Ironically on the day that we announce the second gathering of Black new media content creators in Chicago next June, Tavis Smiley made an announcement of his own. Y’all Tavis is getting with this century and in his own “special” way acknowledging the growing influence of Black bloggers.
Tavis is holding a “contest” to RANDOMLY select the next “Web Star”- His words not mine.
Bloggers, here is your chance to become a Web Star! For the 10th annual State of the Black Union 2009 symposium, hosted and moderated annually by broadcaster Tavis Smiley, we’re offering the opportunity for ONE special blogger [gag] to sit on stage and ask the important questions of panelists in our first and exclusive live Webcast!(We’re very impressed by Web journalists with a vast, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable readership. So let all of your readers know! It can only help your cause.[and Tavis Smiley]) Tavis Smiley
I am confused. Read the contest rules.
Drawing: Sponsor will randomly select the potential Contest winners from all eligible entries received during the Promotion Period, on or around December 5, 2008. The potential winner will be notified by mail, email or phone. The potential winner (parent/legal guardian if winner is a minor in his/her state of residence) will be required to sign and return to Sponsor, within three (3) days of the date notice or attempted notice is sent, an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release in order to claim his/her prize. If a potential winner cannot be contacted, or fails to sign and return the Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release within the required time period, potential winner forfeits prize. Potential winner must continue to comply with all terms and conditions of these Official Rules. Winning is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries. Tavis Smiley Blog Competition
You enter, write a frigging essay and then have your readers vote and then they select the winner by random drawing??? SO you promote Tavis’ event. Engage your readers and then roll the dice to see if your name gets pulled out of a hat. Um, y’all read the contest rules again and break it down for me.
Imagine yourself hanging out for the weekend and engaging in dialogue with figures such as Dr. Cornel West or Danny Glover or maybe even Nikki Giovanni and Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Imagine what that means for your Web site, your blog… your career! Tavis Smiley Blog Contest
Whoever wrote this doesn’t understand bloggers.You see Tavis believes that he has the power to make you a web star by giving you the privilege of asking Dick Gregory, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the usual list of suspects from the Civil Rights Industrial Complex and the Black Elite Establishment for Tavis Smiley’s annual State of the Black Union.
Tavis thinks that what makes us “special” as bloggers is being singled out when what makes us special are our relationships to other people.
Dear Tavis Smiley,
I am heartened by your attempt to include Black bloggers as part of you State of the Black Union gathering. You are to be commended for recognizing the growing influence of Black new media content creators and their loyal and passionate audiences. However, as a blogger, new media evangelist, and organizer of the Blogging While Brown conference, I am deeply disturbed by the nonsensical manner in which you are going about Black blogger inclusion. I have reviewed the terms and conditions of your “Blog Contest”. I will assume that the terms and conditions for participation are based on ignorance and not malice. [Was that too harsh y'all?] I was going to say “ignorance and lack of intellectual curiosity”]
We are already web stars! What you don’t get about social media is that it’s not about page clicks and ratings, its about relationships and unique voices. You don’t have to be THE star, but one of many. I find it insulting that after forcing contestants to submit their blog posts and jump through hoops, you are going to “select” your winner randomly. I am offended that you think that it is some kind of privilege for a Black blogger to get to ask the Black Elite Establishment questions.
First, Black bloggers question the Black Elite Establishment and the Civil Rights Industrial Complex DAILY. In fact occasionally we show up in person to counter protest the CRIC. Other times we call the CRIC to the carpet and wage open war against them when they do idiotic things against the interests of Black people everywhere. That’s nothing new. Second, maybe you wouldn’t be asking about the the “STATE” of the Black Union every day if you listened to different people. Perhaps the panel needs to be made up of bloggers and the members of the BEE and the CRIC need to enter a drawing for the privilege of asking Black bloggers questions. Because, the BEE and the CRIC’s answers are typically well past poor.
I, addition, the random drawing implies that bloggers are fungible, widgets, interchangeable and it is an insult to the unique vision and intensive labor these new media content creators pour into their blogs to select a “winner” out of a hat like some low rent lottery. Not to mention your random selection risks selecting Boo Boo The Fool or Cousin Pookie to represent us all.
