently, Tavis Smiley held one of his televised forums that no one cared to watch and Cornel West stole the show with his “Barack Obama wrong for using MLK’s bible” diatribe. It’s a dang on shame that this is the only thing that has matriculated into the media from this forum. Another example of West and Smiley working together, dishing controversial remarks about the president in order to stay relevant. Check out what Papa Smurf had to say.
“Brother Martin Luther King, Jr., what you say about the New Jim Crow? What would say about the prison industrial complex? What would you say about the invisibility of so many of our prisoners, so many of our incarcerated — especially when 62 percent of them are there for soft drugs and not one executive of a Wall Street bank gone to jail,” ~ Cornel West
I guess Brother West. Let me be the first to say that Cornel West more times than not has very valid points. However, timing and delivery is EVERYTHING. Often times his message gets lost in his homeless appearance, drunken style rants, and overuse of words not commonly used. Dang Cornel, we know you smart, now use everyday English, not those words in the dictionary that we never had to learn while preparing for the S.A.T.
What are your thoughts on this?
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93 Responses to “Cornel West Goes In On Barack Obama Using MLK’s Bible To Take Oath (video)”
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My question is….where was Smiley and West when Bush, Clinton and Bush were Commander in Chiefs wreaking havoc carrying out the SAME agenda as our beloved President? Their timing speaks volumes and I can’t help but think of the divide and conquer tactic that has been used on our people primarily in this country as a tool to keep us powerless and to busy fighting each other over petty issues to notice.
One last thing….I am inclined to wonder, what was the difference in President Obama using Dr. Kings bible this time and why not perhaps at his initial inauguration. Many of you have said, and stressed that the King family suggested it. But why now? We have to open our eyes and be willing to think beyond what we see and think is so awesome because it was the weekend of MLK holiday. We all know that the King family is very political, perhaps this was a power move on their part and so, they were quiet because they have another agenda. Who wouldn’t want to be the owners of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Bible and to have it signed by the First Elected Afro-American President? Just when you think you know, you really have no idea. Let’s open up our eyes adn stop taking things for surface value as life has taught many of us that there is always a deeper meaning. Be Well My Brothers and Sisters.
As previously stated, there is no nexus between holding one accountable and being petty.
Reading all of the comments severeal things are clear. We love our President and the idea of him being held accountable by other civic leaders within our community looks as though Dr. West and Mr. Smiley are Anti-Obama. I don’t think that is true and if any of you have followed this matter, that has been going on since the announcement of our President, then Senator, the main argument that Dr. West and Mr. Smiley have been vocal about is holding him accountable. That accountability reaches farther than Afro-Americans. However, they were bold enough to be vocal about it and isn’t that what Dr. King did. He was vocal about the injustices of people that have been sidelined in life, the people that live within the margins of our society, the people who are all too often invisible. The truth of the matter is that that group of people are the poor, the dienfranchised, the disregarded, and all of the other groups of people that don’t meet to societal norm. While President Obama was campaigning, they encourgaed people to vote for him, however, they also said that in voting hi min office, we have to make sure that we hold him accountable. If any of you paid attention to the campaigns (Obama vs McCain and Obama vs Romney) all of their interest was geared toward middle American and to be more specific, middle-class america. This was prevelant on both sides and all Dr. West and Mr. Smiley are suggesting is that in your efforts to resolve the greaters issues that effect all of humanity, the poor have to be included. Go back and research the debates, look at the campaign and you too will see that neither party focused on the agenda of the poor in this country.
