Al Sharpton - Reply

My issue with Sharpton is that you only see or hear from him when someone of another race does or says something negative to or against a person(s) of color but he is NEVER seen coming against black on black issues.

When have u ever seen this man coming against the music industry abou their horrible lyrics or speak out against how our youth are no satying in school or how we as black people treat each other in terms of light skinned/dark skinned. I'm sorry but last I was told those were injustices to, no????? How can u syand behind a man that is only seen fighting injustices when it's against blacks but never say a word when its black on black. He is quick to shoo off at the mouth when whites call us *****s but what about when WE call oursleves *****s. "*****" is a demeaning word PERIOD!!! whether it's used by a white person or black.

Just like he is always saying "Injustice ANYWHERE is injustice EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!! including and especially when it's in you own backyard.

Cassandra
www.thickmadame.org

I beg to differ with you sista. You only see Al Sharpton in the news, when he speaks against whites because its sensationalism and its makes good news for others to discuss us in their kitchens. Black on Black discussion is rarely discussed in the news. Black on black crime is always put in the lime light. If you follow Mr. Sharpton and listen to his discussions on radio, and sit in on his seminars, you would realize he’s actually at war with words to Hip Hop community, but you would have to follow him to know this. When the basketball player just got suspended for having 4 guns in his locker, he and Mr. Sharpton got into it, because Mr. Sharpton told him he did something so stupid. I have heard him speak at colleges all over NY. He sits on platforms all the times speaking to African American. He has picked up where James Brown left off, helping the poor here in augusta. He has a tv show speaking on all sorts of topics. Sista this is where they get us. They don’t portray the good things people do in our community, just the bad. Look at how Farrakhan is portrayed, but let someone call on the Nation of Islam, they are there. We have to wake up.

Why do 'they' have to always be the ones to portray stuff to 'us' or anyone else for that matter. Sharpton makes sure the powers that be hear him so why not take that same stand with black people. Where is he on BET,TV One and other venues that are frequently watched by black people and by whites, asians, etc.

We have to stop always placing blame on other people and look at ourselves for some of the stuff we do or don't do. I admit I do not follow Sharpton cuz he always seem to be preaching to the choir and not to the people who need to hear what he is saying. Often times the respect you are given is directly connected to your integrity and character. Sharpton hasn't always been credible and is few as a loud mouth whose mouth is opne only when it suits him. Thats not a leader, thats a politician.

Cassandra
www.thickmadame.org

I hear you sista and I appreciate your thoughts. You have something to say. You're right, but one of the reasons people like him gives us the information is because we don't own anything in tv, radio etc, so only when something bad happens the media immediately goes to people with voices in our communities which is as you called him big mouth Al. He is on Bet and TV One because those are the only stations that will hear our black voices. Check out Roland Martin and Tavis Smiley. Those are platforms for us to learn and understand whats going on in our communities. The question is “Do We Really care” or do we just say we do to make ourselves look and feel good. At lease Mr. Sharpton is out there doing something about it.
You’re right we do have to stop blaming everyone for our woes. I can’t blame anyone for the situation I put myself in, but what I can say is they make it hard for us, and help is few and far between, but if we just keep on pushing we can make it. But not everyone has that mind set. It’s a struggle and we have to lift each other up. (and that my sista is the problem).
Another point, A politician is not a leader but a leader is a politician. Think about it. The only way they can get anything done is through political avenues. Look at TD Jakes, whom I love and is my spiritual father (for a better word). He is Pres. Obama’s spiritual advisor, so when the President has a problem, he gets advice and then gets prayed up. We don’t hear this in the news. All you heard about was Rev. Wright who seemed angry but still what he said was in some aspects true. I better shut up now, cause I can go on and on. I want to put this in a blog so I can get some responses, so please respond because I like what you have to say. We can agree to disagree!

Your right. I have seen Sharpton on Smiley's show and i aslo watch Martin as well. I guess for me I really do not take Sharpton seriously cus he always seems to put out some fires and not others. A real fire fighter puts out ALL fires and not some, while leaving others burning. I also believe we need new leaders. Ones that can see things from the perspective of ol and from the 'generation x' prepective. We need leaders who are about action and who will try to come up with ways to combat and irradicate issues instead of always trying to lay blame. Ok, yes we know this country has a problem with race, always have but we as a race have problems with our own race. So what are we going to do about it? Maybe we should get a forum with older people to tell how it was, middle aged ppl to say how it is and younger ppl to speak of how it could be, instead of this forums we have, which are good by the way but they exclude our youth.How are you going to have a forum of any sort about how to improve situation for our youth and yet you exclude them. They have much to say as well but where is the forum for them to speak. Yes you can ask as many professors as you want to about the youth but the best info comes from the youth themselves. Let Smiley have regular, everday ppl on his panal along with these big wigs so the regular ppl are heard as well instead of the same ppl singing the same song like a broken and scratch record. Also these forums are great to see and listen to BUT what becomes of them after the lights have gone out, cameras off and the crew goes home. We go back to biz as usual until the next time they meet. I love my people and i always will but we talk sooooooo much and achieve so little. I'm about action. If you were to ever say to me lets go to a foreign land, my first reaction is WHEN, then once we decide that, I'm calling the airlines and the hotels. In my opinion, our leaders plan trips we never go on. Its like the church that has a building fund for 20-30 yrs and the church never gets built. Where are the blueprints, the planning and the execution plan of those plans. Thats how things truly get done, yes???!!!

Cassandra
www.thickmadame.org