News One » Rev. Al Sharpton

How We Can REALLY Honor the Legacy of Don Cornelius

Tamika Mallory — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:18:35 +0000

When the world heard of the tragic passing of Don Cornelius, we had different reactions. Some were in disbelief, others paid homage to the legend with a “Soul Train line” in Times Square, while many reflected on his immense impact on society.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH GAME CHANGER: Meet The First Black Female U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot

But one thing most people either chose not to accept or simply did not want to accept was the fact that Don Cornelius was dealing with serious internal issues; so much so that he took his own life. No matter what the root cause, poor mental health is a dangerous issue that people unfortunately do not address – especially in our community. And yet it continues to destroy the lives of those suffering from it (and of their loved ones).

Because mental health and depression are such significant and critical issues, it’s only right to enlist the expertise of someone qualified to speak on the subject. That’s why, this week, I’m honored to have Terrie Williams, clinical therapist and veteran public relations counselor give us her words of wisdom:

We are all mourning the loss this week of Soul Train creator and cultural icon, Don Cornelius. An American success story, Don left us with a 35-year history lesson in business acumen, cultural exportation, and community uplift. That’s all good. We should take some time to measure and celebrate Don’s legacy. That’s easy. What’s not easy is to discuss how and why he died. Yes, he hid his demons well. But clearly they were there because this 75-year old icon with a body of work most of us will never achieve chose to end his own life with a gunshot to the head.

By all accounts, Don was a very private man. True to form, he didn’t leave a note so we don’t know what moved him to end his life. What we do know is that we did not have to lose Don this way. This silence about depression is now killing us. It is real. It is deadly. And, it does not discriminate. According to the World Health Organizations, by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of death behind heart disease for everyone.

As a veteran public relations counselor and clinical therapist who manages her own depression, I know for sure we all need to learn to identify its symptoms – what it looks like, sounds like and feels like — and get help for those that need it. We must take care of our mental health… and get a “check-up from the neck up.”

My heartfelt love and prayers go out to Don’s family, friends.

Terrie M. Williams is the author of Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting and the co-founder of The Stay Strong Foundation. You can follow her at twitter.com/terriewilliams or visit http://www.storiesthatheal.samhsa.gov or www.thestaystrongfoundation.org.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH GAME CHANGER: Committed Resident Rebuilds New Orleans

Sharpton: Cornel West’s Attacks On Me, Harris-Perry Are “Arrogant”

TheGrio — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:23:15 +0000

By theGrio

In a recent interview with Diverse magazine, Professor Cornel West attacked his former Princeton colleague and newly minted MSNBC host Professor Melissa Harris-Perry.

Five Things Black People Learned From Don Cornelius

West called Harris-Perry a “liar” and said that, “[s]he’s become the momentary darling of liberals, but I pray for her because she’s in over her head. She’s a fake and a fraud. I was so surprised how treacherous the sister was.”

West and Harris-Perry have disagreed publicly before in their varying assessments of President Barack Obama. West and talk show host Tavis Smiley have consistently been harsh on Obama and what they see as his lack of concern for the black community and the poor.

Harris-Perry’s view of the Obama administration has been more balanced often based on analysis of process and structural impediments to sweeping change that many feel President Obama promised. West sees Harris-Perry, and her MSNBC colleague Reverend Al Sharpton, as conciliators to the administration and questions why a civil rights activist like Sharpton wouldn’t be more harsh in his critique, questioning why he is so close to the administration.

TheGrio and MSNBC are both divisions of NBC News which is own by NBCUniversal.

In an interview with theGrio, Rev. Sharpton responded sternly to West’s latest criticism that he and Dr. Harris-Perry were somehow rewarded for their support for the Obama administration with a show on MSNBC. “Rewarded by who?” Sharpton says, “I don’t know if having access to the Obama administration means that one is rewarded…All of these conspiracy theorists need to check facts more clearly.”

Go to theGrio for the full story.

Gallery: Landmark Year In Black History, 1967

the-battle-is-not-yours-Elev8]

Why They Keep Attacking Michelle Obama

Tamika Mallory — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:00:49 +0000

When we think of a First Lady, any First Lady, we often reflect on how distinct, prestigious or significant her role is. As the virtual Ambassador for the President, the First Lady usually provides a more human side for the highest office in the land. She is an extension of the Commander-in-Chief, while still carving out her own vital role whether it be in politics, education, nutrition, health care or any other realm.

