Tavis Smiley's Newest, Doing What's Right

"Truth be told, we're not doing the things we know we ought to be doing to preserve our society. We're not voting....We're not helping each other the way we should. We barely know our neighbors...There is work to do- and only we can do it."

These words from the host of "BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley" which grace the backcover of his new book, ,i>Doing what's Right.

For a man that twinges when refered to as an author, Smiley can feel good concerning the accomplishment of this book.

Smiley uses Doing What's Right as his soap box to enlighten and encourage others to take a more active role in community and situations on a national level.

In the first chapter, Why We Need Advocates, the author chastises society without calling attention to color for "paying short shrifts" to the rate of violent crime among juveniles, the fact the US has the highest incarceration rate, Blacks and Hispanics remain less likely than whites to secure a home, the Social Security mess and more.

Among the social woes sited, Smiley elaborates on the plight of our religions and political leaders naming Henry Lyons, former head of the National Baptist Convention and Pastor who was uncovered had been stealing his denominations's money for women.

Smiley also writes, "We found out that Martin Luther King, Jr. had affairs with women."

Surprisingly, the list failed to include Al Sharpton and the Tawana Brawley complication. Further in the book Smiley makes favorable reference to Sharpton (in the last chapter, Advocacy: A Case Study).

Chapter 2, How I Did It is the most inspiring chapter for a would be advocate.

The book is shorter than expected or hoped from a man like Tavis Smiley. How I Did It, to the most unacquainted with Mr. Smiley would feel that his testimony is just the tip of the iceberg. Understandably, the purpose of Doing What's Right is to encourage readers to participate in the affairs of society, not to spotlight his life.

Smiley offers the advice of his grandmother, "My grandmother used to say to me that while there were some battles that are not worth fighting even if you win, there are others that are worth fighting even if you lose." This is the section that Smiley turns to the reader and asks, "What is it that you feel passionate about?" Instead of insisting that the reader become an advocate, he poses questions purposely to seperate the "boys from the men" so that his audience may determine if they would be serious as well as passionate. Inquiries such as:

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