I realize that you understand absolutely nothing about new media and even less about social media. Social media is just what it says, SOCIAL. The power of social media is not competition, but collaboration. The power to reach millions by our connections to others through linking. Therefore I suggest that you and your staff be the the first folks to register for the Blogging While Brown Conference in Chicago next year. You need to meet these people whose name you want to pull out of a hat and turn into a “Web Star.”
The power of new media is that I don’t have to be a “star” to have a voice and build a world-wide multimedia platform. I can be ordinary and make my mark on the world. I don’t have to go through you.
Bemused and Annoyed,
The What About Our Daughters Outreach Director
How was that folks? Feel free to edit at will. Maybe y’all should read this again, because the contest rules and the entry requirements don’t make any dad gum sense. You jump through hoops, have your readers vote and then they make a random selection?? What in the hot holy heck??
47 comments ↓
Well said, WAOD! Very well said! One of the reasons I love to read black bloggers is because the ability to challenge and provoke BEE and CRIC, but most importantly the people to think about things and not go for the okey doke. Black bloggers are not groupies of the elite!
SMH at Tavis and his contest. Maybe had he directed it at high schoolers. But to suggest that one will become a “WebStar” by simply asking questions to a panel of people who have not had a new idea since 19??.. Oh, and will the “WebStar Blogger” get to ask their own questions??? Because that’s what blogging is about.
That contest is wack and shows a lack of awareness and the assumption that Black bloggers are waiting for someone else to legitimize them. How out of touch!
It’s unfortunate that Tavis does not yet realize how irrelevant he, the CRIC and his redundant summit is. Of course, the new media is constantly evolving and there are lots of people who don’t understand it. Witness Sarah Palin and her comments about bloggers.
How you gonna have a random person get on national TV asking all these high profile folk questions. What if a complete wacko were to win the contest and do something stupid to make C-Span get fined by the FCC? What if the person who wins speaks even worse english than Tavis does?
I will cut Tavis a break and assume that one of his interns made a mistake.
And RCA, Tavis really does think he has the power to legitimize. He thought Obama was going to need him in order to galvanize the black vote.
Bloggers are legitimated, vetted and elevated by their readers, period. It is the most egalitarian medium out there. Smiley and others ignore that to their peril.
The Obama win demonstrates one thing overwhelmingly, he just won an election with an email list and bloggers. Bloggers rendered the Republican smear machine mute. The MSM now monitors blogs for content. It’s their ear to the ground.
Smiley you can’t make us. We make you, buy a clue.
And what power has Tavis ever wielded on the internet. Now that he is not with Tom Joyner he has nothing to do with Black America Web. I have never seen him affliated with any of the popular black news websites I visit. I doubt he has even used the internet much to spread his message, him and the black elite establishment are invisible online. There are quite a few black professors that have their own blogs tha put out their views and information, but i guess why blog is someone is going to give you thousands for a speech?
That goes to show they are not concerned with spreading their message, they are more concerned about the pay.
Brilliant Gina!
Gina,
Great letter! I don’t think he knows what he’s gotten himself into.
Perhaps he is attempting to make a sincere plea to the virtual community he’s ignored for so long.
BTW, thanks for the reminder and shout out.
I agree with some of the previous posts. Black bloggers stand on their own quite well, and independent of the MSM that now shows more interest in them. Perhaps Tavis has been in a coma if he thinks bloggers need some stupid contest. There are so many great blogs that I frequent I would be hard press to pick a ‘best’ . That’s the reason I surf the net for all my diverse selections.
Perhaps Tavis thinks like Gov. Palin…bloggers are stuck in their basements in their pjs twiddling their thumbs!
Gina: Thank you for bringing this up. I love your letter. I started reading the rules, but I’m sorry. I read it and couldn’t finish. I’m not writing an essay and then having it placed into some fricking (I’m trying to be respectful to your blog. First time I used the word “fricking”) random drawing.
I’m trying to be respectful on your blog, but to hell with this. I resent him trying to entrap me and other bloggers to jump on his bandwagon. I don’t think black bloggers should soil their dignity by participating.