MORE STRONG, BLACK WOMEN:

Black Woman Leads Crusade For LGBT Rights

Harlem Mom Loses Sons To Guns, Becomes Anti-Violence Crusader

But never has a First Lady been so disrespected, ridiculed, demeaned or vilified in the manner that Michelle Obama has. With such high approval ratings (at times even higher than her husband), there’s a clear explanation for the continual attacks against Mrs. Obama – her race – and come to think of it, his race.

During the Presidential campaign of ’08, many Black women like myself were beyond excited to see a strong Black woman as the next potential First Lady. An educated, extremely intelligent female who dedicated much of her efforts towards working in the community and uplifting others, Michelle Obama represented what many of us either strive to be, or already regard ourselves as. And the fact that President Obama, a biracial man, married an independently minded and strong-willed woman like Michelle, only solidified our appreciation and support for this couple. It’s exactly that admiration and love for Michelle Obama that conservatives and those with an ax to grind hate so much. And they’ve proved over and over again that they will try to do anything to tarnish her image.

When Barack Obama was on the campaign trail, the verbal assaults against Michelle already began. First, they attempted to turn her comments about being proud of her country into a negative, as if she was somehow unpatriotic her entire life. During the rest of the that period and throughout Barack Obama’s Presidency, the right continued throwing insults against Michelle for everything from the clothes she wears to her fight against obesity, to supposed lavish vacations. Following in conservative footsteps, now everyone appears to think it’s appropriate to make outrageous claims against the First Lady. The latest example: British publications printing stories of Michelle spending $50,000 on undergarments.

The fact that White House press secretary Jay Carney had to take time on Monday to denounce the underwear rumor is proof that the allegations against the First Lady are out of control. And now that we’re in an election year, things are likely to get worse. Because Michelle Obama represents so much of what we love, they will do everything they can to smear her image and that of the President. It’s our duty to make sure that they don’t succeed. Make no mistake: smearing them is an attempt to diminish our own self-esteem.

I asked my mother the other day if she’s ever seen any First Lady repeatedly insulted like Michelle Obama has been. The answer, not surprisingly, was a definite “NO.” Throughout it all, Mrs. Obama has taken the barrage of attacks with grace and dignity, while disproving everything with her actions – just like a strong Black woman would. And I should know, a strong Black woman is me; she is you and we cannot allow her to be slandered.

MORE STRONG, BLACK WOMEN:

Unbelievable! Meet The 88-Year-Old Marathoner

Diagnosed With HIV, Concert Promoter Becomes AIDS Activist

There Are Signs Of Hope In Haiti

Tamika Mallory — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:37:35 +0000

This week I had a rare moment of downtime. While flipping through TV channels I caught a preview of a show that will air this weekend: Oprah Winfrey interviewing Sean Penn in Haiti for “Oprah’s Next Chapter” on OWN. I couldn’t help but wonder what their interview will depict, and whether it will show what I saw earlier this month in Haiti as part of a delegation organized by Dr. Ron Daniels of the Institute of the Black World and the Haiti Support Group. I am still deconstructing all of the emotions I have from the sojourn we took, and already planning a trip with Young Black activists and professionals.

READ ALL OF TAMIKA MALLORY’S BLOGS HERE

When most people think about Haiti, the first thing that comes to mind is the devastating earthquake that ravaged the country. That’s exactly what I used to do — that is, until I had the remarkable opportunity to visit the first free Black nation in the Western hemisphere. I joined about 30 others as we spent five days absorbing the rich history, culture and determination that defines Haiti. Yes, there is still great suffering from the horrific quake of 2010, but if there’s anything I learned on this eye-opening trip, it’s that resilience and a passion for life still dominate the people.

As an American who sometimes takes for granted the amenities we have available, my first reaction when we landed in Port-au-Prince was that of shock. The devastation from an earthquake that killed at least 300,000 and injured countless others was still prevalent especially in this city that was the epicenter of the disaster. Parents lost children, children lost parents, families were torn apart and some just disappeared in an instant. Even two years later, the effects of this dreadful quake are visible everywhere, and the sheer scope of the damage was a big hit to my chest. Going past tent cities where people are still living without proper homes or clean running water, and watching young children with missing limbs go to school touched all of us in a way that words cannot even describe.

