I don’t mean to pee on someone’s parade, but I have to ask a question that’s been bugging me for a very long time, what the heck does Rev. Al Sharpton bring to the table in terms of his ability to calm tensions between protesters and police? More to the point, what can Rev. Al possibly do to make things better in Baltimore?
Just a quick look at Sharpton’s experience in these matters suggest that he is totally unqualified to be a leader or a figure of unity in times of civil unrest. See, Sharpton has a habit of stoking racial flames; and, at times, he comes across as being a downright bigot.
“If the Jews want to get it on, tell them to pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house,” —Rev. Al during the Crown Heights Riot.
“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.” —Rev. Al during a speech at Kean College.
“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.” —Rev. Al on Mitt Romney’s bit for president.
In addition to putting his foot in his mouth on more than one occasion, Sharpton’s been no stranger to controversy. He was a staunch defender of Tawana Brawley, an African American girl who lied about being raped and assaulted by six white men. Sharpton was a spokesman for LoanMax, a company that charged 300 percent APR loans. Additionally, Sharpton has been somewhat of a delinquent when it comes to paying taxes. In 2014, his business ventures owned $4.5 million in state and federal taxes, according to the New York Times.
So, now Sharpton’s in Baltimore with the goal of leading a peace march. I’d argue that he’s late to the party. The rioting, looting and criminal mischief is largely under control thanks to a 10 p.m. curfew and a large police presence that’s been bolstered by the national guard. Given that things appear to be headed in the right direction, what can Sharpton possibly do to make things better? With his dubious past and race-baiting statements, isn’t he one of the worst guys for the job in Baltimore?
What are your thoughts on Sharpton? Is his presence at sites of tumult and turmoil really a benefit for the public?
Calling conman professional racist agitator tax evader Al Sharpton a “reverend” is like calling Jeffrey Dahmer a chief.
Talk about useless! Him and jesse jackson are the worse of the worst, anyone else wonder what form of religion eighter of them are associated with? They don’t seem to very christian, and my dogs are better role models!
I may be speaking to the wrong crowd but as someone who wants things to get better with race relations, where do we start? Everything that can be tried, has been tried, with little effect. What action would inspire conservatives and the alt-right into race reconciliation? If everything that has been done is ineffective, what completely NEW step would you suggest?
What does Al Bring to any Situation? A Bank Deposit Slip!
I do miss his Big Fat Ass showing up in his Orange Sweatsuit and Bling around his neck.
i agree the only good thing he could do is leave, but who would keep things stirred up for obama. they are 2 peas in a pod. since they hate this country so much, i bet we could get them 1st class tickets anywhere fast. i have some boots i’d give up to help them on their way.
Al Sharpton is no way close to being a spokesperson or of a man compared to President Obama. Sharpton is only for himself and a dollar. He hasn’t yet told Black Americans what they must do to improve the racist policies in the USA. And White leaders are ok with that and paid him for his BS services. He and Jackson were two piss poor excuses of being a minister and a spokesperson for Black Americans.
The answer to this question is going to be dependent on perspective. If you are a person who has bought into the media and radio hype that is the Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jessie Jackson then you probably will answer No to the question. If yow are are person who has no empathy, sympathy, compassion or can not place yourself in another mans shoes; then you to would have answered No to the question. As I ready several of the comment; I believe that most of you answered No to the question posed. I would not go so far as to say that I agree with everything Mr. Sharpton or Mr. Jackson have done. My vote would be Yes because when you used words like ever, never or always it calls into mind absolute. If you had listened to Rev. Sharpton’s shows you would know that he does not just show up. He shows up when he is asked to show up which is the reason why the media gives so much attention when a family ask him not to show up. If you had listened to his show; you would also know that rev has reached out and has been contacted by white folk who he has helped. Joe Madison “The Black Eagle” another black radio talk show host calls Rev. Al an agitator. An agitator like those found in a old washing machine who purpose is to stir and shake out the dirt and crap. In this case the stirring and shaking is based on public, political and controversial issues. I would rather have and not need the Rev. Al Sharpton than to need and not have him. After all, I read what you guys write and say and there is not doubt in my mind that he is needed.
HANG THIS ASSHOLE
That last response is indicative of the mentality of people who opposes Rev Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and our esteemed President Obama.
NUFF Sais!!!
