-->

• The Reverend Al Sharpton is a minister, civil rights activist and radio talk show host. He is a frequent guest on on tv shows like "The O'Reilly Factor". During the 2004 Presidential elections Sharpton was a candidate for the Democratic nomination.

  Sharpton spoke of believing in dreams and breaking the color barrier at the memorial service for the late pop music icon Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. During the service, he also told Michael Jackson's children, "There wasn't nothing strange about your Daddy. What was strange was what your Daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway."

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: October 3, 1954
  2. Host of "Keepin It Real" radio show
  3. Religion: Pentecostal
  4. Spouse: Kathy Jordan
  5. Was stabbed in 1991 while preparing to lead a protest in Brooklyn, New York
  6. Ran for President in 2004
  7. Former James Brown tour manager
  8. Political Party: Democrat

• Activism

  Sharpton has been a central figure in drawing attention to a number of racially charged civil rights cases including the case of Amadou Diallo, Tawana Brawley and Jena 6. He called for action following the verdict in the Sean Bell Trial. In 1991 he founded the National Action Network, an organization that aims to increase voter education, offer services to those in poverty and support small community businesses.

• Cartoon Criticism

  In February 2009, Al Sharpton criticized a controversial cartoon published by the New York Post. The cartoon pictured a police officer shooting a chimpanzee and another police officer saying ""They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill". Sharpton said the cartoon could be interpreted as racist since President Barack Obama is the main person associated with the 2009 stimulus bill.TMZ: Sharpton Spanks the Monkey Cartoon (February 18, 2009) The editor-in-chief of New York Post said the cartoon "broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy" and called Sharpton "nothing more than a publicity opportunist".BBC News: 'Racist' US cartoon causes stir (February 19, 2009)Times: Protesters picket New York Post over chimp cartoon (February 19, 2009)

• Critics of Sharpton

  Sharpton supporters praise him for being a leader. His critics blame him for the deterioration of race relations. Due to his involvement in high profile race issues, he has a reputation for stirring up controversy. Writer David Horowitz once called Sharpton an "anti-Semetic racist". In 2007 Sharpton was accused of bigotry after making comments about Mitt Romney's Mormon beliefs.

• Auditing

  In November 2008, federal auditors concluded that Sharpton's 2004 campaign for the U.S. presidency owed $486,803 to the Treasury department, largely for accepting improper donations from the National Action Network. Sharpton plans to appeal the findings.The Huffington Post: Al Sharpton Campaign Owes US Nearly $500,000 (November 15, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Tawana Brawley | Jena 6 | Don Imus | Jesse Jackson | Democratic Party | PETA | Election 2008 | Larry Elder | Tawana Brawley | The O'Reilly Factor | Bill O'Reilly | Barack the Magic Negro Lyrics | Christianity | New York Post Chimp Cartoon

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page