Rev. Al Sharpton: Time to Turn in your 'Black Civil Rights Leader' Card

[LovingA2andMI]

Kid you not. This writer was on her way to sleep in bed as the time is mighty late in arctic cold Michigan early Monday Morning then....

The above picture landed right on our Independent Underground News & Talk Facebook page. At first, the usual initial thoughts came to mind: Photoshop Bomb, Hacked Facebook Page, One Big Facepalm Moment in Time Event.

However, it appears none of this is true, and worst -- the picture is likely real as the quote says:

"On the red carpet with Sarah Palin at the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live #SNL40," described on the Rev. Al's Facebook page."

Oh My!"

Read more: http://www.reachoutjobsearch.com/2015/02/oped-rev-al-sharpton-its-time-to-turn.html#ixzz3RtWZGaQa
Follow us: @iunewstalk on Twitter |

[Egnever]

1. Well that was quite possibly the dumbest thing I have read in a white

Think I will go wash my brain now.

[LovingA2andMI]

3. Wait, wait don't tell me

You don't understand in the least why those in the African-American community would feel more than a bit disrespected by this photo? Got it.

[CatWoman]

25. i'm black

and i don't have a problem with the photo :shrug"

now, on the other hand, if he had shoved his tongue down her throat.............

[LovingA2andMI]

27. Well, again --- some of us will defend him sadly

Meanwhile, others including myself will NEVER defend this picture for the many vile, disgusting and downright insulting things this Woman has said out of her mouth about President Barack Obama and his family by extension. Never.

And he willingly takes a picture with her. Really? Was Tina Fey, Amy Poheler, Bill Murray, Justin Timberlake, Steve Martin, Jimmy Fallon or the many other of Caucasian celebrities whom have never to my knowledge, called the President a "boy" in public anyway -- not available for a photo-op? Why post this picture on purpose, on his Facebook page? Did he not take pictures with anyone else attending the event?

Sorry, but on this one we will have to agree to disagree. Al calls President Obama his "friend" yet did this. The action is disgusting and he is no Civil Rights Leader of our community.

[CatWoman]

34. I find nothing "vile, disgusting and downright insulting"

in someone being civil.

And that's what I see Rev. Al doing in that picture.

Nothing more, nothing less.

[LovingA2andMI]

37. The Woman is "Vile, Disgusting and Downright Insulting"

Right along with the Photo -- that includes Al Sharpton in it. Again, Sarah Palin called the sitting President of the United States, A BOY and Al willingly takes a picture with her and proudly post said picture on this page.

Did he not know the many vile, disgusting and downright insulting things SHE has said on too many occasions to count, about President Barack Obama?

Again, we will agree to disagree with the action here. Have a great afternoon.

[CatWoman]

42. yes she is

which is why I give him a tremendous amount of respect in being civil to her.

[BlueCaliDem]

9. It is, Egnever. CLEARLY this OP poster has an agenda.

And it ain't to support Black civil rights leaders. I wonder why that is...

[LovingA2andMI]

19. Are you serious?

It's obvious you have not viewed the blog have you? Take a peek, then do the right thing, come back and CORRECT your statement. However, we know you won't are it is likely you that have an "agenda".

[LanternWaste]

60. I think yours is more accurate that one might at first glance believe...

I think yours is more accurate that one might at first glance believe...

[ND-Dem]

2. did the reverend al ever have a black civil rights leader card? he was james browns' tour

manager for 7 years, until 1980. The Bernard Goetz case (1984) was the first time he had any kind of national prominence as a civil rights leader, I think.

[LovingA2andMI]

4. Unfortunately.....

He believes he is a Civil Rights Leader. Think Ferguson, MO and the Eric Gardner case as of late:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/08/23/thousands-to-call-for-action-over-death-of-eric-garner-at-staten-island-march-and-rally/

http://nationalactionnetwork.net/featured/the-national-action-network-justice-for-michael-brown-hands-up-vote-schedule/

Yep, he thinks so but, after this photo.....he can all but turn that card in --- to the rest of the African-American community who are real in their mission in standing up for social justice.

[ND-Dem]

5. imo, the reverend al has been someone who'd make a lot of noise without accomplishing much of

substance, or building any movement. the perfect establishment civil rights figure.

[BlueCaliDem]

8. Tell that to Trayvon Martin's parents. Or Michael Brown's parents. See how far you get with

this attempt at character assassination of a prominent Black civil rights leader who's done more for the Black community than either you or I have ever and will ever do.

