As it seemed that America was about to do the seemingly impossible — elect an African American man president — broadcaster Tavis Smiley and 10 black male friends took an intense introspective journey to Memphis and Nashville in the summer of 2008 to discuss the state of race relations, politics, and the legacy of the civil rights movement.
The result of that road trip is “Stand,†a documentary directed by Smiley that analyzes what their and our responsibilities and duties as a people are to better the situations and opportunities of black men in our local and national communities.
Smiley says he made “Stand†as a message of empowerment for Black men to realize the kind of relationships that we can and should to have with each other. And for people outside the black community, he hopes the film will bring them understanding to celebrate the intellect, humanity, soul, and spirit of black men.
The documentary opens in Memphis during the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Smiley’s group — including Cornel West, Michael Eric Dyson, Eddie Glaude, Dick Gregory, and Wren Brown — conclude their trip through Tennessee in Nashville, stopping along the way at rich, history-filled landmarks that in some way or other resonate with the travelers.Themes of music, accountability, and faith were prevalent throughout the film, and whether they were at Fisk University, the Mason Temple, or a simple cookout with Sam Moore of the group Sam & Dave, the dialogue was insightful, comical, and always enlightening.
There were a number of segments in the film that really make for great dialogue. Smiley and crew visit the Mason Temple, which Dick Gregory had never been to. Though a stranger to that building, he isn’t a stranger to God. As the men began to talk about the role of church in African Americans’ lives, Gregory dominated with an impassioned discourse on what the church meant to him, calling it his father. “Forget the New York Times, the church was my New York Times,†he says.
Another poignant scene took place when Smiley, Dyson, West and others were watching the CNN special Black in America. Dyson and his brother, who are both featured in the special, discuss the choices they made that
ite264.tmus/amp4" data-multi-size="320x50,320x250" data-multi-size-validation="false" rtc-config='{"vendors": {"prebidappnexuspsp": {"PLACEMENT_ID": "27198239"}}, "timeoutMillis": 500}'> lead them in two different directions. Dyson is now a prominent professor and author, while his brother has been sentenced to life in prison for a crime to this day he says he did not commit. During the viewing Dyson showed pain and anguish but the takeaway was the support Dyson received from this brotherhood of men who hugged, cried, and became the rock for Dyson during this viewing. This was an uplifting example of black men being comfortable in their own skin; enough to cry and feel what Dyson was feeling during his time of struggle, and not be afraid to express it not only on an individual but communal level.This is a good film for a myriad of reasons; the most important may be that it can serve as a starting point for much-needed conversations between African-American males of all ages about what we go through on a day-to-day basis, how the daily struggles can be handled, and to celebrate our success and stand as better men in our homes, communities, and society.
Stand stars Tavis Smiley, Dick Gregory, Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West, Cliff West, Eddie Glaude, BeBe Winans, Wren T. Brown, Daron Boyce, Robert Smith and Raymond Ross. Smiley is also the director and executive producer. The documentary premieres May 24 on TV One.
BlackEnterprise.com had the opportunity to catch up with Smiley and discuss the film, as well as what he sees as his responsibility to get everyone on the path of accountability — even President Barack Obama.