If you could do one thing in your life, regardless of whether or not you were getting paid,, what would that one thing be?

For Tavis Smiley, the host of BET Tonight (Black Entertainment Television), it would be public speaking. It just so happens he gets paid for his passion.

Finding your personal passion is the advice of Smiley's mother, , who he calls "chronologically gifted", that he shared at a book signing for his "Doing What's Right." (Doubleday Books) at a Barnes & Noble mega bookstore.

The book signing was prefaced by a half hour talk for over a hundred listeners who gathered to hear Smiley speak. Many were upset that Barnes & Noble underestimated Smiley's ability to bring in so many folks, which left many angry customers without books to purchase or sign. However, they did get an energetic and impassioned talk that began when Smiley told of the his home town of Bloomington, Indiana.

Smiley was 19 years old when one of his best friends was shot 21 times in the back by police officers who said they thought he was flipped out on PCP. After the autopsy, the coroner found no evidence of drugs.

As a witness to tragedy or injustice Smiley likes to quote from the cartoon character, Popeye, who oftened said, "I can stands all I can stands and I cant stands no more."

"There are manuals and "How To" books on how to do just about everything, except to be an activist," said Smiley, who wrote his book to fill that void.

Smiley, a Cornel West groupie, said his 144 page book differs from the Harvard professor's work in that the reader won't need need a dictionary in one hand and an thesaurus in the other to figure out what they have just read. Smiley's book presents practical, readable advice on how to change situations in our own communities.

Smiley said that often we find issues that excite us to get active but cynicism and complacency usually stops us from following through to exact change. "We're in the year 2000. There's a lot of important things happening; a presidential election, the census and all the resources that comes from that. It's important that folks of color don't get undercounted."

"God forbid someone gets elected that nominates less Thurgood Marshalls and more Clarence Thomases," said Smiley.

After his talk on the second floor of the large 82nd Street Barnes & Noble bookstore, Smiley answered questions from the audience.

One audience member asked Smiley's thoughts on reparations to the Black community after suffering over 400 years of Slavery and another 100 years of racism and discrimination. Smiley said he agreed with the idea the of reparations but was told by President Clinton on his trip to Africa that until African American leaders came to agreement on what reparations should entail, that no movement could be made. Furthermore, "If reparations means getting five dollars and then being told to sit down and shut up, then I don't want any part of it." He said reparations won't mean a thing if racism and discrimination doesn't end.

Another audience member voiced their concern about the McDonald's located in the street level of Harlem Hospital, when a hospital is suppose to be an institution that promotes health. Smiley said that would be a perfect issue on which to try and initiate change.

On other issues, Smiley said too many youths today are too interested in getting over instead of getting better. Additionally, he said, too many folks spend money "they don't have, for items they don't need, to impress people they don't like."

As the audience lined up to get their book signed, HarlemLive interviewed several people to ask their impressions of Smiley's talk.

Name: Tris Goode (grin and braids)
Occupation: TV Screener
Residence: Queens
What did you find most interesting about tonight's speech? That Travis is very careful about the African Community, he is trying to get the word throw.
What one thing would you do for Free? Fashion, modeling or working with people.

Name: Jemmie Barnes (w/ daughter)
Occupation: TV Network Broadcast Coordinator
Residence: Brooklyn
What did you find most interesting about tonight's speech? That he was very motivating. That people should involve in things. If want to make a change, just do it.

Name: JoLinda Ruth Cogen (blue jacket)
Occupation: Consult€Trainer€Speaker
Residence: ?
What did you find most interesting about tonight's speech? That he was throwing people on to self motivation, without any leader.
What one thing would you do for Free? Public speaking.

Name: Monique
Occupation: Help Desk specialist
Residence: Queens
What did you find most interesting about tonight's speech? I thought that it was very inspiring and in-lighting
What one thing would you do for Free? Stand up for justice, for people who are wrongly accused, for good doing. People who can't stand up for themselves.

Name: Richard Lie (guy)
Occupation: Correction- Officer
Residence: Brooklyn
What did you find most interesting about tonight's speech? He is overall- formative, doing positive things. Putting positive Ideas in people's minds.