But just like the structures that re-emerged from the rubble, the spirit of the people uplifted all of us. Cooking meals on the street, mothers made sure their daughters still had barrettes in their hair as they ran off to play and clean uniforms as they went off to school. It was those little things – the signs of hope – that reinvigorated our own passion to continue helping the people of Haiti. Visiting the Oasis Institute, an orphanage and learning center for young girls, we were honored to watch these kids as they smiled and sang their hearts out for us despite their own circumstances. We were all humbled.

As part of our trip, we also spent some time in the city of Milot taking in the unique background of a country where slaves were freed even before abolition occurred in the United States. In that realm, we were escorted up the large mountainside of the infamous Citadelle Laferriere, constructed as a one-of-a-kind symbol of liberty for a one-of-a-kind revolution. Today, it still serves an icon for the bravery and courage of Haitians in their quest for justice. But unfortunately, the end of slavery didn’t deliver a guarantee of prosperity.

Following French colonial rule, international boycotts of freed Haiti, coupled with U.S. occupation of the nation in later years and a tremendously high volume of resources exported, Haiti continued suffering for years. The 2010 quake only exacerbated the challenges. And though there has been extensive progress since the disaster first struck, much work remains. National Action Network and I will maintain close contact on the ground and continue to assist the resolute people of this Caribbean nation. I encourage everyone to support organizations that they trust and donate their time or money to keep hope alive for those that have been doing so even with all of the odds stacked against them. It is not enough to say you don’t know who to trust…find someone!

Whether it’s Dr. Daniels’ Institute of the Black World, Wyclef’s Yele Haiti Foundation or any other charitable group, be sure to get involved, learn the exceptional connection and debt we as Black people have to Haiti and remember to assist anywhere disaster or injustice strikes. We do live in a place called the world; let’s start embracing it.

Al Sharpton Schools GOP Rep On “Fairness” In Heated Exchange

Kirsten West Savali — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:51:36 +0000

When Rev. Al Sharpton attempted to get Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas) to truthfully examine fairness in our tax code in a heated exchange on his MSNBC show, PoliticsNation, he clumsily dodged the issue at each opportunity, reports HuffingtonPost.com.

Building on President Barack Obama‘s State of the Union references to billionaire Warren Buffett‘s secretary paying taxes at a higher rate than the business magnate, Sharpton asked Huelskamp a simple yes or no question:

Is it fair that billionaires pay a lower tax rate than their own secretaries?”

Huelskamp refused to answer the direct question; instead, he countered that the mere supposition that the tax rate is unfair is false:

Well they actually don’t, according to the IRS, Huelskamp said.

Sharpton, refusing to be deterred, insisted that Huelskamp assume that the facts, are indeed, correct, and answer the question:

On the basis of the report—if the report is inaccurate, fine, you stipulate that—I’m asking you, is it fair? Is the arrangement fair, in your opinion?

Huelskamp’s response?

Well the arrangement is not the fact. The fact is 2 million Americans are out of work today because of the President’s policies.

Though the same tired tactics of blaming Obama for the political sins of his predecessor, George W. Bush, is as transparent as racism within the Tea Party, the real reason that the Grand Ole’ Party refuses to address the concept of fairness is because they are painfully aware that the corporate elite in this country — those fortunate enough to skew policies and tax rates in their favor — are in fact, getting rich off of the suffering of the working class.

A prime example of this blatant theft of wealth, is the Koch Brothers. Forbes Magazine reports that Charles and David Koch increased their wealth by 43% — an estimated joint increase to $50 billion dollars. How did they manage to accomplish this Herculean feat while the vast majority of Americans experienced a steep decline in wealth?

Think Progress uncovered the manipulative means by which they preyed on oil speculation to drive their wealth upwards:

Like many oil companies, Koch uses legitimate hedging products to create price stability. However, the documents reveal that Koch is also participating in the unregulated derivatives markets as a financial player, buying and selling speculative products that are increasingly contributing to the skyrocketing price of oil. Excessive energy speculation today is at its highest levels ever, and even Goldman Sachs now admits that at least $27 of the price of crude oil is a result from reckless speculation rather than market fundamentals of supply and demand.

What does this mean for the average American working overtime to make sure that they have an extra $20 dollars to fill the tank at the end of the week?

Each and every time we go to the pump, billionaires are getting richer, while the poor gets poorer.

