Speaking Up in an Anti-Black Society

Tune in to this powerful conversation between Nekima Armstrong, and Tavis Smiley, a respected leader and advocate for the African-American community. One of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People In The World,” Smiley has interviewed a veritable who’s who list of influencers, has penned multiple New York Times Bestselling books, and has already been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Tavis shares his experiences growing up in Mississippi and Indiana, learning from the wisdom and strength of his grandmother. The conversation highlights the danger of being a black person in a society that is often anti-black, while reflecting on how much further we have to go in terms of racial equality. It also touches on Rhon DeSantis' attack on Black history and critical race theory, as well as the importance of love and speaking up for social justice. Listeners will also hear about Martin Luther King Jr’s commitment to justice and the need for an honest conversation about America's past and present if it is to build a better future. Finally, Tavis encourages us all to seek, speak, stand on, and stay with the truth—and invites everyone to support his work at KBLA 1580 Talk Radio. Don't miss this powerful podcast episode!

 

[00:00 - 07:43] Travis Smiley Reflects on His Mississippi Roots and the Impact of Big Mama's Wisdom

• Tavis Smiley is a legend within the African American community and respected for his unapologetic progressivism

• He is the recipient of nearly 20 honorary doctorate degrees, honored with the Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and recognized by Time Magazine as one of the world's most 100 influential people

• Tavis moved from Gulfport Mississippi to Indiana when he was two or three years old

• He remembers fondly spending summers in Mississippi with his grandmother, Big Mama

• Tavis believes that every black person in America needs a Big Mama to learn about overcoming adversity and gain wisdom from black women elders

 

[07:43 - 15:11] The Danger of Speaking Up

• Nobody is self-made; everyone is who they are because somebody chose to love them.

• The story of Tavis grandmother, big mama, being concerned for his safety when she saw him on TV debating a white man.

• The story of Emmett Till and how it impacted Tavis grandmother and the civil rights movement.

• Rosa Parks' story and how it was in her mind when she sat on the bus.

• The dangers of speaking up about racial justice in an anti-black society.

 

[15:11 - 22:54] Examining the Misinformation Surrounding Critical Race Theory and Black History

• Recently, a radio play called The Return was promoted for weeks in advance and featured two actors that looked and sounded like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

• The play addressed contemporary issues such as Black Lives Matter, the killing of George Floyd, climate change, and the economic gap between black and white people.

• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is seen as dangerous for his attack on African American history and critical race theory.

• Critical race theory is not being taught in elementary, middle, or high school.

 

[22:55 - 30:33] America Needs to Accept the Truth

• America has always had a problem dealing with accepting the truth.

• Analyzing how, If you take black folk out of the experiment in democracy, the whole thing falls flat.

• America would not be what it is today without black folks.

• There's nothing wrong with capitalism except for the fact that they always get the capital and we get the ism.

 

[30:33 - 38:26] Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.'s Last Sermon

• Dr. King wanted to launch the Poor People's Campaign and spoke about universal healthcare, affordable housing, and guaranteed minimum income

• Dr. King was assassinated one year after his Beyond Vietnam speech

• Last year of his life he was toxic and everyone turned against him

• His last words were "I would rather be dead than be afraid"

• He wanted to do God's will and planted seeds for generations to come

 

[38:27 - 44:18] A Call to Seek, Speak, Stand on and Stay with the Truth

• Seek, speak, stand on and stay with the truth

• Be humble enough to realize that there is the truth and a way to it

• Have courage to say what you see

• Two kinds of people: running scared or running free

• Freedom means having the courage to speak truth to powerful and powerless

• No lie can live forever

• Take positions that are not safe, politic, comfortable or convenient, but right

• Commit yourself to your work and witness so well that even unborn couldn't do it any better

 

Connect with Tavis:

Facebook, Website: https://kbla1580.com/

 

 

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Join the movement for justice and power with the "Justice & Power'' podcast. Listen to stimulating conversations on tough topics affecting Black and Brown America with host Nekima Levy Armstrong. Reach out to us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. To know more about us connect with us at Wayfinder Foundation and www.nekimalevyarmstrong.com. Let's make change happen together!

 

Tweetable Quotes: 

"We are who we are because somebody loved us." - Travis Smiley

"No lie can live forever. Cowardice asks is it safe, expediency asks is it politic, vanity asks is it popular, but conscience asks is it right. And every now and then we must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must do it because one's conscience - Travis Smiley