[LovingA2andMI]

20. That you and I will ever do?

Really now? More than I will ever do? This does not ever deserve more of a comment than that. Again, read before commenting as we have the top AFRICAN-AMERICAN owned political commentary resource in our state.

More than we will ever do.... You got serious jokes but keep covering for Rev. Al as he needs it after this picture. Cozening up WILLINGLY with a vile piece of Valley Trash (again, she called HERSELF this) who called the President a "Boy". Read the article for details.

Also, did you defend the Rev. when he worked ever-so-closely with vile Newt Gingrinch to promote the Charter School movement in OUR Communities for hire? The same Charter School movement that has destroyed primarily African-American school districts like Detroit Public Schools -- which now is ran by an Emergency Manager who left Flint, Michigan (another African-American Community) with brown water? Where is Al on these issues ---- oh, he's taking pictures with Sarah.

Here's a suggestion. If covering for Al's misdeeds, then say so however don't cover him up with the words Civil Rights Leader because that is something Al is NOT.

[Ykcutnek]

11. That noise he makes brings attention to injustices that would go unheard. nt

[LovingA2andMI]

45. The most ON POINT statement of this thread.

[blkmusclmachine]

6. Not good.

[BlueCaliDem]

7. Uh...SNL invited Palin to their 40th Anniversary. Should we label SNL a conservative media outlet

for doing that? Leonardo di Caprio was there. So was Jimmy Fallon. Stigmatize them, too? Or is, in essence, labeling Progressives and civil rights leaders "traitors" only reserved for Black leaders?

Btw, Whoopi Goldberg was there. She's an outspoken black woman who is NO conservative. Shall we hurl her under the bus, too?

Let's not go there.

[LovingA2andMI]

21. SNL can invite whom they want to their Shin-Dig

Meanwhile, covering for Rev. for taking a picture with this vile Woman is frankly, disgusting. Do you know this Woman has called the first African-American President of the United States a "boy" among other things? Yet, Al takes a picture with her willingly. And you are covering him for this?

Google Sarah Palin/Barack Obama as we refuse to link on this site the downright shameful crapola this Valley Trash (again, she called herself that) has said about this President. And, again you are DEFENDING Al for WILLINGLY taking a picture with this Woman. Sad, indeed.

[Ykcutnek]

10. Oh, bullshit.

Attacking public figures for who they pose in photos with is low, low, low.

I know every single one of you folks have posed for photos with people you didn't like.

The last time was probably in front of a Christmas tree, AMIRITE?

[LovingA2andMI]

22. There is a choice here

To take a picture or not. Considering Al calls himself a "Civil Rights Leader" why would he choose to take a picture with this Woman who have said so many disgusting words about our President, on purpose?

That action alone, is what is truly low down and dirty.

[Jamastiene]

57. You might have a point there.

I was forced to shake hands with Robin Hayes when I graduated college. Right after they handed me my degree, I had to shake his hand to get off the stage. We all had to do that. He was an asshole* the whole time he was in Congress, but I worked too hard for that degree to just not get it. I resented it. It took everything I had in me not to backhand* him as hard as I possibly could.

*I had a history writing him and arguing with him through snail mail and email and on the phone about his stance against including gay people in the NC hate crimes law. Even the fact that they rape lesbians in my county and the cops and mental health will do nothing to help the rape victims would not change his mind. We do not say Republicans are heartless bastards just for the hell of it. They really are.

[gollygee]

12. -1 n/t

[NightWatcher]

13. So he's not allowed to be seen in public with a white lady at a company function?

So what if it is her, it was for a different event thrown by his employer?

He didn't throw her a fundraiser or anything.

This might be the worst OP here in a while.

[LovingA2andMI]

23. Here's a question

Are you African-American? Just curious.

[NightWatcher]

31. What does that have to do with anything?

[LovingA2andMI]

40. Question answered.

Thanks!

[H2O Man]

14. silly

[JaneyVee]

15. What I think is hilarious is...

Sarah Palin spends 24/7 railing against "media elites" and "Hollywood Liberals" then jumps at the chance to be included. What a grifter.

[m-lekktor]

16. Palin will get grief from the wingnuts for being seen with AL

rightwingers hate him with a passion.

[obnoxiousdrunk]

17. unrec ...

[Laughing Mirror]

18. Well it's just show biz, after all

Opposites attract and all that. Doubtful we're looking at a possible Sharpton-Palin or Palin-Sharpton ticket for 2016, although both have been in the running before. They do have that in common. Can't think of much else.

