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- Born: October 3, 1954
- Host of "Keepin It Real" radio show
- Religion: Pentecostal
- Spouse: Kathy Jordan
- Was stabbed in 1991 while preparing to lead a protest in Brooklyn, New York
- Ran for President in 2004
- Former James Brown tour manager
- Political Party: Democrat
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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."
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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)-
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Al Sharpton Questions
I need to get in touch with Al Sharpton over a serious racial issue. Does anyone have his contact information? 1 Answeryou can contact him using several methods email: info@nationalactionnetwork.net (Use a subject line similar to: Attention Reverend Al Sharpton)By Telephone: 212... read more
Does anyone else feel like Al Sharpton has become more of a celebrity than a civil rights activist??? 1 AnswerI was thinking the same thing but wasn't sure if i was going out of my mind. At least someone else is noticing the same thing. read more
What is the best Weird Al Yankovic parody video? 15 AnswersMy personal favorite Weird Al Yankovic parody video is probably "Trapped in the Drive-Thru," which is a parody of R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet." ... read more
Is there a connection between Sadr City and Moqtada Al Sadr? 1 AnswerNo, this suburban district of Baghdad was unofficially renamed Sadr City after deceased shiite leader Mohammad Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr after the foreign occupati... read more -
Al Sharpton Timeline
- 1969: Appointed by Jesse Jackson to head up Operation Breadbasket
- 1988: Champions the cause of alleged rape victim Tawana Brawley, a still-controversial case
- 1991: Founded National Action Network
- 1999: Organizes protest over killing of Amadou Diallo by NYPD officers
- January 5, 2003: Announces candidacy for Democratic nomination for President
- April 7, 2007: Calls for the firing of "shock jock" Don Imus
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