How can we create an America as good as its promise?

Tavis Smiley, television talk show host and New York Times Best Seller author, has created a simple answer summed up in just one word, accountability.

This was the topic Smiley decided was most important when he spoke in Nunemaker Hall March 6.

Smiley came to Loyola to promote his new book “Accountable: Making America As Good As Its Promise,” but his discussion reached beyond the attempt to dupe people into buying another book.

His message was clear to the Loyola community — “Obama won’t wave a magical wand and fix everything overnight. In order for him to be the president we elected in November, we as the people must remind Obama of the promises he made and force him to be the change we need,” he said.

Some of the things Smiley touched on during his presentation was President Barack Obama’s journey to becoming the first black president. Obama dazzled his supporters with his clever, yet inspirational speeches filled with promises and plans to tackle the war in Iraq, provide healthcare for all Americans and create job opportunities to cut down the unemployment rate.

He traveled throughout the nation delivering a message of change in the White House — no longer would there be the same old politician assuming the role of the President of the United States, said Smiley. But every political candidate promises some sort of change in government so how does America ensure that Obama delivers on his promises, he continued. The answer, Smiley says, lies within his book. “If we hold our leaders accountable, then the country can move forward and grow,” he said.

Smiley emphasized that people must realize though is that change is inevitable. Every time a new political candidate is elected, the nation experiences change. Growth, however, is optional; It is the only way the United States can better itself, he said.

Smiley believes that in order for Obama to be a truly great president and bring growth to the nation, every citizen must be more involved in their government and participate in Obama’s call to action. Each citizen has the power to make sure the leadership in this country remains true to their word through e-mails, calls and letters to their representatives and political officials.

According to Smiley, the people in the nation know what they need from their government and they have the power to change it. If the people remain quiet, the nation can’t grow or experience change. “We surrender our power by not using it,” Smiley said.

 Christen Rhody, music industry studies junior, agreed with Smiley’s meassage. “We hold Obama accountable for the things he promised to do for us. He can’t do it by himself,” Rhody said. “We can’t fix the huge mess we are in until we stop surrendering to what the media thinks about the job he is doing and make a contribution based on our own informed judgment.”

The presentation was a part of Smiley’s 10-city tour across the country speaking about his book and his views about the state of the nation. Of all the colleges he could have chosen in Louisiana, Smiley thought Loyola was the most appropriate destination in the entire state.

“I was here at Loyola after the storm so I really wanted to come back because this book is about holding all of our leaders accountable,” Smiley said. “I wanted to make sure that I came back to a place that was connected to the text .”

Craig Malveaux can be reached at [email protected].