Hi Gina…just a point of clarification. The word “randomly” should not be in there. It is not a “random” selection.
Also the reason that a “selection” is to be made is that this is the only reasonable way in which we can “feature” bloggers in terms of participating in the panel format. The bloggers are not and will not be treated any different from the general media, with the exception that not even the traditional media will have this level of access.
Maybe it could have been worded better and been more clear, but the winner gets something that NOBODY else gets…period.
If anyone else has any other specific questions, feel free to hit me up at mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net
This is his attempt at marketing. It has nothing to do with us as bloggers. Although this is a negative review of the contest his hopes were that all 1400 of the black blogs that electronic village has chronicled would write a post about the contest and thus free publicity and hype. Just as random companies tried to build un-useful social network when myspace and facebook blew up, not that the MSM is really recognizing bloggers everyone will trying to use us with out fully understanding the medium. It’s like people that jump from one get rich scheme to the next.
I can’t be more clear, this level of access is unprecedented. It doesn’t matter if you’re the Washington Post…you don’t get THIS access, this is an elevation of bloggers/web journalists ABOVE traditional media.
In fact, no traditional media will be a part of the web panel. I can’t speak to anyone’s issues people may have with Tavis, but I would hate for people to wrongly assume that this isn’t borne out of sincerity and isn’t truly about the bloggers. Without a doubt it is and I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on a genuine opportunity for an incorrect perception of the contest.
One of the continuing topics of the SOBU is bridging the digital divide. This is a natural progression in that discussion.
We all know when SOBU is and where to find it if need be on TV, so “marketing” is not really a consideration here as SOBU is largely not advertised at all other than word of mouth.
I would never dare try to quell a discussion in the blogosphere, continue to speak your minds with all enthusiasm. But I would want you to at least be clear on the intentions behind the scenes.
It’s truly about ‘us’ for ‘us’ and by ‘us.’
I can’t imagine anything more likely to destroy a blogger’s credibility more than the Tavis Smiley stamp of approval.
I was cracking up reading your Twitter messages about this yesterday. I read the “contest”. What a joke. Tavis STILL needs to get a CLUE. He is still trying to be a KING-maker when he does NOT have that authority. It’s all about him and promoting his products. There is no reciprocity. Whoever this Morris Kelly person is defending him, you don’t get it. It’s not as if some of us couldn’t get access to those panelists separate from the SOTBU. I mean why is it required that all attendees fill out these detailed forms giving valuable marketing information to all the sponsors. We are being used! I hope no one who sees the forest for the trees applies. As if asking a few questions at one event will create and sustain an entire blogging career. Hardly!
Faith…respectfully, this is where I think you’re not quite clear on this.
Getting access to the individuals is one thing. Getting the interviews in advance of everyone else around the event is another.
That’s having nothing to do with being able to web/broadcast the event from your site.
In the interest of full disclosure I do work for Tavis, but I’m also a serious, serious blogger.
Nobody ever said that “asking a few questions at one event will create and sustain an entire blogging career.”
But I doubt anyone here would deny that media exposure is beneficial to anyone’s career.
Gina being listed in Essence didn’t “hurt” her career. Gina being contacted by traditional media and quoted as to her campaign against BET didn’t “hurt” her career.
I’m just saying remove the assumption that this is somehow negative. That’s all…there is nothing to be lost and plenty to be gained for those who wish to enter.
If you are not one of those people who wish to enter, God bless you. But I would hope you would wish to at least be accurate in your assessment of what is being done and why.
“Getting access to the individuals is one thing. Getting the interviews in advance of everyone else around the event is another.”
Maybe you aren’t ‘getting it’….WHO CARES ABOUT THE EVENT. Perhaps THAT is the point.
I totally agree with you!
Even though I am black woman who happens to blog, I don’t necessarily want to be labeled as a “black woman blogger” and therefore be limited to that and essentially minimized. My “audience” isn’t just black, and it isn’t just white. It’s a diversity of people from all over the world who appreciate something different rather than the same-old same old elitist crap you see in the media.