According to Yahoo Finance, the nation’s wealthiest are worth a combined $1.53 trillion, nearly equivalent to the GDP of our neighbor Canada.

With an estimated 20 percent of children living in poverty, companies laying off workers while increasing productivity and “the global economy” ensuring that American workers are competing with worker in China and Cambodia who makes cents on the hour, conservatives, such as Huelskamp, who are bought and paid for by these corporate bloodsuckers, refuse to answer a simple question about fairness.

Tragically, in the midst of this class struggle, the one segment of the population that continues to be ignored in hopes that their warranted criticism will vanish, is the African-American community.

The Pew Research Center reports that the beating that the Black community experienced at the height of the recession, continues to have far-reaching ramifications:

From 2005 to 2009, inflation-adjusted median wealth fell by 66% among Hispanic households and 53% among black households, compared with just 16% among white households. As a result of these declines, the typical black household had just $5,677 in wealth (assets minus debts) in 2009; the typical Hispanic household had $6,325 in wealth; and the typical white household had $113,149. Moreover, about a third of black (35%) and Hispanic (31%) households had zero or negative net worth in 2009, compared with 15% of white households.

During her investigation into the wealth — or lack thereof — in the African-American community, CNN’s Soledad O’Brien spoke with Rev. Soaries of First Baptist Church in Lincoln, New Jersey, who made the sharp comparison that “debt is slavery”:

When I’m paying last month’s bills with next month’s check; that’s slavery. When I ‘m writing a check hoping that it doesn’t bounce, or when I pull out my credit card praying that it’s not rejected, then I’m living in financial bondage.

Though corporations — and the wealthy Republican who love them — are clearly the benefactors in this unfair race to the top, President Obama is not exempt from criticism.

Though he mentioned financial regulation, homeowners, Latinos/Hispanic community, education, out-sourcing, banks and Wall Street, in his third State of the Union address, there was still no mention of the African-American community’s unemployment rate standing at a stark 15.8 percent, the highest its been in 27 years and nearly double the national average.

Fairness does not just extend to the tax rate; it encompasses the entire elitist structure of our financial system. A system that profited immensely from the blood, sweat and tears of slave labor, while refusing to make good on the loan of our livelihoods and collective economic value. A system, that according to Harpers magazine (November 2000) stole an estimated $100 trillion dollars for 222,505,049 hours of forced labor between 1619 and 1865 with compounded interest of 6 percent. A system that heavily relies on what many consider to be Dixiecratic handouts, vilifying those who are forced to accept them, while simultaneously, condescendingly stating that, “Rising tides lift all boats.”

Newsflash: If the boats have historical, psychological and economic holes blown through them by Jim Crow and Uncle Sam, rising tides without life rafts do nothing but drown us deeper into debt.

When Rev. Sharpton called Huelskamp on his refusal to discuss fairness, he had this to say:

Fairness is not the end result, it’s the opportunity. And everybody in America today has the opportunity to get ahead.”

Sharpton replied with the confidence of a man who has his opponent backed into a corner:

I think you’re absolutely right and I think the only way we’re going to get ahead is we at least have to agree on fairness.

You’re absolutely right, Reverend Sharpton; and, regardless of party affiliation, that seems to be a term that the United States government — with it’s corporate bailouts, clandestine affair with Big Bank and, yes, unfair tax system — refuse to comprehend.

I’m quite sure that Warren Buffett’s secretary would agree.

Remembering Ugandan LGBT Activist David Kato

Al Sharpton to Eulogize Etta James Funeral Services

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:00:16 +0000

NEW YORK (AP) — A public viewing will be held Friday for singer Etta James, and the Rev. Al Sharpton will eulogize the late legend at a private funeral Saturday.

A statement from Sharpton’s representative Tuesday said the funeral will include performances by celebrities, but those names were not announced.

James died last Friday at age 73 after battling leukemia and other ailments, including dementia. She was most famous for her classic “At Last,” but over her decades-long career, she became revered for her passionate singing voice.

The public viewing will be held in Inglewood and the funeral will be held in Gardena, both in the Los Angeles area.

The family is asking that any donations be sent to the Philadelphia-based Rhythm & Blues Foundation.

