| Revision as of 23:34, 5 August 2007 view sourceKP Botany (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users10,588 edits Removed both sentencese about accusations of bigotry, because I don't personally have time to verify sources, and others in this BLP were referenced to blogs not reliable sources per WP:BLP.← Previous edit | Revision as of 02:04, 7 August 2007 view source 68.84.194.156 (talk) ←Redirected page to NiggerNext edit → | ||
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| {{Infobox_Person | |||
| | name = Al Sharpton | |||
| | residence = ], ] | |||
| | other_names = | |||
| | image = Al Sharpton 20060109.jpg | |||
| | imagesize = 200px | |||
| | caption = | |||
| | birth_name = Alfred Charles Sharpton, Jr. | |||
| | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|10|3}} | |||
| | birth_place = ], ] | |||
| | death_date = | |||
| | death_place = | |||
| | death_cause = | |||
| | known = | |||
| | occupation = ] ], ] and ] ], ] | |||
| | title = | |||
| | religion = ] | |||
| | spouse = Kathy Jordan | |||
| | weight = | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton Jr.''' (born ], ]) is an ] ] ] and ], ], and ] ]. In ], Sharpton was a candidate for the ] nomination for the ]. | |||
| Sharpton makes regular appearances on many talk shows, in particular '']''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,254922,00.html |title=Al Sharpton On Ties To Sen. Thurmond |date=] |accessdate=2007-04-12 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,153366,00.html |title=Al Sharpton Talks with Bill O'Reilly |date=] |accessdate=2007-04-12 |work=] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ifilm.com/video/2696442 |title=Bill O'Reilly Interview Al Sharpton |date=]|accessdate=2007-04-12 |work=]}}</ref> and those on ]. He also hosts his own radio talk show.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/26/AR2007022601254.html |title=Al Sharpton's Stunning Reminder |author=Eugene Robinson |authorlink=Eugene Robinson (journalist) |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| ==Personal and religious life== | |||
| Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr. was born in ], ], to Alfred Charles Sharpton, Sr. and Ada Sharpton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wargs.com/political/sharpton.html |title=Ancestry of Rev. Al Sharpton |author=William Addams Reitwiesner |accessdate=2007-06-19}}</ref> He preached his first ] at the age of four and toured with ] singer ].<ref name=Marks>{{cite web |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/1203/p01s04-uspo.html |title=The Rev. Al Sharpton's latest crusade |author=Alexandra Marks |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| In 1963, Sharpton's father abandoned his family. Ada Sharpton took a job as a maid, but her income was so low that the family qualified for ] and had to move from ] ], ], to the ] projects in the ] neighborhood of Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/politics/national/2004race/5570/ |title=Rev Vs. Rev |author=] |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| Sharpton graduated from ] in Brooklyn, and attended ], dropping out after two years in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010416/sherman |title=He Has a Dream |author=Scott Sherman |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |pages= |work=]}}</ref> He became a tour manager for ] in ], where he met his future wife, Kathy Jordan, who was a backup singer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/sharptonprofile.htm |title=Campaign 2004: Alfred Sharpton |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |work=]}}</ref> Sharpton and Jordan married in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_14_100/ai_78729057 |title=Rev. Al Sharpton And Wife Kathy Renew Their Wedding Vows |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |work=]}}</ref> The couple separated in 2004.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2004-11-07-sharpton_x.htm |title=Al Sharpton, wife announce separation |date=] |accessdate=2007-07-10 |work=]}}</ref> | |||
| Sharpton was licensed and ordained a ] minister at the age of nine by ].<ref name=NPR>{{cite web |url=http://www.npr.org/programs/specials/democrats2004/transcripts/sharpton_trans.html |title=Al Sharpton Interview Transcript |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> After Bishop Washington's death in the late 1980s, Sharpton became a ]; he was re-baptized as a member of the Bethany Baptist Church in 1994 by the Reverend ]<ref name=NAN>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalactionnetwork.net/html/history.html |title=Reverend Al Sharpton's Bio |author=Stefan Friedman |accessdate=2007-06-19 |publisher=]}}</ref> and became a Baptist minister.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n17_v85/ai_14878964 |title=Rev. Al Sharpton gets baptized in Brooklyn; former Pentecostal minister becomes a Baptist |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-19 |work=]}}</ref><ref name=NPR/> | |||
