THE OBENSON REPORT

I've never really been fond of events whose titles begin with "The State Of..."

For example, "The State Of Black America," as you will see in the clips below. The phrase is too simplistic and broad, and implies something monolithic, which, for obvious reasons, could be a problem.

However, I understand and appreciate Tavis Smiley's core intent in organizing an event such as this one, but yet I often wonder if gatherings of this type truly inspire any real action or produce any palpable long term results; or if it's all nothing more than vacuous pomp and circumstance.

Regardless, I've been re-watching segments from this C-Span aired bit of TV history, which was broadcast earlier this year, and found the following clips worth sharing.

If you've been listening to The Obenson Report, my black cinema / black film podcast (shame on you if you haven't), you'll hear some similarities between what these folks are saying and many of the things that I've said, and continue to say, whether broadly or specifically, for the last 3 months!