Smiley & West is a high-energy exchange of views, information, and insights. Tavis and Cornel West engage commentators and guests in substantive and provocative discussions on a wide range of topics, including politics, health, finance, sports, technology, and pop culture.
Recently
Karen Lewis
Chicago Teachers Union president Karen Lewis critiques the largest school closing plan in U.S. history, approved this week by the Chicago school board. Plus, Smiley and West reflect on President Obama's political predicaments, in light of his speeches at Morehouse College and National Defense University.
Maceo Parker and Bill Ayers
Maceo Parker looks back at his days with James Brown and the legacy of funk music, as laid out in his new autobiography 98% Funky Stuff: My Life in Music and his new album Soul Classics. Plus, controversial activist Bill Ayers, author of the upcoming text Public Enemy: Confessions of an American Dissident, reflects on the link between education and demo
Julian Assange and Rashad Robinson
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange sits down with West at the Ecuadorian embassy in London to talk about his latest text, Cypherpunks. Plus, Color of Change executive director Rashad Robinson tells Smiley and West about his group's successful campaign to get the "dehumanizing" TV program Cops removed from the Fox network after 25 years.
Cecilia Fire Thunder
Cecilia Fire Thunder, the first female president of the Oglala Sioux tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation, commemorates the uprising at Wounded Knee, which ended 40 years ago this week. Plus, Smiley and West reflect on the deadly indifference in Texas and Bangladesh, and President Obama's stance on the conflict in Syria.
Herbie Hancock
Legendary musician Herbie Hancock, now a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO, celebrates International Jazz Day. Plus, Smiley and West reflect on America's identity crisis over the Boston bombing suspect, the Senate's drone hearings, and the re-writing of President George W. Bush's legacy.