| During 2007, Sharpton participated in a public debate with ] ], during which Sharpton defended his religious faith and his ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nysun.com/article/54047 |title=Hitchens, Sharpton Spar Over the Almighty |author=Matthew Chayes |date=] |accessdate=2007-07-03 |publisher=]}}</ref> | |||
| ==Activism== | |||
| In 1969, Sharpton was appointed by ] as youth director of ], a group that focused on the promotion of new and better jobs for ].<ref name="CNN 2004">, CNN's "America Votes 2004", web site accessed 7 April 2007</ref> | |||
| In 1971, Sharpton founded the ] to raise resources for impoverished youth.<ref name=" ">, thehistorymakers.com, web site access 7 April 2007</ref> | |||
| ===Howard Beach=== | |||
| On ], ], three African-American men were assaulted in the ] neighborhood of ] by a mob of white men. The three men were chased by their attackers onto the ], where one of them, ], was struck and killed by a passing motorist.<ref>Robert D. McFadden, "", '']'', ], ].</ref> | |||
| A week later, on ], Sharpton led 1,200 ] on a march through the streets of Howard Beach. Residents of the neighborhood, who were overwhelmingly white, screamed ] at the protesters, who were largely Black.<ref>Ronald Smothers, "", '']'', ], ].</ref> Sharpton's role in the case, which led to the appointment of a ] by ] Governor ] after the two surviving victims refused to co-operate with the Queens ], helped propel him to national prominence. | |||
| ===Bensonhurst=== | |||
| On ], ], four Black teenagers were beaten by a group of 10 to 30 white youths in ], a ] neighborhood. One Bensonhurst resident, armed with a handgun, shot and killed sixteen-year-old ]. | |||
| In the weeks following the assault and murder, Sharpton led several marches through Bensonhurst. The first protest, just days after the incident, was greeted by neighborhood residents shouting "Niggers go home" and holding watermelons to mock the demonstrators.<ref>Nick Ravo, "", '']'', ], ].</ref> | |||
| In May 1990, when one of the two leaders of the mob was acquitted of the most serious charges brought against him, Sharpton led another protest through Bensonhurst. In January 1991, when other members of the gang were given light sentences, Sharpton planned another march for ], ]. Before that demonstration began, neighborhood resident ] tried to kill Sharpton by stabbing him in the chest.<ref>Robert D. McFadden, "", '']'', ], ].</ref> Sharpton recovered from his wounds, and later asked the judge for leniency when Riccardi was sentenced.<ref>Lee A. Daniels, "", '']'', ], ].</ref> | |||
| ===National Action Network=== | |||
| In 1991, Sharpton founded the ] to increase voter education, ] services, and support small community businesses.<ref name=NAN/> | |||
| ===Amadou Diallo=== | |||
| In 1999, Sharpton led a protest to raise awareness about the death of ], an immigrant from ] who was shot to death by ] officers. Sharpton claimed that Diallo's death was the result of ] and ]. Diallo's family was later awarded $3 million in a wrongful death suit filed against the city. | |||
| <ref>{{cite news | title= $3 Million Deal in Police Killing of Diallo in '99 | date=Last updated: 2004-07-01 | publisher= | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/07/nyregion/07DIAL.html?ei=5007&en=d206d2bc3e5b387d&ex=1388898000&partner=USERLAND&pagewanted=all&position= | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ===Vieques=== | |||
| {{details|Navy-Vieques protests}} | |||
| In 2001, Sharpton was jailed for 90 days for protesting near a United States Navy bombing site in Puerto Rico.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sharpton and 3 from Bronx are jailed in Vieques Protest| publisher=New York Times| last=Lipton| first=Eric| date=]| accessdate=2007-04-13| page=1}} </ref> | |||
| ===Ousmane Zongo=== | |||
| In 2002, Sharpton was involved in protests following the death of West African immigrant ]. Zongo, who was unarmed, was shot by an undercover police officer during a raid on a warehouse in the ] neighborhood of ]. Sharpton met with the family and also provided some legal services.<ref name="Democracy now">, Democracy Now!, Tuesday, May 27th, 2003</ref> | |||
| ===Sean Bell=== | |||
| {{details|Sean Bell}} | |||
| ===Gay rights=== | |||
| Sharpton is a supporter of equal rights for ]s and ]s, including ]. Sharpton is leading a grassroots movement to eliminate ] within the ].<ref name="hrc">, Dyana Bagby, Houston Voice, Jan. 24, 2006</ref> | |||
