Tavis' Pass the Mic Tour is about to start very soon if it hasn't already. Smiley's already been critiqued among some circles for the cost of his event. To see Smiley, West, and Dyson "pass the mic" it costs $50 (and if you pay $60 you get a copy of one of Smiley's, West's, and Dyson's books). He responds to his critics in two parts. Part one. Part two.
Now I've already said my piece. While I think all three of them are pretty trifling for different reasons, if you're willing to spend the same loot on Stevie Wonder or on Prince or on JayZ, then spending the loot on these guys should be comparable. I don't think the mileage will be the same because the level of artistry required is different in the case of comedy or musical performance. But let's say for the sake of argument that it is similar.
But in defending his pricing structure, Tavis ends up buying into some very problematic notions about black culture and black life.
Tavis argues for example that black people overspend as far as entertainment, but underspend as far as empowerment.
What exactly does that mean? The entertainment thing is straightforward. Black people spend a whole lot of money on music. Now I don't know where he got his figures from...and this isn't on him necessarily. I can't remember the last time someone footnoted a radio commentary. But what the hell is "empowerment spending?"
If I recall correctly, Tavis himself sponsored a series of talks with economic and political leaders that was then broadcast on C-SPAN. I don't think those events were free....and I think they were standing room only. When Minister Farrakhan would make his various tours, he'd speak in basketball stadiums to standing room only crowds. And I know black people love some self-help books.
But this is besides the point.
One of the central problems I've had with speakers since about second year in undergrad is that they seemed to be in the entertainment business rather than the education business. As speakers they would give you JUST enough to want to bring them back again...and you would be left on a serious high that would last about three days. Then you'd be back where you started, until you shelled out the loot for the next speaker.
Empowerment IS entertainment. It just has an educational shell. Come on. You ever SEEN West or Dyson talk? It isn't like either of them plays the role of a staid traditional professor, no matter how nice their suits are. Even though Dyson is pushing 45 or so he isn't afraid of quoting Nas (at length) to show his street cred. BOTH West AND Dyson are ministers remember.
Tavis starts with a reasonable take. They are travelling, and appearing in some nice venues. These venues aren't free, and aren't cheap. So in order to have the event in the FIRST place, someone's got to pay. West is about $20 grand a speech. Dyson is probably $10 grand a speech. The venues probably cost around $25 grand...and then there are other incidentals....
Hmm.
If those numbers are anywhere near right, that leaves a substantial profit for what is basically three men talking--without rehearsal--for a few hours with a mic in their hand.
Maybe Tavis SHOULD stick with the arguments basically saying that black people don't know how to spend their money.
Posted by at December 8, 2003 06:25 AM | TrackBackFYI: This is the first public empowerment/symposium sponsored by Tavis where there has been a charge. All events he has hosted for the last four years broadcast by C-SPAN have been free to the public.
Posted by: Sylvia at December 13, 2003 07:54 PMYes, there has been a change in Tavis. He now practices hucksterism n a scale that makes Tony Brown look like a communist.
Posted by: John at December 17, 2003 11:49 AMLet me be contrarian: all Tavis, West, and Dyson are doing is making "edutainment" profitable.
Carving into their share of the self-help pie. I ain't mad at them...it isn't like they don't want to see African American improvement...they just figured out you don't have to "down" and be a pauper, either.
Posted by: Michael R Hicks at February 3, 2004 10:31 PMThey're tapping into those Black middle-class dollars for their share.
Posted by: Michael R Hicks at February 3, 2004 10:32 PMI think i saw it already, do not remember where though.
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Tavis talks is an apt name for his enterprise as you know he certainly doesn't hold a conversation with you, and he can barely speak english.
Posted by: John at December 13, 2003 04:50 PM