[titaniumsalute]

24. This is quite possibly the dumbest post I've ever read

I'll never get my 42 seconds back.

[LovingA2andMI]

26. It's amazing the folks that are excusing Al

Are likely not African-American (not to say that African-Americans with the wood still over their eyes won't defend him but it is amazing to see what has been the reaction to Al cozening up with a Woman who called the President a "Boy" on DU).

What does that mean? Better yet, I'll just let this comment sit -- right here.

[cwydro]

28. I can't stand him,

but I couldn't care less about some stupid picture with that stupid woman.

[LovingA2andMI]

44. Is he (Rev. Al) representing himself as....

Your ethnic community modern times Civil Rights Leader or Activist while taking pictures with a Woman who have said too many things to count that were vile towards the first African-American President of the United States?

[cwydro]

61. Famous people hang out together.

Fact of life.

[bigtree]

29. damn these civil rights leaders and their photo ops!

[LovingA2andMI]

32. Again, not relevant....

No fan of Nixon but he did start in his Administration:

The Environmental Protection Agency
The first expansion of Affirmative Action Nationwide
Expanded the use of AFDC to include Adults without Children

Now, what has Sarah Palin done in any format assisted Communities of Color, individuals facing economic hardship or was a program founded on improving anything --- I.E. like the ENVIRONMENT with the EPA?

Waiting on a reply to this question.....

[bigtree]

41. now you're defending Nixon?

Richard Nixon's Racist Tapes: Blacks Will Help America in "500 Years," Only If They're "Inbred"

Nixon gives the opinion that blacks will only strengthen the country in a term of 500 years, not the 50 years suggested by his aide, who must have "somewhat sort of a blind spot on the black thing because he's been in New York." Nixon says blacks need much longer, and it will only work if the good ones are "frankly, inbred." Frankly.

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2010/12/richard_nixons_1.php

and he said, "Negro bastards" only wanted to "live like a bunch of dogs" on welfare.

"We're going to [put] more of these little Negro bastards on the welfare rolls at $2,400 a family—let people like [New York Sen.] Pat Moynihan ... believe in all that crap. But I don’t believe in it. Work, work—throw 'em off the rolls. That's the key ... I have the greatest affection for [blacks], but I know they're not going to make it for 500 years. They aren't. You know it, too. The Mexicans are a different cup of tea. They have a heritage. At the present time they steal, they're dishonest, but they do have some concept of family life. They don't live like a bunch of dogs, which the Negroes do live like."
—Nixon in May 1971

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5079259/site/newsweek/


On the campaign trail in 1968, Nixon lambasted his Democratic opponent, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, for the failed Great Society programs and big government spending. Nixon told reporters that he resented any one who said that law and order was a code word for racism. The majority of Americans, he explained, were decent, hard working, law abiding citizens. They were sick of the lawlessness and violence in the cities. They were angry at the courts for cuddling lawbreakers. Nixon claimed he was the candidate who spoke for white ethnics and blue-collar workers.

Nixon accurately gauged the mood of the "silent majority." The urban riots convinced many whites in the south and the northern suburbs that the ghettos were out of control and that their lives and property were threatened by the menace of black violence. In speeches to northern suburban audiences, Nixon hammered on the twin themes of law and order, and Great Society permissiveness.

During the first year and a half in the White House, Nixon demanded that Congress pass a tough, omnibus anti-crime bill that contained controversial, and some charged openly repressive, "no knock," stop and frisk and preventive detention provisions. It authorized the expanded use of wiretaps. Nixon received a further boost from the presidential commission appointed by Lyndon Johnson in June 1968 to study the causes of violence. It urged sharp increases in federal spending on weapons, training and riot preparation.

Police departments promptly went on the largest weapons buying spree, and personnel build-up in American history. Police power in America now became a dominant and ominous new political force.

Then there were the courts. Nixon instantly embarked on a radical remake of the federal judiciary starting with the Supreme Court. Under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the court was the target of unbridled white southern hatred for championing civil rights and civil liberties. Nixon appointed "strict constructionists" to the court. One of the four conservative appointments Nixon made was William Rehnquist, and as chief justice he continues to wreak havoc on civil rights and civil liberties protections...


http://boards.cannabis.com/politics/55893-richard-nixon-didnt-like-black-people-either.html

[NightWatcher]

48. Yeah, you've already won this thread

This is a pretty pitiful OP.