| ===Animal rights=== | |||
| Sharpton has also spoken out against ] in a video recorded for ] (PETA).<ref name="KFC">, Kentuckyfriedcruelty.com, web site accessed 7 April 2007</ref> He also joined in a group statement against animal cruelty, during the ].{{fact|date=August 2007}} | |||
| ==Political campaigns== | |||
| Sharpton has run unsuccessfully for elected office on multiple occasions. Sharpton ran for a ] seat from ] in 1988, 1992, and 1994. In 1997, he ran for Mayor of ]. | |||
| On ], ] Sharpton announced his candidacy for the ] as a member of the ]. | |||
| On ], ], Sharpton announced his endorsement of leading Democratic candidate ]. | |||
| On ], ], Sharpton agreed to repay $100,000 in public funds he received from the federal government for his 2004 Presidential campaign. The repayment was required because Sharpton had exceeded federal limits on personal expenditures for his campaign. At that time his most recent ] filings (from January 1, 2005) stated that Sharpton's campaign still had debts of $479,050 and owed Sharpton himself $145,146 for an item listed as "Fundraising Letter Preparation — Kinko's." <ref>{{cite news | title= Sharpton Returns Public Funds | date=Last updated: 2007-16-12 | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/15/AR2005121501824.html | work =Washington Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| On ], ], Sharpton announced that he wouldn't get into the 2008 presidential race this time. "I am not going to run," he said.<ref name="CNN 2004">, Rev. Al is Bowing Out, web site accessed 7 April 2007</ref> | |||
| ==Assassination attempt== | |||
| On ] ], Sharpton escaped serious injury when he was stabbed in the chest by ] while preparing to lead a protest through ], ]. The intoxicated attacker was apprehended by Sharpton's aides and handed over to police who were present for the planned protest. Sharpton, although forgiving his attacker and pleading for leniency on his behalf, filed suit against New York City alleging that the many police present had failed to protect him from his attacker. In ] ] he finally reached a $200,000 settlement <ref>http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?id=7743</ref> with the city just as jury selection was about to start. | |||
| ==Celebrity status== | |||
| Sharpton made ]s in the movies ''Cold Feet'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. He also appeared in episodes of the television shows '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''. He hosted the original ] ] show '']'', and an episode of '']''. He was a guest on '']'' on ] and has been featured in television ads for the ] campaign for the ]. He also made a cameo appearance, by telephone and still photograph, on the ] series, ], when host ] expressed disbelief that a restaurant owner who'd named a dish after Sharpton actually knew him. | |||
| During the 2005 ], Sharpton appeared in a number put on by the cast of '']''. | |||
| In June 2005, Sharpton signed a contract with ], to produce and host a live two-hour daily talk program, which did not air. In November 2005, Sharpton signed with ] to host a daily national talk radio program which began airing on ], ]. | |||
| The character the Reverend Bacon in the ] novel '']'' is based on Sharpton. | |||
| ==Indirect ties to Strom Thurmond== | |||
| In ], ] using the website ] discovered that Sharpton's great-grandfather, ], was a ] owned by Julia Thurmond, whose grandfather was ]'s great-great-grandfather. Coleman Sharpton was later freed during the ]. | |||
| Thurmond was notable as the longest serving Senator (at the time of his death) who was a major advocate of ] during the middle of the last century.<ref>Alan Goldman, , Associated Press, February 25, 2007.</ref> Thurmond's illegitimate daughter, ], stated she would welcome Sharpton to the family if the ] test he claims he will take shows he is a relative.<ref>Katrina A. Goggins, , Associated Press, February 27, 2007.</ref> | |||
| The Sharpton family name originated with Coleman Sharpton's previous slave-owner, who was also named Alexander Sharpton.<ref>Al Sharpton Jr., | |||
| , ''Los Angeles Times'', March 1, 2007.</ref> | |||
| ==Allegations of tension between Sharpton and Barack Obama== | |||
