Michael Eric Dyson Featured in Savoy Professional Summer 2009 Issue: Moving Beyond the Afterglow of President Obama’s Election

Savoy Professional entrusted me with their recent cover story (Summer Issue 2009) on Dr. Michael Eric Dyson.  Dr. Dyson is a world class academic but uniquely also the common man’s intellectual.  As promised in the article, this post includes additional text and recordings from my interview with Dr. Dyson.

The article is entitled “Examining the Life of the Mind: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson” we discussed issues ranging from his new book “Can You Hear Me Now: The Inspiration, Wisdom and Insight of Michael Eric Dyson” (available at Amazon.com and bookstores nationwide) to his thoughts on issues such as the accountability of the black professional in post Obama election age.  Be sure to pick up the latest issue of Savoy Professional magazine at Barnes & Noble and Borders nationwide (www.savoyproonline.com) starting July 24th.

Dr. Dyson and I exchanged text messages and phone calls leading up to an invitation to sit in on the broadcast of his NPR production, “The Michael Eric Dyson Show” (DysonShow.org).  He arrived at the station and greeted me warmly as a gracious host and proceeded to prepare audio billboards for the upcoming shows. I teased Dr. Dyson as a “one take Jake” out of respect for his broadcasting polish during recording.  During his broadcast he interviewed Lela James the R&B and Neo-Soul artist.

Our interview lasted close to 60 minutes and with the aggressive tempo of Dr. Dyson’s delivery I captured content that extended beyond the article.  Dr. Dyson shared a challenging perspective on the black community holding President Obama accountable.  Dr. Dyson is a continuous supporter of President Obama yet allows his academic objectivity to call it like it is when it comes to his performance.

His response below, addresses a deeper issue of moving beyond the afterglow of election for the African American community and into objectively monitoring President Obama’s performance to ensure the consideration and greater good of the disadvantaged and vulnerable.  The African American community has never elected a President to office until now.  Further, the African American community has never had to hold a Black President accountable.  This is new to us all and in a way a challenge for the historical protective nature of the African American community toward our leadership.  The following is a continued excerpt from my recent interview with Dr. Dyson.

Edward Cates: Dr. Dyson what is your perspective on the accountability of the black professional in a post Obama election age?

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson:

(continued from article) The primary heartbeat of our community ought to be service to others. In that sense Obama challenges us to live a life of service to the community and to the nation.  It’s also a challenge for us to hold that black professional, President Obama accountable.

President Barack Obama also has no room for excuses.  Excuses like, “You know It’s kind of tight. I’m the President for everybody.  I’ve got to serve the entire nation. “  You’re the most powerful man in the world. We really don’t want to hear excuses or that “What had happened was…”.  We are not trying to invest in a kind of discourse that would dismiss the necessity for focusing responsibility and accountability on the highest office in the land.   Because we expect that of any President.  So we can’t exempt Mr. Obama because of race when he didn’t run because of race.  He ran despite race.  We must criticize him despite race. We must hold him accountable despite race. We must pray for him despite race.  We must elevate him despite race.  We must engage him despite race.

So he can’t get a break on something that he denied was the legitimate basis for his running.

I was there and supported him.  Ebony magazine said I was one of the first prominent blacks to support him and it’s true. I hold no grudges and love this man.  But I think we should hold him accountable as he demanded before he was elected. Now it’s one thing to say that while you are running a campaign and another thing to actualize that once he begins to govern.

So he can’t get a break on something that he denied was the legitimate basis for his running.

I believe we are in a position to celebrate his achievement, to enormously engage the pride we felt over him but we have to get beyond that.  We are beyond the after glow and have to deal with brass tacks and knuckles and say,  “Mr. Obama you cut $85 million from historically black colleges and universities.  What gives?”

Why cut an already beleaguered black community of academic interests when you are trying to support schools and education?  Find something else to cut but not that among African American people.  When Mr. Bush kept that budget item for 2 years prior to Mr. Obama.  That’s a tough question he needs to be asked.  Many black people are not asking it.

In returning from my interview with Dr. Dyson I was overwhelmed with the task of compiling a story that reveals and promotes an intellectual of his caliber.  I decided in the interest of the reader to set the article up as a Q&A format delivering Dr. Dyson’s quotes verbatim.  Some things you have to hear for yourself and Dr. Dyson’s response when asked about his legacy is an example of his rhetorical genius and keen focus on content in delivery.

Recording of Edward Cates Interviewing Dr. Michael Eric Dyson on his Legacy

I wanted to share this portion of our interview and hope to share more in the future.  What are your opinions of Dr. Dyson’s thoughts? Please comment below.

Tags: Accountability, Activist, African American Community, Audio Segments, Author, Basic Civitas, Black Community, Black Professionals, Budget Cuts, Can You Hear Me Now, Cover Story, Criticism, Ebony Magazine, Edward Cates, Essence Magazine's Most Influential, Examining the Life of the Mind: A Conversation with Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, Georgetown University Professor of Sociology, HBCU Funding, Intellectual, Michael Eric Dyson, President Barack Obama, Race, Savoy Professional, The Michael Eric Dyson Show