Most of us have only heard the speeches and some of us may have had the oppurtunity to be a student of Dr. West and the one thing that you will know if you ever get an opportunity to spend any great length of time with this man is that he is passionate about his calling in life and that is to be a voice for the voiceless, just as Dr. King and Malcom X and Medgar Ever and many other that fought and were assignated or died or were murdered in the name of justice for all of humanity. Many of you think this is money motivated in a effort to remain relevant, however, I think that if it was, they could have bowed out a long time ago, however when one is committed to the cause of justice, you keep fighting the good fight. Our President has a job to do and yes its a very political one. He carries the burden of managing this crime scence called America and although I may not support all of his agendas, what I am aware of is that he represents the entire country and even then his power is limited. So what must we do, fight the good fight on the local level and the state level and let him handle things on the federal level. The polls showed us supporting our President in record number back in 2008, however, when it was time to show up at the local polls, many of us were absent. We have to do our part and he, the President has to do his. Anytime you challenge the order of the day, the status quo or go aginst the grain, you are a threat to those in power and those that are in power will never hand it over voluntarily and Dr. King stated that. There are many that feel the same way that Dr. West and Mr. Smiley feel about the President and yes, they have been silent, hut what does that accomplish. I could support many of these arguments against the two brothers if they were just surfacing and challenging the President in an effort to make waves, but they have been challenging the system for years. They became problematic when they refused to back down and be silent about holiding our President and all publicly voted officials accountable to the people that put them in office. If you feel as though, they have become irrelevant and you ask, what have they done for the advancement of our people, consider yourself and ask, what have you do to advance the cause of our people and humanity as a whole.
Holding him accountable and being petty don’t have a nexus. I often criticize the president, too, but for using MLK’s Bible?
No.
What I’d like to know is, when were Cornell West or Tavis Smiley ever persecuted by the system of white supremacy and injustice that they rail against? NEVER. Quite the opposite. They are very much a part of it, West in his role as NPR talk show host and West in his role as Ivy League lecturer. Just because you’re black and offer a critique does not make you an activist and these two have confused public intellectualism with activism in a very pernicious and cynical attempt to remain relevant. I’ve not heard Medgar Evers widow criticize the President for using MLK’s bible. Nor have I heard John Lewis (who still has a plate in his head from he beatings he took as head of SNCC). And by he way, don’t be confused by this loud mouthed charlatan, It was MLK’s family that requested the President to use the bible and to sign it, though west would have you believe otherwise and that is incredbily dishonest.
I think Dr. West is insightful and his argument valid; but I am conflicted because his words suggest MLK’s Bible holds more meaning for the impoverished and the muted voices of our word, but neglects to express a solution. He articulates his frustration with the rhetoric of President Obama placing his hand on MLK’s Bible with no intention to resolve today’s injustices, and yet his venting does just the same. Very well said however hollow. Words filled with the problem he has and no suggestions to rectify the real issues he mentioned. They whither in the background as he rambles about a political act. That is injustice within itself, a distraction from the real issues. Almost political.
The King family was present. Congressman John Lewis was present. I’d be more interested if they had complaints.
BOOOOOO BOOOOO… SMH..As intelligent as he is the CRABS IN A BARREL syndrome did not escape him.
I respect them but I am so tired of these “intellectuals” talking the same yin yang they did in the 60′s and haven’t progressed since then
I think if most of us really studied our current presidents policies and personality we would be greatly disappointed at who and what he have co-signed to. I like many of you was an avid supporter of the president in 2008. I independently went to the “hood” and signed up many non-voters and was saddened to find that many who wanted to vote couldn’t because of tarnished arrest records. Unlike many of you I met/spent time with BO and his wife waaaay before they set foot in the White House and all that I will say is…..You think you know them……you have no idea. Cornell speaks from a place of hurt..not hate. Do some research. Their are many like Cornell who will not speak out. They won’t because of the backlash. Just know, when they leave office. Books will be written and stories will be told. Don’t be so quick to say that something is just “hate” or “jealousy”. Just wait you’ll see.
