Tavis Smiley: Black American Men Must Hold Candidates Accountable

Outspoken commentator and author Tavis Smiley recently stressed the critical need for Black men to hold political candidates accountable in an era where every vote counts. Speaking in an interview on the “Sway’s Universe” podcast, Smiley addressed the unprecedented political climate in which Black-American men are suddenly a focal point for campaigns, despite a History of neglect.

“We find ourselves in an unprecedented political moment where everything is so closely contested that candidates are desperately trying to appeal to different demographics to secure a win,” Smiley said in the Nov. 1 interview. “Black men, who have historically been marginalized and treated unfairly, are now suddenly seen as a key group to target. It’s curious that, for so long, no one seemed to care about the well-being or interests of Black men. Now, we’re the group everyone is eager to engage, the ones around whom agendas are being tailored.”

While recognizing the validation that comes from this newfound interest, Smiley warns against superficial engagement. He called this attention an “ideological bankruptcy” and expressed skepticism about whether it would translate into meaningful change.

“The pressing question remains: Where was this consideration all these years?” asked Smiley. “The real challenge, as highlighted, isn’t in the campaign promises but in what follows once the election is over. If and when these candidates win, will Black men be forgotten again? How can this group ensure that the commitments made on the campaign trail are honored?”

The challenge, Smiley explained, is not in being courted during an election but in making sure that campaign promises are fulfilled. “Campaigning is the easy part,” he said. “The real test is in seeing those promises turn into action, and that’s where efforts often falter.”

This is not the first time Smiley has made this point. Soon after Barack Obama was elected in 2008, Smiley made the same warning.

“Just because Barack Obama is black, doesn’t mean he gets a pass on being held accountable on issues that matter to black people,” Smiley said in 2008, according to CBS News. “I’m not an Obama critic or a McCain critic. The term itself is dismissive and insulting.”