I still think in this country, and this might surprise you, the one thing that George Bush said as president that I do agree with, I love that phrase, 'the soft bigotry of low expectations.' Tavis Smiley agreebigotrybush Change image and share on social
Jamestown changed the world in many ways, but perhaps it shaped our nation most profoundly the day Africans arrived. I can't think of a more relevant place to talk about the issues facing our community today than the place where African culture became American culture. Tavis Smiley africanamericanarrive share on social
I don't think that left to its own devices, capitalism moves along smoothly and everyone gets treated fairly in the process. Capitalism is like a child: if you want the child to grow up free and productive, somebody's got to look over the shoulder of that child. Tavis Smiley capitalismchilddevice share on social
When you work for something, you appreciate it more. So what are y'all going to do with all the opportunities you inherited that you didn't have to work for? Tavis Smiley inheritopportunitywork Change image and share on social
This is not a skill problem, this is a will problem. Does America have the will to make education a priority? We know the things that work. Why don't we scale up those things that do work. Tavis Smiley americaeducationmake Change image and share on social
That is still the case in this country for too many students, the soft bigotry of low expectations. If you don't expect them to learn, if you don't expect them to succeed - then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Tavis Smiley bigotrycasecountry share on social
The storm came. Lives were washed away. Ancient pains resurfaced. Now it is time for a sea of change. Tavis Smiley ancientchangelive Change image and share on social
My role on television is one of helping people reexamine the assumptions that they hold. I regard Dr. King. You would never hear me get up and speak without in some way, shape or form, referencing, Dr. King. Tavis Smiley assumptionformhear share on social
How do you grow up in the shadow of a guy - I want to talk about the movie in a second - but how do you grow up in the shadow of a guy who really is a legend in his own time? Tavis Smiley growguylegend Change image and share on social
In some states, not even 50 percent of black boys finish high school. Tavis Smiley blackboyfinish Change image and share on social