You are on the wrong site. Sharpton is using his skin color to make money. Where is he now in changing the situation in Florida due to the Trayvon Martin case or other hot spots now? He got paid, incited the black versus white agenda, and then left. Everyone is figuring out he just wants to get paid, not help the situation.
I respect Jesse Jackson. We need more men that are for healing than getting paid. Don’t worry, there is plenty of non-minorities that are using race situations to get paid. Alex Jones comes to mind. I love when he says the United Nations is going to take over the US with help from President Obama. With what troops? UN has a Skeleton Crew of military administrators that rely on other countries to deliver military services. What country is going to invade US?
The problem with the US is a population that is neglect in electing wise and honest men/women and making them accountable. The government is controlled by two political parties that only intent is to stay in power and to line their pockets from big business.
Finally, I m going to catch hell for this. I think the NRA needs to stop with this all or nothing argument to discuss guns. It will be there demise. They should be the lead in driving a single Federal law that is sensible to gun enthusiasts while not allowing the wrong individuals to gain access to weapons. Yea, we might have to wait 5 days in every state for a weapon, but so will the criminal. (just a simple example) NRA is traveling down a path in which they will lose. They need to be a part and lead the debate and creation of gun laws Nationally before something horrific happens and we will lose our right to gun ownership due to a knee jerk reaction by our idiot politicians.
What is really sad is that obama had the opportunity to change the way the black community is looked at by folks in our country. Apparently, al sharpton has been adopted by obamanation who seeks out advise from him. The hole situation in this country is sad….no leaders for sure and way too many liberals in position s of authority. People like sharpton just make things worse. Maybe it’s time for the real God fearing people in this country to draw the line and make a stand for the righteous… Sharpton, obama (muslim) holder, Jackson, farakan (black Muslim,), biden, pelozi, fienstien, and the clintons are all destroyers of this country and the constitution…. Put them at Guantanamo bay with their brethren. The U.S.A. would be a lot better with out them.
Al Sharpton is a classic “One Trick Pony”. Back in the days when there was serious segregation (the 1960’s) he was one of the people who called a nation’s attention to the fact that “some Americans were more equal than other Americans”.
And that sums up the man’s entire career. He seems to be stuck in the 1960’s since his rhetoric now is no different from his rhetoric then…but the nation and the people in that nation have changed enormously.
In a way, he’s sad. What was daring and stirring in the 1960’s has become the “same old wheeze” from a man who apparently cannot change with the time.
Sad fact: If you deliberately look for racism, you’ll find it…in the mirror. I honestly don’t think the man has anything new to say and he doesn’t realize he’s no longer relevant. Once he was. Once he and Dr. King made a nation look at itself and change for the better. Now…now he’s just repeating phrases and wondering why people look at him with sadness.
Excellent read Kmack well thought out.
I miss his Orange Track Suit, Big Lady Like Hair, and Bling he wore in 80s. That poor girl, Tawayn, got sued and lost the case when Al should have been thrown in jail and made to pay her debt. He cast her aside as quick as he couldnt get any more money and publicity from her. Sad. And he was elected to Congress.
If I could”…. I would Deport” Him And Jackson” and a whole lot of others like them , to South Africa , Then Cancel there return Visa’s” , Back to this country EVER” Period ! They are O~So Lucky I’m” not running this Country !
Al Sharpton is a despicable carpet-bagger whose only purpose in life is to extort money from any situation he can insert himself into. He is the worst kind of evil social troll.
Does Al Sharpton ever make a situation better??? Oh, right. NO. And PLEASE
with THE REVEREND. Men like Big Al can’t possibly love the Lord cause they
are way too busy loving themselves. Man, does he have a surprise comin’.
JMHO
The Rev Sharp ton is nothing more than an anti white, anti American, anti anything that doesn’t benefit the negro race. He’s a dope dealer and thief. He also looks like something from another planet. Its unfortunate that he’s a rep for the black community. His, Obama’s, Holder’s, Louis farakan, pastor right (wrong), agenda is to cause nothing but chaos in the U.S. it’s time for all the law abiding citizens to step up and stop their pursuit of destruction they are hell bent on doing.
Al sharpton is the biggest racist and bigot I have ever seen. He takes a situation big or small and makes it into a mt. Everest. He inflames every situation that comes up between whites and blacks. It is a shame that our young african – american listens to him like he is god or someone.