I read blogs to get out there and see what others have on their minds, not to be part of any “clique” or whatever. I certainly don’t blog to be a ’star.’ I blog because I have things I want to say and creative works I to share without having to run the gauntlet of the “experts.”
Woo hoo go get ‘em Gina!
What else is there to say? What have said it all. Kudos to you for calling them to the carpet on their false intellectualism and acting as if bloggers really need Tavis to make it BIG. Since bloggers critique what Tavis is doing on a regular basis, why would they be front and center on such a forum. Poor Tavis…
Almost everyone is so on point here and Pinky hit the ball out of the park! What is the big deal about an event that discusses the same thing with the same people year after year with no real solutions? It seems to be a bunch of TALK with no action, and meanwhile Tavis is lining his pockets. Gina, your letter was wonderfully written in fine form. Dr. Gina recognized the symptoms, diagnosed the malady and wrote a prescription for the cure! Now that they have been called on this, I suspect that we may see a change in the rules of this “contest” or some other kind of modification. Great job as usual Gina!
Bloggers don’t need Tavis, apparently though he needs them. The least he could do is come here and defend himself. If it matters so much that people have the ‘correct’ perspective. No matter how many defend the contest I think it’s a dumb idea.
I get it it now… This is another Chitlin’ Eatin’ Negro experience that black bloggers who don’t run gossip blogs are supposed to be grateful for.
No FREAKIN’ thanks.
And shame on me for thinking Tavis had grown a pair and was actually trying to do something. Anything Mo’ Kelly puts his hands in is as legitimate as designer goods from Canal Street and Chinatown in NYC.
This contest is gonna be a death knell for any good blog out there.
Y’all are so MEAN!!! HAHAHAHA! I have been peeking in all day just rolling. I thought I was rough on Tavis. Man oh man.
MoKelly Said “Gina being listed in Essence didn’t “hurt” her career. Gina being contacted by traditional media and quoted as to her campaign against BET didn’t “hurt” her career.”
Actually that whole ESSENCE thing nearly destroyed this blog. It drew a lot of opportunistic bloodsuckers into my life, an unrealistic expectation that I was anything other than a halfway decent strategist who likes to talk and play with words, and made me feel as if I had to stay in the rut they carved out for me.
I didn’t go to ESSENCE, ESSENCE approached me after I had already given Debra Lee a couple of sleepless nights. I’d already been in the LA Times, CNN, the New York Times, Ebony, Jet, MSNBC, NPR, WVON and I lose track, and the AP Wire before I ever got a call from ESSENCE. I didn’t go looking for that.
As far as the media storm over THAT SHOW on THAT NETWORK, a NY Times reporter needled my name out of me, otherwise I would be semi anonymous to this day (okay maybe not).
Anyway, ATTENTION from mainstream media is not all it is cracked up to be. I don’t need to be a web star to do what I do.
Most of the things I pull off, get done with a tiny number of people. No one needs to know my name as long as I get what I want.
Now I have my own media platform that I built with no help from MSM. Get it straight, reporters return to this spot because I am a living breathing quote machine. I launched Michelle Obama Watch with nothing more than a blog post on WAOD, less than 24 hours later I’d received thousands of page hits and was on Salon.com and the Wall Street Journal.
I am perturbed that Mo said that this was “the only way” that this could have been done. I disagree. You could have done what TV One did, put up a job posting for a live blogger and pay a blogger a fair wage to do what they do. Interested bloggers could have applied and been selected like any other free lancing assignment. Or you could have credentialed bloggers like any other type of media. I am sure the Washington Post didn’t have to do a frigging essay. Every post we write is an essay. I know your intentions were good Mo’, but this contest is very patronizing. Sorry
@BLKSeagoat huh??? You need to provide a back story to that comment.
Y’all can send Tavis a message on Twitter his twitter ID is tavissmiley
Oh, I don’t need to reply back to Mo Kelly – thanks Pinky! If that person is a real blogger they have a major delusional complex – with all due respect. Or we all just have diametrically opposite points of views. Well, all of us vs. Tavis and (some of) his employees. See this is why being surrounded by yes sheeple and group think is NOT GOOD.
I am still waiting for BlkSeagoat to provide some context.
