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OPINION: Tavis Smiley Should Not Be Working With R. Kelly

Written by Dr. Boyce Watkins on December 16, 2009 5:18 pm

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I have a tremendous amount of respect for Tavis Smiley, whose experience in public life has been mixed as of late.    Let’s be real: Smiley’s spat with Obama hasn’t worked in his favor, and the Wells Fargo thing really hurt his stock value.  In spite of recent challenges he’s experienced over the past two years, he remains a meaningful and relevant leader in the African American community.  The voices of intelligent, principled and focused black men are among the most important in our world.

One area where Tavis and I may always disagree is just how far you go in order to make money.  Don’t get me wrong, I am a capitalist and I can fully appreciate the value of compassionate business models when it comes to providing good financial fuel for well-intended activism.  But when engaged in activism that is theoretically tailored for the enhancement of African American lives, ethical boundaries must always be applied.

RELATED: Tavis Smiley Draws “Child Rape” Criticism For Publishing R. Kelly’s Book

Working with R. Kelly to release a book is an uncomfortable crossing of the boundaries of conscientious decision-making.  Yes, we know that R. Kelly was found not guilty of having sex with a minor, but the details of his case were incredibly disturbing.  Also, the fact that he was not proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt does not imply that he was innocent of what he is accused of doing to that little girl.

I am sure that the amount of money that Smiley stands to make on R. Kelly’s name is significant.  I am sure that he has an explanation for this decision.  But whatever that explanation may be, Smiley must be sure to understand that with every questionable business decision, his credibility as a righteous activist within the African American community is going to get just a tad bit weaker.  I don’t stand here saying that Smiley must be perfect, but the truth is that signing R. Kelly right after being connected to a company accused of predatory lending in the black community doesn’t look good for anyone.

RELATED: Tavis Smiley Drops Wells Fargo, Makes Statement

I wish both Smiley and Kelly success in their endeavors, but as a father of three  young women, you’ll never see me condoning R. Kelly’s choices.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition.  For more information, please visit DrBoyceWatkins.com

Tags: R Kelly, Tavis Smiley
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News One Links

 
  • http://www.blackplanet.com/CaliFemme23/ CaliFemme23

    Money, money, money, money…MONAAYYYYY!!!! Almighty DOLLA!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/aggressiveFRUIT/ aggressiveFRUIT

    I wonder if the author of this “story” was just as vocal about the the company who published Michael Jackson’s book, and the writer who helped him pen it. If my memory serves me well, Michael was brought to trial TWICE for the same thing.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/CimpleSypher/ CimpleSypher

    What I believe to be more disturbing is that there is an audience for this type of literary drivel despite it being a “compassionate business model…providing good financial fuel for well-intended activism”. This to me just means that as much as I like & admire Mr. Smiley he too should be taken with a grain of salt. If “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” then it is of the utmost importance that we must vet those who don the title of Black Leader & not let “others” tell us who our leaders are. Barack Obama included!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/bigjoe1500/ bigjoe1500

    I expect more from Tavis. He is not just some big white literary company, he is a so-called black leader. They can’t do the stuff that random white companies do and expect us to see them in the same light. If Tavis is just another Random House publisher, so be it. But he can’t then turn around and expect to lead the community with an honest face.

  • http://blacknews2.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/tavis-smiley-working-with-r-kelly/ Tavis Smiley Working with R. Kelly? « Black News, African American News

    [...] Click to read. [...]

  • http://blacknews4.wordpress.com/2009/12/17/tavis-smiley-working-with-r-kelly/ Tavis Smiley Working with R. Kelly? « Black News in the black community

    [...] Click to read. [...]

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Jahz_Lynx1/ Jahz_Lynx1

    Tavis was right about Obama. If you disagree w/that you haven’t been paying attention. R.Kelley…ugh..gack! No one’s paying Smiley’s bills but Smiley. Publishing, pushin and pimpin…that’s the new deal on the American Dream, baby

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/SWEETASSUG/ SWEETASSUG

    YOU ARE RIGHT…IN SAYING THIS…PUBLISHING $$$$$…

    I wonder if the author of this “story” was just as vocal about the the company who published Michael Jackson’s book, and the writer who helped him pen it. If my memory serves me well, Michael was brought to trial TWICE for the same thing.

    They can’t do the stuff that random white companies do and expect us to see them in the same light. If Tavis is just another Random House publisher, so be it.

    If “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”

    SO EVERYONE HAS BEEN DOING THIS BEFORE HE ……DID IT….. AND WILL BE CRITICAL..SO..LET HIM DO HIS THANG….

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/TallPaul7/ TallPaul7

    R Kelly might pee on him :(

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/mandmore/ mandmore

    why must EVERYONE be so damned judgemental…innocent or guilty r. kelly
    deserves to have his story told.

  • http://drboycewatkins.com/thesyracuseprofessor/?p=156 Dr. Boyce Watkins on Black Planet – 12/28/09 : The Syracuse Professor

    [...] OPINION: Tavis Smiley Should Not Be Working With R. Kelly [...]

  • http://plenaryreview.com/2010/01/12/r-kelly-smiles-for-tavis/ R Kelly Smiles for Tavis « The Plenary Review

    [...] Dr. Boyce Watkins [...]

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