If I owed $4.5 million in back taxes, I would be in Leavenworth. Too PC to prosecute??
He is not even ordained, let alone living by “The Word”.
He is only a half assed Reverend, probably taking advantage some kind of non taxable thing.
Al Sharpton is nothing more than an opportunist that injects himself into racially motivated situations. By the sheer color of his skin, he’s been able to leverage intimidation tactics against his targets to make his intimidation go away if a certain dollar value is reached along with apologetic soliloquies are made. This is what he does, this is his business model. The fact that he’s on MSNBC and yet still shows up to these areas of disturbance only shows that he’s using it as a platform to further his business model from both sides.
To S.H. Blannelberry: I appreciate your clear and concise writing on this subject. Keep up the excellent work on keeping us informed. J Miller
The only one who benefits from Sharpton injecting himself into these situations is Al Sharpton. He is a professional racist and bigot who, if he were any other color, would have been ignored from his first statements. But the mass media needs controversy in order to keep selling their advertiser’s products. And Sharpton certainly provides that.
Remember the mid-60s KKK? Sharpton is simply the flip side of that coin. His despicable remarks about Jews, in particular, make me wonder which Klavern has opened its doors to bigots of every makeup.
I live in St Louis area and Al Sharpton inflamed the Michael Brown shooting situation. We had a live broadcast of Michael Browns funeral and all the ministers that spoke asked for calm love and peace in an explosive situation. They stated acts of violence against the police and the looting and rioting were wrong. Sharpton tirade brought up numerous police situations with blacks that happened around the country and he repeatedly stated there can be no peace after each one. Fuel the fire never had more meaning.
This whole United States is sliding down hill on a slippery slope of anarchy. The Laws are for everyone to abide by (Period) We need the Police! Crooks need Prisons till they know how to live by the law. My advice to those people that feel oppressed is to get an education and a JOB or start a business. Support yourself and become responsible to your community. This is the United States, not some Third World Nation. If those same people don’t like the way it is……MOVE to another Country, nobody will miss you.
In the divide and conquer game, there must be someone that influences and or misleads one or both of the sides, these people are not intelligent, are not even qualified to walk your dog, but seem to always be in the limelight, live well for someone is paying them a good salary, and hang around forever. Sharpton is a puppet always has been, always will be, he sold his soul long ago, and could care less about anyone other then himself. The list of his type is almost endless, and while they never accomplish any thing other then making problems worse the people that follow them never discover this. When you are blind, lazy, greedy, looking for and enjoying a crutch you come to enjoy the likes of these evil scumbags like Sharpton. The Tawana Brawley issue and his actions prove he is not to be trusted, is a liar and much worse, any credibility he had he should have lost and be trusted by no one. But sheep like and need to follow and will allow themselves to be led to slaughter by the most ridiculous things.
sharpton will make the situation better when he is dead.
Al sharpton(lower case intentional) is like a doctor who causes cancer, he is dependent upon racism to exist. Fomenting riots and division keeps him in focus and fills his wallet. Truth or ethics or morals are only a speed bump in his rhetoric. He is truly and completely reprehensible.
Please let me know the name of your doctor. If he caused cancer I really really don’t want to see him or her.
Sharpton is to lazy too hold a real job. He starts trouble in order to put food on his table. This is how he makes a living. Al Sharpton is the worst thing that ever happened to black people.he uses them to put food on his table!
Sounds like the definition of a slave owner to me.
why would the President of the United States of America use Al Sharpton as an advisor? Its like using Al Capone as an advisor, The man is a racist criminal tax evader that should be in prison.
A bigger racist than any white person I ever met. Why doesn’t any respectable public figure have the balls to stand up and say that? The first one that does is my hero.
Come to think of it, maybe Bruce Jenner could contribute his to Obama!
I take it that you have not met many people in your life.
Sharpton, Jackson and their kind are professional race hustlers; this is what they do for a living. They stir up racial problems where none exist for their own financial and political benefit. Without racial strife, they would be irrelevant (and broke).
I find it very interesting that you left out those folk over there on FOX NEWS and radio. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage and Ann Coulter all make a very good living slamming both Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jessie Jackson. Talk about professional race hustlers; these people have nothing on Sharpton and Jackson. It would take a life time to make the money that Rush Limbaugh makes spotting that mess that he does. I wish that they were irrelevant but, that would be like me thinking that this nation is post racial just because we elected a black president. Really!
