The Rich and the Rest of Us

Listen to the whole segment on NPR! Some 15 percent of the U.S. population lived below the poverty line in 2011, according to a report from the Census Bureau. Tavis Smiley and Cornel West, co-authors of The Rich and the Rest of the U.S., argue that both political parties virtually ignore the issue of poverty.

Watch the whole exchange on MSNBC!  

See the video and other highlights on the Washington Journal! Cornel West and Tavis Smiley discuss their latest poverty tour through key battleground states (OH, VA, PA and FL) to draw attention to the rising poverty rate and engage voters “in hopes that President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney will make poverty their number [...]

See the original post & video at DemocracyNow! New government data shows economic inequality continued to widen in the United States last year. The Census Bureau reports the wealthiest Americans increased their share of total wealth by 4.9 percent, while the median income reached its lowest level since 1995. Some 46.2 million Americans were classified [...]

Read the original article and listen to the audio on Marketplace.org! Last year, famed commentator Tavis Smiley and renowed academic Cornel West launched their first poverty tour. They traveled the country spreading the word about poverty, and the problems it presents. Well, they’re back at it again. Today they’re launching “The Poverty Tour 2.0” and [...]

Read the original article and listen to the audio at The Take Away! Throughout the 2012 presidential campaign, politicians from both sides of the fence have prioritized the middle class, and the political conventions were no exception. According to a data map from our partner The New York Times, Democrats uttered the phrase “middle class” [...]

 “THE POVERTY TOUR 2.0” HITS THE ROAD IN FOUR BATTLEGROUND STATES Tavis Smiley and Cornel West kick off the tour in Ohio, September 12, coinciding with the release of a new U.S. Census Bureau report on poverty   WASHINGTON, DC (September 10, 2012) — The U.S. Census Bureau isexpected to announce this Wednesday, September 12, that [...]

Read the original article and watch the video at the War Room! Tavis Smiley, co-author of “The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto,” joins Jennifer Granholm in “The War Room” to talk about poverty in America and why the U.S. Census Bureau is expected to announce that America’s poverty rate has hit [...]

HARVEY B. GANTT CENTER AND SMILEYBOOKS GIFT EXHIBIT VISITORS WITH A FREE COPY OF THE RICH AND THE REST OF US: A POVERTY MANIFESTO DURING THE 2012 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION This inspiring and thought-provoking book seeks an end to poverty Charlotte, NC (August 30, 2012) – When the Democratic National Convention convenes in Charlotte, NC [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: Leshelle Sargent lsargent@tavistalks.com Phone: (646) 484-4963 TAVIS SMILEY AND CORNEL WEST TAKE “THE POVERTY TOUR 2.0” TO BATTLEGROUND STATES   As U.S. poverty climbs to a level unseen in nearly half a century, Smiley and West reassert that America’s poor cannot be ignored during this election season WASHINGTON, DC (July [...]

Watch the original video and read the original article here! by Warren Etheredge Chances are, if you’re watching this episode, you are a member of the 99%. Unfortunately, in this case, there is little safety in numbers. As the gap between the Haves and the Have Nothings grows, our nation suffers, not just our bank [...]

Originally shown at: The Ed Show @ ed.msnbc.msn.com on June 1st!   A look at poverty In America, with starkly different visions from President Obama and Mitt Romney. Tavis Smiley and Cornell West, co-authors of the book The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto, join Ed Schultz to discuss poverty in America [...]

CNN’s Carol Costello speaks with Tavis Smiley and Cornell West on the strict new ID rules that could keep many from polls.

Read the original article here by Linda Matchan at the Boston Globe!   WHO Cornel West WHAT The educator, activist, and and former Harvard professor is touring the country with broadcaster Tavis Smiley to stir up interest in their new “poverty manifesto” called “The Rich and the Rest of Us.” ‘We are trying to shatter [...]

Check out a clip from Tavis’ hip conversation with Carson Daly on his very late-night talk show “Last Call with Carson Daly.”