I am just curious to know that if any of the harsh critics actually heard what Dr. West was saying. I fully support our President, but I don’t agree with “everything” that he is doing either. At the end of the day, Mr. Obama is a politician (i.e. gun rights issue). I appreciated Dr. Wests’ opinion because it brought light to issues that are adversely and disproportionately affecting poor and black communities. I viewed this as a plea to our President to do more. Even though his commentary was directed towards the President, I somehow felt obliged to reassess myself, my goals and desires to see how I can contribute to the fight. As a successful black man, I am constantly reminded that I cannot rest on my laurels, I must continue to push the envelope, set new heights and strive for excellence. The fight is far from being over and there is absolutely nothing wrong with having high expectations of our leaders.
(the more I think about this, the madder I get, sorry) And what part of the struggle are you helping by having NEWT GINGRICH on the stage? The same Newt Gingrich that said black children could be janitors in schools and learn how to work?
Hell go dig Strom Thurmond and Jesse Helms up while you’re at it Tavis and Cornell. Crabs in a bucket syndrome extends to the so-called black intelligentsia I see.
So what part of the struggle is cooning for Newt Gingrich? “Me and Mista Charlie are Christian…I’m gut bucket Baptist Mr. Bones huh huh huh” Are you SERIOUS? *hands Dr. West some chalk for his lips*
I also highly resent the “I’m praying for him” line. No you aren’t praying for him, Dr. West that’s just a backhanded way of saying you’re praying against him. Yes Brother Theologian you know exactly what you mean by that. White evangelicals do the same thing. Sit down.
One word. Jealousy.
Love your site! Ms. Dineva *The Boss* Ross
It is hard to believe that this is the same man who gave us the brilliantly penned “Race Matters.” West disrespects King’s legacy with the greatest factual inaccuracy by stating, “He (King) died….what??? He was ASSASSINATED, and to Disnefy his murder and make it palatable for the audience at George Washington University speaks to West’s own troubling authenticity.
How many “passes” does he think he has left? I get it: Harvard in the 70′s, he’s 59 with a speaking tour schedule that would wear-out Lady Gaga, deeply disrespected by the Ivy League elite(recall Summers stated his work lacked scholarship*OUCH), and worst of all he had to team up with Tavis Smiley to keep the money right. Exhaling…we get it, Obama is the favored Prodigal son, who shows up almost out of nowhere and is welcomed; and you have toiled in the fields for decades and you get a collective eye-roll…him again.
Cornel & Tavis Smiley must’ve missed the talk when ur momma told u don’t discuss what goes on in your house & that u can talk about family but nobody else better not. He’s doing exactly what those white ppl like to see the family divided & u bashing ur own ppl. They already say blks don’t stick together & there confirming it. They both need to shut there mouths & stop bashing there family publicly. I look @ them both totally different now!
Didn’t the family ask the President to use the bible????
Although I feel Dr. West because what Obama stands for is not what Dr. King stood for- I find it a bit sad that we – Black folks- Can’t be UNITED as one at least in PUBLIC…I may not necessarily vote but I will never down Barack in front of others- esp those of another race. #UnitedFront
No He’s Not !
Can you please finish your praise dance you started on the radio show. Please
question…..What have Mr. West and Smiley done to advance the black agenda? answer….not a damn thing…At least with Barack…..he is trying to change things for all people.
@Darline lee
You gotta do your research b4 you start saying ignorent ish like Dr. West has done nothing to advance the African-American community. Look it up and you will know. SMH…We got to do better!
So without looking him up on google what do you think he has done for black people. Being a professor and a subject matter expert on the “struggle” is not doing something for black people. You should probably do some research. At the end of the day Cornell wants Obama to do something so unrealistic its funny. Black people is the problem with black people. Obama cant fix that. Every cousin you have out of work hanging out on the street, acting like the world owes him something has to help themselves first.
I agree with you completely. People love to attach themselves to these black “leaders” Cornell who. Tavis Smiley what. Neither of these men have help the unemployment rate amongst blacks. People dont realize that Cornell is a socialist. He wants to just pass out checks. He hates to admit we are our own enemy. I am upper middle class with no degree because I work hard. I refused to let having a child in college and being black stop me from proving that I am just better than the average person. When we stop expecting and start doing we will improve as a race. Even if its harder… its possible.
