DISQUS

Egbert · 1 year ago

How is this different from reality based shows like "So You Think You Can Dance?" where the audience first votes and the judges pick who amongst the bottom three will be tossed?

These selections need to be balanced and vetted. Heck, it's a lot more vetting than Sarah Palin got.

Furthermore, the whole "web star" thing missed the point but Black Blogosphere calm down...you'll be reaching a whole new audience of offline folks if you're one of the Top 5.

They don't know you from, Adam. So appreciate that Travis continues to at least try and get his social media on instead of pouncing on him and his show when they trip up here and there.

Sigh. Do we get "Crabs In A Barrel Syndrome much?
Egbert H.

Gina · 1 year ago

I hate it, but then you already know my opinion since you linked to me. Having interacted with "old media" on more than one occasion, I have a personal pet peeve of how they view and treat bloggers. The truth is I would rather be mentioned on a blog than appear on Tavis' SOBU WEBCAST. Having done MSM I can tell you that from a traffic standpoint, any appearance on MSM is short-lived, but links from blogs last an eternity.

Why does it have to be "crabs in a barrel" anytime someone has a complaint of disagreement with another Black person. Black people need to fight MORE not less. Did Tavis bother to reach out to bloggers other than the ONE working for him before he crafted this contest.

Second, if you take blogging seriously, like any profession, you have to develop some kind of standards for how you want to be treated. If you act like a contestant in the early rounds of American Idol, then you will continue to be treated like one.

WriteBlack · 1 year ago

What Gina said. The tone of Tavis's contest rules is completely off.

It's plain that he and his people haven't spent a lot of time visiting black-oriented political blogs or thinking about how to appeal to them.

Markus · 1 year ago

I don't think there's any dispute over the fact that old media doesn't understand new media, and I believe creating a dialog about it is necessary (Blogging While Brown Plug ;) ), but I don't want us to use instances like this to write old media off. Instead we should be using old media to promote our medium. We don't need them to become stars, but we can work with them reach a whole set of people that may have been unreachable. I think Tavis's contest was an attempt to do just that, without the complete understanding of new media.

The contest was misinformed not malicious.

BT · 1 year ago

This is my opinion about the whole thing. Oh come on you guys! Its just a contest! Other people who are casual bloggers and consider it to be a hobby might want to enter just to see what happens. I don't think there's any point getting offended by it. He could have had a contest to win a computer or a vacation trip or something. Some people, maybe newer bloggers, will not be offended by the contest and they might actually enjoy meeting the people mentioned.

Is it really necessary to be outraged and offended by the slightest thing? Try to be optimistic and look on the bright side. Its a contest directed towards Black Bloggers, isn't that great? People are free to ignore and not enter the contest. There are probably other blog competitions and contests that aren't oriented towards Black bloggers at all and this is the first one I have seen (other than the Black Weblog Awards).

Some people might not like Tavis Smiley...so what? The prize in the contest is not a date with Tavis Smiley right? Its just a contest that he didn't have to offer in the first place. Some bloggers might feel that they don't need or want the attention, but some might want it and enjoy the chance of a lifetime in meeting some of those famous people. Its not for everyone. Its supposed to be FUN not an exhibit of the best and most influential bloggers chosen to represent the Black blogosphere. If that was what he was looking for it would have been more of a writing contest, or he would have just sought out influential bloggers. Its a first step. Someone else may come up with a better contest.

Remember, even though you may think your writing is important and that you are influential, there are billions of people who have never heard of you or your causes. I'm sure like there are influential activists and writers all over the world who you have never heard of. Relax people, be happy, its no big deal! Go Obama!

DryerBuzz · 1 year ago

DryerBuzz.com asked that SOBU have a blog panel as part of the anniversary. We were surprised at the contest, thus chose not to enter. However I can't believe it has gone this far. It's still an opportunity for someone even if SOBU only wants to include "one" blogger.

Since we've interviewed or interacted most "on the stage" already we were planning a side event for our readers which usually includes an online viewing.

SOBU has had a controversy attached to it each year. It's gotten worst with the last two maybe 3 - first the covenant. Then Obama announcement the year before. Last year was Obama's absence. Now this.

To the "old school" and "new school" from the "mid school, we need to bridge the gap and not make it wider.

jackspar · 9 months ago

Men seeking hot single girls for fun and romance generally meet women of same interest. Meeting single woman, who shares common interests just like you, increases the chances of finding your dream date. So if you are fine looking, sexy man, single or married, there are many gorgeous, hot single women waiting for you online. Meet your sexy date trough online adult dating services. There are many sites which claim to have the entire information about available hot attractive single women seeking men for fun, chatting, romance and long term relationship.

________
Online Dating

Dating Service for Singles · 8 months ago

Human beings should not be lonely. What can we do to keep in touch with those we love? Not very many people try hard to find a true love. Technical progress makes the search easier! Visit our Dating Relationship website www.meeting42.com and enjoy our great Free Dating Service for Online Singles.

Free_Dating_Service · 6 months ago

Great post keep them comin!