By Fahim Malik Nassar

Barely 12 hours after Sen. Barack Obama soundly defeated (in popular votes) Sen. Hillary Clinton in the Chesapeake Primaries. Brother Tavis Smiley, a prominent radio and television personality within the Black Community, speaks out against the Senator.

He annually hosts the State Of The Black Union, a show that discusses the issues pertaining to the African-American community.

Last year, Sen. Obama could not attend the show because he was announcing his candidacy for the president of The United States. Unfortunately for Obama, while he was busy making landmark decisions, Tavis and company were busy lambasting the young Senator for not being there.

This year, Brother Tavis is at it again. The State Of The Black Union is on, and it looks like Sen. Obama may not be able to make it (with Texas primaries, Ohio, Wisconsin, and with him in a heated battle with Sen. Clinton for the Democratic nod). Senator Clinton, on the other hand, has stated she will make it.

Is this a slap in the face to Sen. Obama? I think not. The Chesapeake Primary (Maryland, The District of Columbia, and Virginia) demonstrated that Sen. Clinton does not have the full support of the Black Community and needs to reach out to us. She is trying to garner votes by appearing on the Black station with the Black people, just like her husband did twelve years prior.

In his commentary, Smiley said he was going to “snap” on those who don’t attend on Tuesday’s show, demanding that they own up to black issues and zero in on social justice issues as outlined in the book he edited, “The Covenant with Black America.” …sounds like a book plug to me…

Sen. Obama is a black man, who is attempting to address the problems of All Americans, to include, but not solely to his race.

Tavis… walk with us brother. We are adult voting people. Why would we “snap” on or make references to or attempt to destroy the character of a member of our community who is trying to “do something important” because he cannot attend your show. In this author’s humble opinion Hillary needs to be there. She is out of touch with our community and truly has no clue of the educational starvation, poverty, continued destruction of the black family, continued abuse of our non-violent prisoners, sub-prime mortgages, gangs and the overall disenfranchisement and disillusionment of our people. Obama doesn’t need a refresher course from colleagues who do book tours and talk shows but don’t actually come into the urban areas to talk to the gangs; colleagues who don’t fight for voters rights, employment, and education for non-violent felons after they are released. Brother Tavis, can’t you see that there is a bigger picture going on then sit-ins and bus boycotts?

But moreso than just that, we need UNITY. Take a hint from the Republican Party. The Black and African communities need unification amongst its leadership not division because of a missed show appearance.

Obama has been wise in choosing not to be the “black candidate” but rather a man poised and ready to be president. Why are we still looking at his skin? Why aren’t we seeing the man behind the mask?

Tavis, if you go through with the lambasting of Obama, you may undo any and all progress he has built. Do NOT side with Hillary because she showed up. Remember, she needs our vote. If she scored well in the south and urban areas…she would not have made it either.

See the traps for what they are my people…