He needs to GO IN and get groomed! Looking like he is stuck in the 60′s era!
There are some that thought once Obama, “the brother,” got into office, he would be giving those clowns the “hook up,” or special favors due to the color of their skin and now they mad. They are an embarassment and it is shame that supposedly intelligent individuals like Dr. West have to down others to make themselves look good, shucking and jiving for the 25/20s.
HATER!!!!
I’m so over them 2……. The Family ask POTUS to Sign The Bible and he did!!! Now swallow that west & smiley and stand y’all ass in a corner!! The man cant catch a break if it ain’t Boehner it’s Trump not these clowns can’t get nowhere if we dont stand by him 100 grand instead of trying to find wrong in his hard work!!!
I heard what Mr. West said. The King family asked President Obama to use Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Bible. I would not have turned them down….that was an honor (sidenote: The King family then asked President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts to sign the Bible). He should have respected their request. Second, I get perturb with Dr. West and Mr. Smiley some times. They seem to think that they are the only legitimate torchbearers of Dr. King’s legacy.
How about this.What if he took it a step further and opened the Bible and read from it?
Wtf is his problem
Will someone please tell the “Crazed Man” to have a seat, NO ONE is Checking For Him or Spike Lee….How Sad.
that mf is scarry..!!! cornell needs to sit his demonic lookin ass ‘ married to a white woman ass downnnnn ……!!!
Is it me? Or is West and Smiley still mad they campaigned for POTUS in 2008 and didn’t get the administration positions they felt they deserved for just showing their face! People like myself who left our homes worked harder than they did! Get over it! Stop profiting off of poverty and do something cause you know he got paid to sit on that panel! Right next to Gingrich who said that inner city kids need to be put to work in their schools as janitors!! SMH…
They did not campaign for President Obama in 2008. They backed Hillary Clinton. If you remember, Tavis Smiley was first pissed at then Senator Barack Obama for not announcing his bid for Presidency at his STATE OF THE BLACK UNION conference/show that was shown on C-SPAN. Second, remember he quit the Tom Joyner Morning Show because the listeners did not agree (even Tom Joyner) with Tavis’ dogging Senator Obama and blatantly telling the listeners that they were fools for backing Obama over Clinton.
Open yall eyes and ears.
Ugh I’m so over black folks and the Obama kool aid. If you are an advocate for black America then you have to advocate. THe idea that Dr. West and Tavis et all should be quiet because the president is black is completely ignorant… and these same people telling them to shut up are the ones who wonder why black unemployment is still twice that of whites, why we still have the war on drugs, and why black schools are falling apart… I don’t care if Barack is blue black or the re-incarnation of Martin Luther King or whatever I need policy not propaganda!
I couldn’t have said this any better!
Well said.
And I’m so over this comment. Smiley and West are not advocating, they are criticizing. There are those of us who do not agree with President Obama and some of his policies, but constantly belittling him and finding fault does not add anything to the conversation. Smiley and West have a forum to offer solutions. Instead they use it to whine and cry. I think there is some jealousy and envy involved. As far as white folks having less unemployment than blacks and better schools, you obviously do not know black history and the struggle we have been in and are still in trying to overcome. Did you not just see the attempt to suppress the vote? Do you not keep up with current events and read or hear about the legislatures in blue states to reallocate the electoral votes? We are always fighting to overcome something that cheaters and beaters throw our way. Educate yourself before you offer CRITISMS and come down on a people you don’t know anything about.
what the fuck is wrong with Tavis Smiley & Dr. West? what’s the problem about President Obama using Dr. King’s Bible? Really? these two niggas need to have a seat and find something safe to do!
Cornel West spoke the truth but if The Kings Family liked it I love it
enough that Obama has here shit from the white man in the white house …..and now he’s got to here from the black man just because he use dr. King Bible….I dont think Dr. King rolling over in his grave just because he use his bible this….OMG!
