Tavis Smiley

Smiley is host and managing editor of Tavis Smiley on PBS and author of 50 for Your Future: Lessons From Down the Road

Recent Articles

The One Single Thing Donald Trump and Martin Luther King, Jr. Have In Common

If I told you that in the last year of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life, his approval ratings were in the range of President Donald Trump’s anemic disapproval numbers, would you believe me? I...

By Tavis Smiley December 1, 2017

Dick Gregory

Civil rights icon

By Tavis Smiley August 24, 2017

From Selma to Charlottesville, the Ghosts of Our Past

There's nothing quite like being on vacation halfway around the world and trying to explain American-style racism. As an African American, the locals expect me to be an expert on these matters. The backstory of...

By Tavis Smiley August 14, 2017

Bill Maher Doesn’t Know the Hurt Behind the Racial Slur He Used. I Do.

The HBO host's use of the N-word is about more than political incorrectness

By Tavis Smiley June 5, 2017

Andrew Jackson Is the Perfect Icon of Selfishness for Trump

'We always talk about the rights of citizens, but never quite get around to the responsibilities'

By Tavis Smiley May 9, 2017

Scott Pelley's Hard Truth Comes a Little Late

The truth hurts Donald Trump — but where has it been all this time?

By Tavis Smiley February 8, 2017

Donald Trump Got Black History Month All Wrong

Three things he must understand about the purpose of celebrating black life

By Tavis Smiley February 2, 2017

A Letter to Obama, in Gratitude and Love

'My progressive critique of your administration: Respect, Protect, Correct'

By Tavis Smiley January 10, 2017

The Other Tragedy of the Chicago Torture Video

All four suspects in the Chicago torture video now face charges of aggravated battery, hate crimes and kidnapping. See Jordon, Tesfaye, Brittany and Tanishia. See the crime they committed. See how swift justice is dispensed...

By Tavis Smiley January 6, 2017

2016 Hurt Bad... So Don't Sleep Through 2017

Five ways to found the future, starting now

By Tavis Smiley December 21, 2016
More from TIME

More From TIME