SEE ALSO:

Ten Best Oscar Roundtable Moments

Tiger Woods Angry Over New Book

Sharpton Announces Voting Rights March At King Day Breakfast

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:49:35 +0000

Monday, January 16, 2012– This morning at National Action Network’s (NAN) annual King Day Breakfast in Washington, D.C., NAN Founder and President Rev. Al Sharpton made key announcements in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther, King, Jr.

First, Rev. Sharpton announced that during the remembrance of Bloody Sunday beginning March 4th he will lead a 5-day March commemorating the historic 1965 Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March. The march will begin at the Edmund Pettus Bridge ending with a rally at the Alabama State Capitol on Friday, March 9. The March is in support of Voting Rights and to highlight the continuing efforts against Voter Suppression.

This includes the efforts to defeat Voter Identification Laws and reverse anti-Immigration laws in the state of Alabama. Secondly, Rev. Sharpton announced that National Action Network will lead a rally on March 27th in Washington, DC, at the United States Supreme Court as arguments are heard on Obama Care.

According to Rev. Sharpton:

It is important that we not just remember what Dr. King and others did in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act that came as a result of the Selma to Montgomery march. We must preserve it against Voter ID Laws and the early voting and voter suppression attempts that are taking place today. To celebrate Dr. King and allow them to undermine him is hypocritical. Therefore on March 4th we will gather in Selma, Alabama, and march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and march again to Montgomery, Alabama against Voter ID and voter suppression laws culminating with a huge rally that Friday.

The effort to make the Health Care Act unconstitutional is not just a challenge to Health Care but a challenge to federal government superseding state government and protecting its citizens. We will be in mass marching and rallying on the day this is argues at the SC to demand in the name of Dr. King that we stop those that engage in interposing federal law with state law and nullifying federal rights to protect its citizens.

How We Should Celebrate Dr. King in 2012

Rev. Al Sharpton — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:24:29 +0000

Every year, we pay homage to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the month of January. Most offices are closed, kids are home from school and people generally enjoy the day off from their normal routines. But how many of us take the time to emulate Dr. King’s teachings? How many of us actually understand the fight he waged on our behalf? How many of us emulate his nonviolent dedication to defending the poor and seeking economic justice in society? In 2012, instead of just verbally praising Dr. King, we should continue his quest for equality and tackle today’s greatest civil rights challenges: leveling the playing field for everyone, fighting voter suppression, establishing stricter gun laws, a commitment to end international potential warfare and providing a quality education in our most impoverished areas. Then and only then will we truly understand the depth and meaning of celebrating Dr. King’s life, legacy and purpose.

One of Dr. King’s last efforts prior to his untimely death was the Poor People’s Campaign. Combating issues of economic justice and housing for the poor, the campaign included an ‘Economic Bill of Rights’, and efforts to lobby elected officials to pass progressive legislation. Because Dr. King intently understood that the most vulnerable and disenfranchised in society were the poor, he dedicated much of his own life to giving them a platform, fighting for their rights and creating a society where they would no longer be dehumanized. Today, as many politicians cut vital programs like food stamps and unemployment insurance, the poor are increasingly watching their concerns fall on deaf ears and their voices drowned out in a sea of political wrangling. That is precisely why we cannot sit silently in the face of oppression. Until the weakest among us are afforded the same opportunities as the wealthiest, we cannot in good conscious accept that the fight for justice is complete.

One of the greatest civil rights achievements we ever obtained was the capability to vote. Long denied the very basic ability to participate in the electoral process of the nation we helped construct, African Americans spent years post-slavery battling poll taxes and other discriminatory practices in order to secure the promise of one man, one vote. After some literally gave their lives so that others could one day participate in the democratic process of this nation, we are now watching that very core human right once again under attack. Passing ‘voter ID requirements’, several states have taken it upon themselves to alter the way in which citizens elect their next leaders. A poll tax by a new name, these voter ID laws are nothing more than intimidation tactics to keep the poor and people of color away from the polls. It is the most egregious and outrageous form of voter suppression we have ever witnessed in our lifetimes. And it is a blatant attempt to reverse the very work Dr. King dedicated his life to.

When it comes to communities of color in the U.S., one of the most tragic realities we face is the rampant rise in gun usage and violence. We can argue as to the root causes of this rise — whether it be poverty, lack of jobs, inadequate schools, lack of opportunities — but the fact remains that it is our children we are burying and our families that are being torn apart. The larger question is, why are these guns so readily available? As the national rise in violence reaches epic proportions, we must create strict national gun laws, and we must establish programs to diminish this senseless violence. Whether it’s conducting gun buyback events, creating more alternatives for people to resolve their disputes, providing counseling where it’s often needed and seeking increased employment/opportunities for the disenfranchised, we must work together to save all of our collective futures.

