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An Open Letter to Tavis Smiley

Dear Tavis,

I heard about your imminent departure from The Tom Joyner Morning Show. You apparently couldn't take the heat generated by your comments about Barack Obama. While I don't have the pleasure of listening to you on a daily basis, I know you're commentary will be missed by some -- especially your soon-to-be former boss, Mr. Joyner.

I'd like to say that I'm shocked by your decision, but I'm not. Most people who've deemed themselves to be all-knowing have a hard time dealing with dissension. You've always portrayed yourself as a man who speaks for the people. My question is and has always been, which ones? You've never really spoken for me or any of my friends.

Your State of the Black Union address usually brings up some very good points. However, it's never marketed to the people who actually need the information. If you're so concerned about "the people," why would you broadcast it on CSPAN, the one station most folks don't watch? In addition, you invite a cast of characters that speak eloquently on the issues, but we never see them afterwards.

Here's what I think -- you got mad at Barack for not recognizing you as the Black Leader you've positioned yourself to be. When you made your feelings known and people shot you down, you acted like a spoiled kid on the playground. Since you couldn't have your way, you just took your ball and went home.

Are you kidding me? If you're calling yourself a commentator, you have to realize that people aren't going to agree with you all the time. There will be times when you'll stand alone. It's par for the course. Jesus came to save the world, and they crucified Him. Not that I'm comparing you to my savior in any way, shape, or form, but you get the picture.

The real problem here is that you started to believe your own press. You thought that you were wonderful, above reproach, some sort of modern-day civil rights activist. In the immortal words of my step-father, you over-sported yourself. Now you're stomping off the air to lick your wounds and pout.

I, for one, am glad to see you go. Your pompous arrogance has polluted America's airwaves long enough. In addition, your blatant abuse of English diction has bugged me for a long time. The word isn't "par-tic-u-LAR-ly," it's "par-TIC-u-lar-ly." Please get it together.

MD

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