A black race baiting president and two race baiters with Drs. in front of their names, no wonder this country
is ready to explode. Anybody see this besides me? We need help and we need it now!
sharpton has been a con man all his life. All involved with him know it. He is a race-baiter and poverty pimp. oblamer and his followers all know this, but they still keep him around, treating him as their “point man on race issues,” because they feel he advances their “cause.” CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN!!
All the jerk does is incite his brethren to riot and burn more.
Then we pay to rebuild the rundown hood for them.
He could help the situation in Baltimore by leaving.
I cannot speak about Rev. Al Sharpton without linking him with Rev. Jesse Jackson. Their M.O.’s are too similar for me to distinguish them from each other. Both too liberally play the race card in EVERY situation they insert themselves and in the process drive an unneeded and unwelcomed wedge between Anglo and African-American relations – whether the situation calls for it or not. Both are media whores and care not for improving race relation as much as they care for media face time, lining their own pockets and building the illusion that they somehow have the right to speak on behalf of all African-Americans.
Their tactics are close enough that I would call them identical and that is to play the Race card first, foremost and without any regard to the situations they insert themselves into with reckless abandon and a complete disregard for whatever the situation might be. Both of these men have set Race relations back years without ANY way improving Race relations or the situation.
I cringe whenever I hear either of their names mentioned weighing in on ANY situation involving African-Americans. Their hunger for being considered as the collective voice(s) for African-Americans is wanton, shameless and entirely self promoting as their number one goal. As such, they make whatever situation they weigh in on worse than if they kept their mouths shut.
Both are inarticulate, ignorant do NOTHING to improve ANY situation they become involved in. Martin Luther King they are not by any measure! They inflame, incite and make every situation they weigh in on far worse than if they kept their mouths shut.
Measure either of these men against Martin Luther King Jr. and they are an embarrassment t to African-Americans and in the process cause terrible injustices to African-Americans in every way imaginable. However, justice for African-Americans is not their goal. Their goals are self-promotion and to get any power and wealth for themselves that they can at any cost.
Is the Media so blind and ignorant themselves that they do not recognize this? Or are they and just too lazy to find better spokespersons to speak up on behalf of African-Americans as to their plights, problems, situations they face and do more than just pay lip-service to the problems of African-Americans. Spokespersons who genuinely want what is best for most African-Americans and who are willing to do more for them than to just pay lip-service?
Sharpton works for MSNBC where he turns embers into raging firestorms. He is also a close relationship with obama and is frequently at the White House in spite of his tax crimes. How can the IRS show he owes so much in taxes and not criminally charge him? Anybody know any white guy that owes this much for so long?
On Gray the dead Baltimore guy: word is starting to surface about a prior major injury that he had surgery on his neck/back a week prior to his drug bust police encounter. Seems like he should have been resting instead of going back to his chosen profession. Another person with a very long rap sheet conducting criminal activity, thereby placing himself in a position that he knew could lead to an arrest.
Warren Buffet??
It’s my understanding that they can’t imprison you for not paying your taxes, only for not filing. This was explained to me by a CPA. Only going by what I was told, never looked into it myself. I always file, and I always pay.
Don’t know about jail, but they can take your property or at least put a lean on it.
So what they waiting for, dragging their feet for such a large amount, what’s up? did Obama put a word into the IRS for his buddy Al
The media made him and those other so called leaders of the Black community. Don’t give them the press they seek and they will stay home. it is all about power and money.
Sir, incorrect. I will defend to the death your right to protest, as long as you are portraying facts. A quick search revealed that Mr. Gray was in an accident, and had a lawsuit, but the lawsuit was for lead paint exposure, and the accident wasn’t explained.
All is clear here * http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-83415670/
As for Mr. Sharpton(no Dr in my book), most of us seem too conservative to appreciate the particular skill with which Big Al goes about taking any situation and pulling the race card. Point in Fact, of the arresting officers, 2 were white? Most of the leadership is black, and the curfew put that uprising back in its place. For more outrage, look up “Dr” Stacey Patton and how she feels about Ms. Graham’s beat-down of her own son, a potential rioter who got outed by his Moms..