[LovingA2andMI]

53. This is not an attempt at a WIN or LOST

Instead the point is Al Sharpton exposed himself with this picture period. This is not a cheerleading moment or a time to break open champagne. Instead it is the reality that the true leaders are those kids in Ferguson or NYC or the family or Akai Gurley who all rejected the Rev.'s "help" as they knew he was not sincere. Those are the winners.

By the way, the family of Akai Gurley (look his name up in case if you have no clue) will have their date in court against the Officer that took their family member life:

"On the surface, the police shooting of an unarmed man in a housing project stairwell in Brooklyn seemed like a freakish accident.

The officer, Peter Liang, told his superiors that his gun had gone off unintentionally, the bullet rattling off a wall and into an unsuspecting man’s chest, killing him. Even the New York City police commissioner, William J. Bratton, said there was no suggestion that the officer intended to shoot the man, Akai Gurley.

Nonetheless, the circumstances surrounding Mr. Gurley’s death led to a manslaughter indictment this week, setting it apart from other well-publicized police encounters that took the lives of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner on Staten Island."

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/14/nyregion/in-police-shooting-of-akai-gurley-lack-of-threat-led-to-charges-against-officer.html

Enough said. Have a great afternoon and keep defending Al.....

[LovingA2andMI]

49. Your lame ability at bobbing and weaving are NOT WORKING

Nice try. I named three programs of the Nixon Administration. You meanwhile threw three pictures of Nixon posing with MLK who was a Republican before he was a Democrat.

Meanwhile, MLK is a true Civil Rights Leader. Al Sharpton is not, will not be or ever can for a mill-section be compared to the slightest since to MLK.

Take a seat on this one and try again. Your defense of Al Sharpton by comparing his actions to MLK are, disgusting indeed.

[bigtree]

51. you're delusional

...look at the responses on this thread and *you* take a seat and learn something, for shit sakes.

[LovingA2andMI]

52. Is this an attempt at "peer pressure"?

Again, not working. Not in the least. Have a wonderful afternoon and keep defending Al.

[bigtree]

54. you present Affirmative Action as if it was Nixon's invention

Although President Kennedy didn't live to see the passage of the Civil Rights Act, he did manage to accommodate the lobbied demands of Dr. King in both, his Executive Order 10925, introduced in 1961, establishing a 'Committee On Equal Employment Opportunity' (providing for the first time, enforcement of anti-discrimination provisions and introducing the concept of 'affirmative action') ; and in his introduction of the Civil Rights Act to Congress on 19 June 1963. Kennedy's order instructed federal contractors to take “affirmative action to ensure that applicants are treated equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex,

Almost a year after President Kennedy's assassination, Lyndon Johnson pushed the Civil Rights Act through Congress and signed it into law. One of its major provisions was the creation of the 'Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.' The law provided for a defense by the federal government against objectionable private conduct, like discrimination in public accommodations; authorized the Attorney General to file lawsuits to defend access to public facilities and schools, to extend the Commission on Civil Rights, and to outlaw and defend against discrimination in federal programs.

On September 24, 1965, President Johnson originated and signed Executive Order 11246 which established new guidelines for businesses who contracted with the Federal government agencies, and required those with $10,000 or more of business with Uncle Sam to take 'affirmative action' to increase the number of minorities in their workplaces and keep a record of their efforts available on demand. It also set 'goals and timetables' for the realization of those minority positions.

Sure, Nixon added to that history with his own expansions of that original order, just as other presidents like Carter did. That doesn't make him some hero for blacks. In fact, as I stated above, he not only ran away from his civil rights stance, he thoroughly repudiated it in his election campaign; most notably, in fear of a challenge from George Wallace, came out against court-ordered busing meant to further the desegregation of schools.

Yours is a petty and know-nothing view of history which supposes we can make judgments from photo-ops. I think that's supremely ignorant and your defenses of it are as shallow as your op.


In the late 1960s, Al Sharpton became active in the civil rights movement, joining the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The SCLC had a program called Operation Breadbasket, which sought to encourage diversity in the workplace by applying social and economic pressure on businesses. In 1969, Sharpton, then a high school student, became the youth director for the program. He participated in protests against the A&P supermarket chain in the early 1970s. In 1972, Sharpton graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School. He spent two years at Brooklyn College as a contemporary politics major before dropping out. During this time, Sharpton remained politically active and eventually establish his own organization, the National Youth Movement.
http://www.biography.com/people/al-sharpton-207640#controversy

You don't honor black history or the cause of civil rights by denigrating Rev. Sharpton for a photo op; you belittle it.