“We are already web stars! What you don’t get about social media is that it’s not about page clicks and ratings, its about relationships and unique voices. You don’t have to be THE star, but one of many. I find it insulting that after forcing contestants to submit their blog posts and jump through hoops, you are going to “select” your winner randomly. I am offended that you think that it is some kind of privilege for a Black blogger to get to ask the Black Elite Establishment questions. ”
You are a diva! Well said.
@Oshun
Oh no I am no diva, just a modest little blogger wearing pajamas sitting in my basement twiddling my thumbs and whatnot.
Hmmmmm…
The Tavis Smiley (IT’S ALL ABOUT ME!!!!) Blog Competition…
I’ll pass (and if I had a blog, I’d still pass).
Tell it, girl! Your letter is on point and completely professional. Hope you’ve already sent it!
Apparently he like many others thinks that bloggers are an insignificant aspect of the black community instead of being a growing new medium of expressing the diversity of the black community. What he should have asked was if any of his listeners know of any good bloggers for him to invite.
I wasn’t that upset by the posting. It’s kind of like Tyra claiming to find America’s next top model. She can bring the models a level of exposure that they may not have had initially but it doesn’t automatically turn into a career. The same with Tavis finding the next Black ‘web star’. But i’ve made peace with tyra, just like I”ll make peace with Tavis, some people always oversell their abilities and influence.
most times in mainstream media you have to be famous before you can share your opinion, on the ‘net it’s your opinion that can make you ‘famous’ as far as the ‘net is concerned. Like Gina mentioned, many of us got started blogging because we had an opinion to share not because we wanted to become celebrities. We don’t have to look, act or talk a certain way, but everyone can participate. And I like it that way.
AMEN Gina. If folks want to see what Black bloggers are about then register for BWB2009 in Chi-town. I will be registering soon and shaking up Chi-town with my fellow BWB bloggers.
Oh come on you guys. Blogging is a new media and lot of people just don’t understand it. Instead of criticizing people for their lack of knowledge, try educating them. It seems as if Tavis is trying to do something that he has not done before, that is to include bloggers. Tavis can not create the next web superstar just like attending the Blogging While Brown conference does not make a brown blogger “legitimate” or make the uninformed more knowledgable about blogging. I enjoy reading blogs for entertainment and information. It is a new and exciting media, but it’s no better or worse than any other media.
You can’t be an elitist then call someone out for being an elitist. Everyone is not into blogging. A lot of people don’t know about blogging but would probably be hooked if they had a chance to experience it.
Bloggers will do all right with out Tavis and Tavis will do all right with out the bloggers. But can you imagine how much better off everyone w ould be if both sides tried to work together. Marketing is not bad. If you have something to say and you have an opportunity to say it to a bigger or different audience, why not consider it? There are too many good bloggers. And no matter what method Tavis used, people would not be happy with the one blogger that he selected. But you never know. This year it’s only one blogger but next year bloggers might play a bigger role.
Beatifully stated! I personally cannot stand Tavis Smiley, and I’m glad you put him in his place. Although I’m sure his ego will not allow him to absorb what you’re saying, I’m glad you took the time to say it.
I haven’t watched a complete episode of Tavis’ show in years. I have gotten bored before completion, but I can read blogs all day if I had the time.
the biggest problem with all this is that he has no idea how blogs and social media works if he wants to single my ass out…if i wanted to ask dick gregory a question at an address i would do it when he comes to my alma mater to speak (and he has).
What we have on the web are some of the best written and informative blogs out there. I love that so many blogs tell the truth and don’t hold anything back. It’s a shame that so many people don’t have internet access because the blogs would be a valuable asset for real dialogue and action. They (CRIC) might use technology now, but their ideas and goals are antiquated.
Seems to me that Tavis is employing the old ‘Crabs in the barrel’ mentality.
Or you could have credentialed bloggers like any other type of media. I am sure the Washington Post didn’t have to do a frigging essay. Every post we write is an essay. I know your intentions were good Mo’, but this contest is very patronizing. Sorry
_______________
Bloggers are credentialed…if you look at the registration portion of the site, you would’ve seen this. The Washington Post isn’t even invited…just FYI.
