Arianna: Sharpton's Political Hazing Ritual

[BeyondGeography]

Listening to Al Sharpton rip into Barack Obama this week made me wonder: why is it that African American leaders so often feel compelled to give the back of their hand (to say nothing of the serrated edge of their tongue) to emerging black leaders? Is it jealousy? Ego? An unwillingness to give up power?

Or is it some sort of political hazing ritual in which the upperclassmen mercilessly pummel the new pledges before letting them into the fraternity?

It's not that Sharpton didn't make some valid points: no one is suggesting that blacks should automatically support Obama just because he is black; and asking Obama why he backed Joe Lieberman over Ned Lamont or voted for tort reform are legitimate questions. But Sharpton's tone was so aggressively dismissive, you could almost picture him drilling holes in his paddle as he spoke.

"Why shouldn't the black community ask questions? Are we now being told, 'You all just shut up?'" said Sharpton. "I'm not going to be cajoled or intimidated by any candidate." Sharpton also told WCBS that the Obama campaign had reached out to him, but he didn't take the call. Very mature. What's next, putting Obama through a Hell Week where he is forced to do pushups in a puddle of urine or stand naked in the snow guzzling ice cold beer?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/thank-you-sir-may-i-hav_b_43513.html

[pnwmom]

1. I think it's envy on the part of Sharpton, pure and simple.

He's always been a grandstander, and he can't stand that Obama's getting more attention than he is.

[Demeter]

2. Obama Is More an Immigrant's Son than the Traditional Black Man

He literally has no history in common with those whose families came in chains over 150 years ago. This is galling for many, white and black, who have been here much longer and would never presume to run for President.

[Hard_Work]

4. Oh, for crying out loud

what bullshit! I am so tired of hearing he has nothing in common wihell, than us 'normal Blacks'. Any Black man in america has experienced racism on some level, whether he was born here or not. Hell, I have never been in chains either. But I sure have experienced racism. People act like Obama has some sort of force field that protects him from the shit in this country. Newsflash: Being Black in america IS a common bond.

[anitar1]

3. I remember Sharpton from many years back and

have little respect for him. Obama is a far better man than Sharpton, imho