Our President cannot catch a break. He gets it from both ends. This man is MLK’s dream come alive period. He can’t fix all the problems that exist, but forgive me for believing in the man that we the people put into office…twice, will give his all to make some changes.
Smh its sad
have several seats dr west
I don’t think that Dr.West was bashing the president he wasn’t disrespectful with his arguement. He addressed issues that he has with the president using Dr. Kings bible I got what he was saying, just because the inauguration fell on a king holiday don’t take Dr. Kings ideologies lightly. When you go against the grain and think freely then you are viewed as a threat. I love Dr. West and I support our president to many sheep in the world
Im confused on what the problem is. isnt the position the President is in one of the things MLK was working for so it makes sense for Barack to use it. I bet if Martin was alive he would honored that he used it.
I feel no conflict at all. Cornell west, Tavis Smiley and Jesse have long lost my respect. They have proven to be jealous and truly disingenuious. They may have done a few things back in the day but what have you done for me lately as janet would say. i can’t with these people. the only one who turned out to be worth while was al sharpton the one none of us really expected to stick around. shame on him and tavis. they are transparent and actually presenting a very dangerous message to our brothers and sisters. 1. being crabs the crabs in a barrel philosophy, and 2. trying to push these fake ass issues and think that we are dumb enought to buy all this rhetoric! it’s insulting.
It’s obvious that most ppl only read the headline and didn’t watch the video before commenting. Even though I disagree with Dr. West, all of his points are valid. & he is not an Obama hater whatsoever. He explains that in the video as well. WATCH THE VIDEO!
I understand that Dr. West frustration but being a civil rights leader versus the president of United States are two jobs that are not interchangeable and you cannot have the same expectations
And what is Cornel West doing for Black America? I used to respect this man. I even have some of his speeches.
The family asked him to. They said that they were honored!
Cornel needs to have several seats. he’s doing too much and if the King family didn’t have a problem with it, who is HE to question President Obama using the bible for the inauguration?
Wow !
he is jus tWRONG for that hair. In 2013, he still wearing Jim Crowe hair, so please go somewhere
I feel the same conflict as I respect Dr. Cornel West (Tavi$, not so much), but what right does this man have to challenge Obama’s commitment to Martin Luther Kings Legacy or his understanding thereof. Secondly, King’s family approved and surrendered King’s Bible for Obama’s use so for Cornel West to say “This is personal for me…”, guess what, it’s even more personal for King’s family.
I am with him on the drone policy and about doing something meaningful about poverty in America, but once again, Cornel is in a room full of white folks and disgruntled Negros who did not get their inauguration invites and in my opinion his statement is true to his recent form, tacky, and opportunistic.
By the way, how many job fairs, food drives, and health clinics has this so called “Poverty Tour” of his brought to your city, because it’s starting to look like a roaming olympics of verbal masterbators and book peddlers to me? IJS
You are so right…..loved this post.
If he doesn’t like President Obama, why did he watch the inaguration!? He just wanted something to rant about.
There is a fine line between genius and crazy… Dr. West has crossed that line. I’m sorry, but to get mad at President Obama for using the bible that Dr. King’s family asked him to use is ridiculous. Dr. King marched so that Obama could be President.
#letitgo
can’t please EVERYBODY know matter what position(s) you hold or who you are.
He’s giving me too much right now! I can’t!!
even i have to agree!
That’s Mr. West’s opinion and he IS entitled to it, that’s the beauty of living in America!!
A lot of idiocies n unwanted attention I don’t see the big deal when it said n done he already did it. If my mind serve me right he was praising obama not too long ago bt because he choose mlk Bible he need to b discredit n bash wow
Why do he care..It’s not his business…Martin Luther King family didn’t seem to mind him using it so sthu!!!!!!
