The black culture in America should be proud of their ancestry as any race should be and mostly is... I really wonder sometimes what their forefathers would would say or if they would be embarresed to know that their relatives are now labeled to emotional to follow rules and have to be given special all kinds of special treatment.

I hope Black America stays focus, and not let the media take that comment out of context. I think our ancestors would be quite proud of the fact first that this event took place at an HBC, second hosted by one of our own, and third questions posed by our own. The fact is Blacks are an emotional people, and we are or should be proud of that. The question was why didn't he have a no applause rule etc. Mr. Smiley just found another way for Blacks to be free and not be restricted by additional rules etc. to express themselves if they felt it. Come on people, let's stay on track.

"The fact is Blacks are an emotional
people, and we are or should be proud
of that".

Indeed! Thank God for emotional, passionate people. Imagine a world full of cold, remote, aloof, clinical, unapproachable people - yikes! How lop-sided, bland, colourless and dull the world would be.

Tavis Smiley is basically saying black people like to applaud when they approve of something. I'm white but grew up in a mostly black neighborhood, and my childhood experiences of going to the movies in white neighborhoods and black neighborhoods bear his comment out. His point isn't that black people are stupid and need special treatment. His point is that if you are speaking in front of a black audience, why not let them respond to the speakers in the way they are accustomed to, rather than making them behave as white people are accustomed to. What's so strange about that?

This is a cultural response that dates back to their African ancestors. Not to do so would seem rude. The most insulting thing you can do is not respond and quietly sit back and give the speaker stony silence as if you where not interested in what they where saying. I actually find it refreshing and invigorating, even if it takes a little getting use to.

Smiley should have explained that. Maybe he did or tried to. He is a powerful speaker on his own right, not afraid to confront issues of race, class and culture.