| In April 2007, the '']'' wrote that tension exists between Sharpton and ]. According to ''Post'' political reporter Frederick U. Dicker, "Sharpton has launched a 'big-time' effort to tear down Illinois Sen. Barack Obama as a candidate for president." The ''Post'' quoted an unnamed source, whom it described as a "prominent black Democratic activist who knows Sharpton," as saying, " saying that Obama never did anything for the community, never worked with anybody from the community, that nobody knows the people around him, that he's a candidate driven by white leadership."<ref>{{cite news | title=Jealous Reverend Blasts Obama | date=Last updated: 2007-31-22 | publisher= | url =http://www.nypost.com/seven/03122007/news/columnists/jealous_rev__al_blasts_barack_columnists_fredric_u__dicker.htm | work =The NY Post | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| Speaking to ], Sharpton denied the ''Post'''s allegations that he is jealous of Obama, saying, "I want to talk about a civil rights agenda as a priority, and the answer to that is not, 'Oh if you want to talk about issues you must be jealous'." Sharpton suggested that an Obama operative planted the story.<ref>{{cite news | title= Sharpton says he's not jealous of Obama | date=Last updated: 2007-14-03 | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/03/13/sharpton.obama/index.html | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ==Controversies== | |||
| ===Tawana Brawley controversy=== | |||
| {{details|Tawana Brawley}} | |||
| On ], ], ], a 15-year-old black girl, was found smeared with ], lying in a garbage bag, her clothing torn and burned and with various slurs and epithets written on her body in charcoal. Brawley claimed she had been assaulted and ]d by six white men, some of them police officers, in the village of ]. | |||
| Attorneys ] and ] joined Sharpton in support of Brawley. A ] was convened; after seven months of examining police and medical records, the jury determined that Brawley had fabricated her story. Sharpton, Maddox and Mason accused the ] prosecutor, ], of racism and of being one of the perpetrators of the alleged abduction and rape. The three were successfully sued for slander and ordered to pay $345,000 in damages, the jury finding Sharpton liable for making seven defamatory statements about Pagones, Maddox for two and Mason for one. | |||
| <ref>{{cite news | title= Winner in Brawley suit says victory is bittersweet | date=Last updated: 1998-14-01 | publisher= | url =http://www.cnn.com/US/9807/13/brawley.verdict.02/ | work =CNN | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ===Crown Heights Riot=== | |||
| {{details|Crown Heights Riot}} | |||
| On ], ], the ] occurred after a car accident, involving the motorcade for the ], left a young boy named Gavin Cato dead. A riot was sparked after a private ] ambulance came to the scene and, on the orders of a police officer, removed the Hasidic driver from the scene. Gavin and his cousin Angela were picked up soon after by a city ambulance. Caribbean-American and African-American residents of the neighborhood then rioted for four consecutive days fueled by rumors | |||
| <ref>{{cite news | title= Sharpton’s Victory | date=Last updated: 2003-03-12 | publisher= | url =http://www.nationalreview.com/lowry/lowry200312030840.asp= | work =National Review Online | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> <ref>{{cite news | title= As a Divided Community Begins to Forget, a Court Reopens Old Wounds in Crown Heights | date=Last updated: 2002-22-01 | publisher= | url =http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0203,kamber,31532,1.html | work =The Village Voice | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> that the private ambulance had refused to treat young Gavin. <ref>{{cite news | title= The skeletons and suits in Sharpton's closet | publisher= | url =http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2003/06/20/sharpton/index.html?pn=2 | work =Salon.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> A visiting rabbinical student from Australia by the name of Yankel Rosenbaum, 29, was killed during the rioting by a mob shouting "Kill the Jew." <ref>{{cite news | title= Things Go Seriously Wrong | date=Last updated: 2003-06-01 | publisher= | url =http://www.gothamgazette.com/article//20030602/4/408 | work =The Gotham Gazette | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| Sharpton has been seen by some commentators as inflaming tensions with remarks such as "If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house" <ref>{{cite news|title=Sharpton Calls For a Boycott Of Classes| | |||
| first=Mark|last=Lowery|publisher=Newsday|date=]|page=5|accessdate=2007-04-20}}</ref> and referring to Jews as "diamond merchants." , , , , | |||
| Sharpton marched through Crown Heights and in front of ], shortly after the riot, with about 400 protesters (who chanted "Whose streets? Our streets!" and "No justice, no peace!"), in spite of Mayor ]' attempts to keep the march from happening. <ref>''Blacks March by Hasidim Through a Corridor of Blue'' by JOHN KIFNER New York Times (1857-Current file); Aug 25, 1991; ProQuest Historical Newspapers The New York Times (1851 - 2003) pg. 36</ref> | |||