Somebody tell him and Spike Lee’s ignorant hating azz to have several seats immediately!
I will be glad when WE start loving and uplifting each other rather then tearing each other down. Trying to Make bad of everything this man does. One thing is for sure he isnt Superman OR God so stop treating him like he is. President Obama is a man. When we stop hating OUR own maybe then others will stop hating us. Makes me sick. The president has the US and the world on his shoulders. I’m sure he spends the majority of his nights hurting for the nation and whats happening on top of trying to trying to be strong for his family. Of course he cares about any child that dies. Or any person who loses their life. Get in the community and tell those BOYS to stop killing each other. Stop killing their own. Cut that crap out. And MLK family had no issue with him using that bible. What is the big deal. Cornell Go somewhere and Take a NAP. Stop hating your own. Like ALona said above. Black on Black Hate is so Ugly.
Every thing that negro says is wrong, and verbosely belligerent. Somebody need to put his old creaky ass in a home. That’s why Harvard wanted to get rid of him. Every where he goes he burns bridges. Ain’t got the sense…. to shut up sometimes. He need to learn some respect and come meet us in 2013, cause he still somewhere marching on Washington in his mind.
It’s not that I agree but I’d been a fool to say i don’t see and understand his frustrations
Some times people can over think things!!!! I hope y’all can see an attention whore when it’s right in your face
cornel west is a very smart man
Dr. King stood for change and unity, so what he cried for the white babies! Can’t nobody cry for the white babies too. Negros need to stop being so prejudice. Don’t confuse Dr. King with the early Malcolm X… and our government is not what it used to be. I think Dr. King would be proud in some ways.
it’s not hate. i haven’t read the articles yet but i will say this, when i heard about dr king’s bible it didn’t sit too well with me either. to make a long story short, i feel like dr king’s mission was very clear. He fought for civil rights in a nonviolent way. Why is a man (black, white, purple whatever) who hasn’t pulled the plug on his own countries violent acts against others being sworn in on THIS bible? Not to mention the aid we give other countries to be violent. The two of them being compared never sat well with me. Just find another bible
What if Dr.Kings family wanted him to use the bible. Then what?
All i can say is thanks for the 411 cause i didn’t know these folks be talking trash like this on our president….they better watch out this is his last term and they have no idea about this man and his tolerance for the bullsh@t….just saying
AMEN…somebody FINALLY speaking on the REAL TRUTHS of Martin Luther King Jr., segragation was a very small portion of what Martin stood/died for!!!! Again let the Church say AMEN!!!! #THE REAL TRUTH SHALL SET US ALL FREE (MENTALLY&PHYSICALLY)
I love it when Shane B Johnson rants about the hypocrisy and idiocracy of Cornell and Tavis.
He havent said anything wrong… If you really go back and research the life of Dr. King, you’d see that Dr. King and Malcolm X would be lashing out toward this Administration… From poverty, to war, to these drones being dropped on brown skin kids in the Middle East… How he cries over the death of 20 white suburban kids.. While many are being killed in Chicago daily, and no tear has been shed over that… This generation is afraid to speak up, and fight back…like the generals did in times past… And when someone does speak up, all of a sudden they are hatin’??? Lets get it together!!!!
Spoken like a true King!
Cornell West’s hair is laid like a dust mop!
That’s one ignorant nigga
She needs to get her hair LAID!!!
Why yall let Fredrick Douglass act like that?
So Dr King’s work and sacrifices weren’t for the President too? Gtfoh if Dr King’s family had no problem with it! Who cares what Cornel West thinks!
Jealousy!!
Black on Black hate is so ugly!
Good article discussing this. http://thesmugger.com/on-lupe-tavis-cornell-barack/
Cornel West and Tavis Smiley..Do us a favor and PLEASE KILL YOURSELF!!!
Pot calling kettle black, no pun intended!
Somebody get him a pi for that tight arse hair.
he needs to stfu and have a damn SEAT!!