Did anyone check the registration portion of the SOBU site? If so, you would’ve seen that when “press” registered, it also asked if you were a blogger…to be included, not excluded.
There’s nothing wrong with raising these issues, I just implore you to be accurate in the process of doing so.
Or better yet, if you would’ve asked me…you would’ve been clear on this so there would’ve been no further misunderstanding. You already have my cell phone and email Gina. In fact, since you posted this letter, we’ve emailed each other.
I’m immensely disappointed that given our personal rapport and constant communication PRIOR to today you did not see fit to communicate with me in this regard…your other concerns. The truth is you’ve known of this contest since October 23rd, I gave you the heads up well in advance. To suggest the blogging community was skirted around is simply untrue. You were the FIRST in the blogging community to know this was coming down the pike.
To suggest that somehow bloggers are being INTENTIONALLY slighted is simply untrue.
Not only that, to have a direct line to Tavis through me and not acknowledge that to your readers in terms of this discussion is disingenuous. If this is broken, we can work together to fix it.
And since we don’t pay ANY of the panelists, from Dr. Cornel West on down…it’s more than “odd” to suggest that we pay bloggers “a fair wage.” Nobody is getting pimped here.
We’re treating bloggers the same (and in many respects BETTER) than everyone else involved.
If you had questions in that regard, I surely could’ve clarified them for you.
I get the sense this isn’t about communication or discussion as evidence by how this conversation has proceeded…
But if I’m wrong, you still have my email and cell phone number Gina.
Still love you Gina,
Morris
I’m immensely disappointed that given our personal rapport and constant communication PRIOR to today you did not see fit to communicate with me in this regard…your other concerns. The truth is you’ve known of this contest since October 23rd, I gave you the heads up well in advance. To suggest the blogging community was skirted around is simply untrue. You were the FIRST in the blogging community to know this was coming down the pike.
NEGRO PLEASE. Constant communication? You print your email and I will post mine okay? You told me about a contest for bloggers at which point I told you I was not interested because I.DON’T DO. CONTESTS!!!! One freaking email does not equal “constant communication.” I did not know the terms of the contest . I didn’t know you were going to turn it into some two bit low rent American Idol contest. Nor was I consulted about the roll out.
Mo’ Don’t even try it. First of all, I don’t have any obligation to go behind you and your boss to clean up your mess. Second, I read your contest rules. You admitted that YOUR OWN RULES that YOU DRAFTED were WRONG. That’s not my fault. That is yours.
Second, don’t yout hink it is a bit patronizing for you to tell me to call YOU about YOUR idiotic contest? I didn’t create the contest. I didn’t draft the rules. I didn’t choose to market it in the manner you chose to market it. MAN UP Mo and take responsibility for your own bad acts and don’t run up on my blog trying to blame me for your short comings.
Third Mo’ you came in the comments and admitted that you are Tavis’ employee, what more indication that you have access to Tavis was needed from me.
I suggest you just take one for the team Mo’ I was content to let the matter rest, but if you would like me to return to this subject, I certainly can.
You are just trying to do damage control at this point. You screwed up and embarassed your boss, just take the hit like a man and move on.
I don’t have a particular opinion about the matter (although I stopped with Tavis after Tavis insisted Obama attend his “State of the Black Union” this past year), but I did want you to know that you have a typo in the letter. You said,
“I, addition, the random drawing implies that bloggers are fungible…”
Of course, “I,” should say “In”…
Thank you for your thoughtfulness and for taking a stand.
You never cease to amaze me.
It makes absolutely no sense. What’s the purpose of engaging your readers if you’re simply going to choose a blogger at random? It’s pretty much drumming up views and interests to their site, having people work overtime and a half for a possibility of recognition.
I, personally, do not believe that your letter was out line, nor do I think that it was inappropriate.
Thank you for expressing OUR thoughts!
Jia
It seems Tavis was trying to get more out of the deal than he wanted to give to the deal.
Tavis who?
Tavis reached out to the LA blogging community to screen his new film at his home. Check out the review, pictures and the blog roll at Leimert Park Beat.com