When I was around 14 years old, a freshman in high school at the time, I would have to wake extra early to get ready for school because my mom would have to drop me off before she went to work.
During those early morning car rides my mom and I would always listen to the Tom Joyner Morning Show for the jokes, the laughter, and most off all for brother Tavis Smiley. Smiley was the voice of black America for me. He represented the best of what African-Americans had to offer and if black America was a human being he had his finger on our collective pulse.
Smiley was at times poignant, always forceful, and showed the strength needed to stand up for what was important to black folk. In fact the term “black folk” was endearing to my young ears. For me it showed that Tavis really cared about “black folk” because he used it as a term of endearment.
In my eyes brother Tavis Smiley could do no wrong. I would sit and watch his “State of the Black Union” events like it was the Super Bowl and sometimes watched them like old re-runs of a favorite TV show.
Simply put, I loved Smiley.
Smiley lit a fire inside me that has never been extinguished. That fire represents a want and need to help the afflicted ones, those who have no voice politically. I take it as my duty to inform those around me about the things that are important to their communities and their lives.
While Smiley isn’t as popular with black Americans now as he was when I was a young teenager I still credit his voice with helping to spark my political interest.
For some young black folk, we still have an issue with becoming politically involved. Back in 2008 it was cool to wear an Obama t-shirt and yell “Yes We Can” but that coolness only started after the name Obama became household and popular.
Before we yelled that our President was black we were driving the bus to the White House for Hillary Clinton. Our support for the Clintons was grounded in the title that former President Bill Clinton was the first black President and that he and his wife did so much for the black community that we owed them an almost unpayable debt.
While I have much respect and admiration for the Clintons I still remember Mr. Clinton’s vehement support for the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” law and the welfare reform act of 1996.
For President Obama we act as guardians for his Presidency. If he’s criticized for anything some black people automatically charge it to Republican bitterness or right wing lunacy. All criticisms against President Obama aren’t wrong and shouldn’t be jettisoned so soon. It’s ok to like and believe in what he stands for while at the same time offering healthy assessments of his performance.
Within our community we have the vicious habit of blindly following politicians for their charisma and that’s dangerous.
Back in 2008 young black voters had the highest turnout in the Presidential election than any other ethnic group. According to information from the Census Bureau over 55 percent of black people between the ages of 18 and 24 came out to the polls to vote. That’s an 8 percent increase from 2004.
No doubt our turnout was partly fueled by having the chance to vote for a black President but it was also due to the feeling that black people finally had a tangible piece of government with President Obama.
But for the salvation of our political souls and the way in which we vote and pursue black politicians the path that we walk is dimly lit and littered with ambivalent politicians.
Rick Scott isn’t the only bad politician in this state. For black residents on the west side of Orlando there is a black man failing you each and everyday in the Florida state House and his name is Gary Siplin.
The jobless rate for black folk in the state of Florida was 17 percent last year and the unemployment rate for black men over the age of 20 was 16 percent in March. Both numbers are all too high and we still have politicians who turn a blind eye to what we believe is most important.
In addition to the state’s employment crisis Governor Rick Scott recently changed the way people are allowed to vote and how unemployment works in the state of Florida.
If we stand on the sidelines any longer without taking action we only have ourselves to blame for a future that’s filled with bleakness.
In the great community of Pine Hills our barbershops were raided by Orange County Sheriff Office deputies wielding guns and drug sniffing dogs and we let it pass like a loud thief in the night. A black man by the name of Jerry Demings runs that department but will our support change for him because of the raids or will it remain the same because crime in Pine Hills is lower?
As cliché as this may sound our communities, our neighborhoods, our cities, and our states are under attack and its not by those living next door to us. It’s by the men and women we elect to represent our interest in city hall, Tallahassee, and Washington D.C.
When Tavis wanted to show love to the black community he would always refer to us as “black folk.” Well to my young black brothers and sisters take this as my black folk moment to you.
Watch those you vote for and always remember that the interest of your community is what’s at stake and not that of the politician you voted to represent your district.
-JH
