Following his declared philosophy of being accessible, Tavis Smiley is constantly on the road, traveling every weekend, giving speeches and participating in forums. His most recent foray is a campaign for his new book, The Covenant with Black America, and he chose to make his first stop in North St. Louis.
The Kennerly Temple Church of God In Christ overflowed outside the sanctuary on Monday with people eager to hear this multifaceted, sometimes controversial TV and radio talk show host and prolific author, who declares that his ministry is trying to enlighten, encourage and empower people. Dwayne Wickham of USA Today calls Smiley “arguably the nation’s most influential black journalist,” adding that “of the eight books he has authored, none has garnered the attention and offered the promise of having broad sustainable impact like The Covenant.”
Smiley, 41, who also has been described as more media mogul than journalist, has certainly been enterprising. Buoyed by his demonstrated ability to influence African-American consumerism as well as activism, he has positioned himself as a major influence among an emerging group of young African-American thinkers and leaders. Granted, Smiley comes off to some as a flim-flam artist, but the collection of ideas set forth in his new book offer a legitimate opportunity for us to create “the world we want for generations to come.”
We welcome his ambitious ideas about a “covenant with Black America,” which he presents as a national plan of action to address the primary concerns of African Americans today. Smiley says this plan is a “roadmap and a reminder that it is our responsibility as an entire community to ensure that no mother, father or child is left behind politically, socially and economically.”
Respected intellectual and author Cornell West calls the book a “historic document” and “a reflection of the vision and courage of Smiley.”
We agree strongly with literary artist and publisher Haki Madhubuti’s trenchant analysis. “Over the last 30 years a kind of ‘learned helplessness’ has slowly invaded large portions of the black community, that we can’t do what other people do to bring about real and lasting change in our lives.” The Covenant is a positive, realistic response to this disabling pattern. The book presents both ideas that offer possibilities and set an agenda for us. However, the real value of this initiative is that it is not only a call but also a prescription for action requiring hard work, careful analysis, competent leadership, organization and a realistic worldview.
The book deserves to be read carefully and critiqued. Then we as parents, educators, preachers, social service providers, community leaders and policy makers need to act appropriately.
If it is to succeed, this bold initiative depends on our community for action, just as the Million Man March led by Min. Louis Farrankhan did. Ignored by the national media, Million Man March fervor spread across Black America. The Covenant seems to offer another unique opportunity for the African-American community to organize around a common agenda and vision that could bring us together and move us forward, together.