| ===Freddie's Fashion Mart=== | |||
| In ], Sharpton led a protest in ] against the plans of a black Pentecostal Church, the United House of Prayer, which owned the retail property on ] to ask Fred Harari, the ] tenant who operated Freddie's <!--this is the verified spelling--> Fashion Mart to evict his longtime subtenant, a black record store, ''The Record Shack''. <ref>{{cite news|title=Bad Luck and Horror for Seven in a Shop| publisher=New York Times| last=Sexton| first=Joe| date=]| accessdate=2007-04-13| page=1}} </ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=New Yorker Reflect on a Massacre in Harlem|publisher=Albany Times Union/Associated Press |last=Pyle|first=Richard |date=]| accessdate=2007-04-13| page=B2}} </ref> <ref>{{cite news|title=Plans to Evict Record Shop Owner Roiled Residents|publisher=New York Times |last=Barry |first=Don |date=] |accessdate=2007-04-13}}</ref> Sharpton told the protesters, "We will not stand by and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business."<ref>{{cite journal |title=Sharpton's Victory |first=Rich |last=Lowry|authorlink=Rich Lowry |journal=National Review |date=] |accessdate=2007-04-16| |url=http://www.nationalreview.com/lowry/lowry200312030840.asp}}</ref> On ], Roland J. Smith Jr., one of the protesters, entered the store with a gun and flammable liquid, shot several ] customers and employees inside the store and burned it down. He killed seven in the store, and himself.<ref> {{cite news |title=Eight killed in Harlem arson, Gunman among dead |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |last=Kifner |first=John|date=]|accessdate=2007-04-16 |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/1995/12/09/MN74133.DTL}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=A Life of Resistance: A Special Report;Gunman's Ardent Credo: Black Self-Sufficiency |last=Sexton|first=John| publisher=New York Times|date=]|accessdate=2007-04-16}} Smith was found with a card identifying himself as Aboudima Moulika and he had also used the name Abugunde Mulocko.</ref> Sharpton claimed that the perpetrator was an open critic of himself and his nonviolent tactics. Sharpton later expressed regret for making the racial remark, "white interloper," and denied responsibility for inflaming or provoking the violence.<ref name=Marks/><ref>{{cite news | title= Al Sharpton for president? | date=Last updated: 2002-07-03 | publisher= | url =http://bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/top/features/documents/02179035.htm | work =The Phoenix.com | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ===LoanMax spokesman=== | |||
| In November 2005, Sharpton appeared in advertisements for LoanMax, an automobile title loan company. Sharpton was criticized for appearing in the ads, as LoanMax has been accused of ] charging fees, and for marketing them to primarily poor, urban and African American audiences. The ads featuring Sharpton were run in predominantly African American markets. | |||
| <ref>{{cite news | title= Reverend questioned about his commercials for LoanMax | date=Last updated: 2005-16-12 | publisher= | url =http://eurweb.com/story.cfm?id=23962 | work =EURweb | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| On ], ], he ended his relationship with LoanMax. In a letter to Rod Aycox, LoanMax president and chief executive officer, Sharpton said, "I respectfully, but firmly decline your offer for further engagement on my part, and will not engage in any business relationship to promote auto lending with LoanMax." Sharpton said he had not done the research before agreeing to the commercials. <ref>{{cite news | title= Sharpton backs away from car loans commercials | date=Last updated: 2005-23-12 | publisher= | url =http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/national.cfm?ArticleID=3358 | work =Chicago Defender | pages = | accessdate = 2007-04-06 | language = }}</ref> | |||
| ===Duke lacrosse players=== | |||
| {{details|2006 Duke University lacrosse case}} | |||
| In April 2006, Sharpton went on the public stage calling for the prosecution of three white ] lacrosse players who had been accused of sexually assaulting an African American woman, Crystal Gail Mangum, who was hired as a stripper at an off-campus party.<ref name="O'Reilly"> April 18, 2006.</ref> Sharpton appeared on '']'', taking the side of Ms. Mangum and defending prosecutor ], saying "I know this DA is probably not one that is crazy. He would not have proceeded if he did not feel that he could convict. So it tells me that all of what you said is either not true or he has convincing evidence that would certainly knock that out."<ref name="O'Reilly"/> In January 2007, DA Nifong withdrew from the case after ethics charges related to his conduct in the case were brought against him.<ref>, '']'', January 13, 2007.</ref> The North Carolina Attorney General, who replaced him, dropped charges against the accused players in April 2007 and declared that they were innocent, in light of inconsistencies in Ms. Mangum's accounts of events and the lack of any evidence supporting her claims.<ref>, '']'', April 12, 2007.</ref> Nifong was ] in June 2007 for unethical conduct in the case, including making misleading statements concerning DNA evidence to judges and defense attorneys.<ref>, '']'', June 17, 2007.</ref> | |||