[Egnever]

65. .

[rbrnmw]

68. thank you

[Orsino]

56. I will not spare the OPer the Googling of Sharpton's policy meeting with President Reagan. n/t

[Throd]

30. Wow, an OP so stupid I feel compelled to defend the likes of Sharpton.

Some people can put their differences aside for a moment and enjoy a party.

[LovingA2andMI]

33. Sarah Palin called the sitting President of the United States

Who is African-American A BOY. Amazing how some folks on DU are defending this. But, it says plenty as a result.

[Throd]

36. You actually think I am defending something Sarah Palin said about the President?

That's what you got from my response?

[LovingA2andMI]

39. Again, it's amazing the circles folks are bobbing and weaving

To defend Al on this picture on DU. Just amazing. Did you take the picture with Sarah? Let's start with that question.

[Throd]

43. I would take a picture with both of them.

This is about how you really, really, really, really hate Sarah Palin.

I think she is a self-promoting moron. I don't hate her.

[NCTraveler]

35. I will take 1 Sharpton in the fight for civil rights...

over 20 LovingA2andMI's. Nice try though. Transparent.

Edit to add: Looks as if the article was written by someone yet to mature. This hatred of Sharpton is clearly nothing new for the author.

"Believe it or not, the picture has been linked for five hours now on the Official verified Facebook Page of the Reverend Al Sharpton -- self proclaimed "Civil Rights Leader" and President Barack Obama chosen media resource -- or so Sharpton says.

Well, let us hope our first African-American President will cease and desist this relationship immediately after Revenend Al's at least as evident by the photo -- cozy relationship with no other than Sarah Palin."

They call it an op ed yet no author attributed.

[Bluenorthwest]

38. They are both there because both have been famously parodied by SNL.

They have that, and nothing else in common. That's the point of the photo. Every picture tells a story.

[uponit7771]

46. This is not a well thought through OP, there's no such "card" and Palin is a person

[DrDan]

47. that's a couple of wasted minutes

and some wasted brain-time trying to figure out why anyone would be the least bit concerned about this.

I kept thinking there was going to be something in the article worth some concern. But, alas, I missed it.

[bravenak]

50. How stupid.

Many people who are invited to the same place shake hands and behave cordially, even smile.
I met Sarah in Walmart once. We shook hands and she asked me if I was prepared for the high heating costs that were coming ( she was my Gov at the time). I told her I was worried about the villiages. She promised action and shifted her baby to her other arm and shook my hand. We got a 1200 subsidy from the state that she signed that year, helping people not freeze to death. That does not make me a sycophant.

He was correct to be cordial. Civil rights leaders are known for... Civility.

[Neon Gods]

55. Really? You would strip a man's lifetime of hard work for his appearance with a clown?

How many nationally known and recognized civil rights leaders can you name? Who do propose to fill his shoes? Do you know how much comfort he gives to African Americans who have struggled all their lives with disrespect, bigotry, and discrimination who then lose a loved one to violence at the hand of a white cop or angry armed white citizen? Sharpton worked hard to get where he is today: a black leader that white leaders don't dare ignore or dismiss. Can you think of any others who can claim that? As such, Sharpton gets things done that few others can. You would kick him to the side of the road because he posed with Palin, a person whose name will someday epitomize the depths to which today's Republican Party fell in the early 21st century?

[Orsino]

58. So it was incumbent on Sharpton to hide from the camera, rather than Palin?

Concern noted.

[NCTraveler]

62. Pretty clear from reading the op/ed that the author loathes Sharpton.

That didn't just occur with this picture. If Sharpton were to have avoided her, the author would have simply written: "Civil Rights leader? More like coward." This was written in the authors mind since they first registered as a republican at the age of 18. They are now turning 19 and gaining Civil Rights street cred.

[m-lekktor]

63. AL Sharpton is popular here.

Everywhere else on the internets, not so much.

[MohRokTah]

64. I believe this thread will end up on the list of worst threads in 2015 on DU. eom

[treestar]

66. I don't see what he was supposed to do

Refuse to go to the event because she was there? Wouldn't that apply to everybody? They made a funny joke by calling her "Tina" at first.

Should he have jumped away and loudly proclaimed he would not be near her enough so as to be in a photo she is in? That would have made some great publicity for him.

[backscatter712]

67. Once you get to the upper-circles...

Everyone on both sides will have met each other in person, exchanged the occasional pleasantries, and the result's like Ralph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog from Looney Tunes



"Morning, Sam!" "Morning Ralph!"