| ===Response to Don Imus' slur=== | |||
| On ], ], Sharpton called for the firing of radio host '']''. On his morning radio show, '']'', the host had referred to the women's basketball team at Rutgers University as "nappy-headed hoes." On ], Imus appeared on Sharpton's radio show. Again, Sharpton indicated that Imus should be fired, asking Imus if he was ready to sign his resignation. The following morning, Imus and Sharpton went head to head once again on NBC's '']''. On April 11, MSNBC dropped its simulcast of the show. On April 12, Imus was fired by CBS, effective immediately.<ref>Associated Press (April 12, 2007) , ''yahoo.com''</ref> Some, including '']'' journalist ], have criticized Sharpton for using the situation "to step on victim platforms and elevate themselves and their agenda" when he should instead be focusing on other issues like the effects of ] such as ]. <ref>. ''].'' 11 April 2007.</ref> Whitlock further accused Sharpton and ] of "exploiting , making the problems much bigger than what they should be."<ref>''CNN.'' Aired 13 April 2007. Video available online at CNN.com.</ref> Sharpton has received death threats from angry fans of Don Imus' show, causing him to increase personal security. Former ''Imus in the Morning'' producer ], on 5/11/07 referred to the Rev. Sharpton as a "crude ... opportunist, a ]" who campaigned against ] to help his own career and raise his profile. | |||
| ===Accusations of racism, homophobia, and bigotry=== | |||
| Sharpton was quoted as saying to an audience at Kean College in 1994 that, “White folks was in caves while we was building empires ... We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.” <ref> ''by Laura Ward'' </ref> Sharpton defended his comments by noting that the term “homo” was not homophobic but added that he no longer uses the term.<ref> '']'' June 20, 2003 </ref> Sharpton's defenders have said that the quote is often used out of context to undermine Sharpton's image.{{Fact|date=April 2007}} Sharpton has since called for an end to perceived homophobia in the African-American community. <ref> '']'' August 3, 2005 </ref> | |||
| During 2007, Sharpton was accused of bigotry for comments he made on ], ], concerning presidential candidate ] and his religion, ]: | |||
| :"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation."<ref> , '']'', May 9, 2007.</ref><ref> </ref> | |||
| In response, a representative for Romney told reporters that "bigotry toward anyone because of their beliefs is unacceptable."<ref> , '']'', May 9, 2007.</ref> The ] compared Sharpton to ], and said that his remarks "should finish his career". <ref> , '']'', May 10, 2007.</ref> | |||
| On ], during an interview on '']'', Sharpton said that his views on Mormonism were based on the ] and its interpretation of the so-called "]". On ], Sharpton called two ] and apologized to them for his remarks; he also asked to meet with them. <ref> , '']'', May 10, 2007.</ref> A spokesman for the Church confirmed that Sharpton had called and said that "we appreciate it very much, Rev. Sharpton's call, and we consider the matter closed." <ref name="Deseret"> , '']'', May 11, 2007.</ref> He also apologized to "any member of the Mormon church" who was offended by his comments. <ref name="Deseret"/> Later that month, Sharpton went to ], ], where he met with Church Elders ] and ]. <ref>, Newsroom, ], May 22, 2007.</ref><ref> , '']'', May 22, 2007.</ref> | |||
| ==Bibliography== | |||
| *''Go and Tell Pharaoh'', Doubleday, 1996. ISBN 0-385-47583-7 | |||
| *''Al on America'', Dafina Books, 2002. ISBN 0-7582-0350-0 | |||
| ==References== | |||
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| ==External links== | |||
| {{wikiquote}} | |||
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| *{{imdb name|id=0789314|name=Al Sharpton}} | |||
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| * issue positions and quotes | |||
| * campaign contributions | |||
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Revision as of 02:04, 7 August 2007
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