If Dr. King were alive today, another issue he would tackle head on would be increasing warfare around the world. As a man of the cloth and someone who embodied peaceful protest, he was always fervent in his anti-war stance. At a time when potential international warfare threatens stability in many nations and pushes us at home into deeper debt, we must look at potential conflicts through his lens.

And finally, no society can advance to the next level if all of its children do not receive the same quality education. As I’ve stated many times in the past, education is often times the key that opens the door to entirely new possibilities and helps to equalize the playing field like nothing else can. But when a child doesn’t receive adequate education because of his/her socio-economic status, then we have failed as a nation. As perhaps our greatest modern civil rights struggle to date, good education is something we must ensure all children receive regardless of their race or income status. We agreed that ‘separate but equal’ was separate and unfair; now let’s work to create a united, equal educational system for all.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends,” were words spoken by the great Dr. King. As we gather to honor this civil rights advocate, let’s remember to pick up the mantle and continue the good fight, for there are many obstacles which remain. So let us not celebrate in silence, but commemorate with our actions; do something today to bring justice for tomorrow.

Reverend Al Sharpton is the president of National Action Network and host of PoliticsNation on MSNBC.

King Day Events With Sharpton And Motown Founder Berry Gordy

NewsOne Staff — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:23:14 +0000

The Rev. Al Sharpton and his organization, the National Action Network, will be leading a number of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day festivities in New York City this weekend.

SEE ALSO: Black Latinos Talk Struggles

On Monday morning, January 16, Sharpton will be joined by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy for a prayer breakfast called “King, Don’t Just Celebrate, Emulate.” Radio One CEO Alfred C. Liggins III is scheduled to present Gordy with a service award. [EDITOR'S NOTE: NewsOne is owned by Radio One]

And later that day, the National Action Network will be hosting a public policy forum entitled “What Would Dr. King Say, What Would Dr. King Do About The Culture Of Gun Violence?”

More details and live streams will be available on the National Action Network website.

NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK LIVESTREAM:

The 10 Smartest Black People I’ve Ever Met

Dr. Boyce Watkins — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:00:32 +0000

Here’s a list of Black folks who’ve most impressed me with the power of their brains and the depth of their abilities:

1) Al Sharpton: Rev. Al and I fight … all the time – the fights are usually over President Barack Obama – but I have to give respect where it’s due. Sitting and speaking with Rev. Sharpton is one of the most-fascinating experiences I’ve ever had. Every sentence is a goldmine of understanding on politics, celebrity life, civil rights, and everything else. I’ve rarely seen anyone with the ability to process information as quickly or manage as many relationships as Rev. Sharpton. Had he not been a Baptist minister, Rev. Al could have easily been a professor.

2) Yvette Carnell: Political analysis Yvette Carnell has a mind so sharp that she can cut your head off from 20 feet away. A student of philosophy and political science, Yvette can understand the intricacies of modern politics and social commentary in ways that are rarely seen in public discourse. As our community works to find ways to incorporate more Black women into the leadership structure, I expect Yvette to be one of the great thinkers of our generation.

3) Marc Lamont Hill: I met Columbia University professor Marc Lamont Hill five years ago. To this day, I’ve rarely seen anyone with the ability to think so swiftly and then back up his thinking with sheer hustle. Marc started with almost nothing and created opportunities out of thin air. He spars with Bill O’Reilly with the discipline and skill of a Kung-Fu master, sneaking in brutal jabs and counter punches as if he were starring in a Bruce Lee movie. I don’t know Marc’s IQ, but I expect that he’s smarter than the average brother.

4) Barack Obama, I mean, Michelle: As an American, I am happy to have Barack Obama as my president. As a black American, I would rather have Michelle. My speculation is that the source of tension between Michelle Obama and President Obama’s advisers (as stated in the recent book by New York Times writer Jody Kantor) is that Michelle is a brilliant leader trapped in a First Lady’s body. She’s not meant to simply read books to school children and appear on Nickelodeon episodes. She’s meant to be in the driver’s seat.

5) Michael Eric Dyson: I still remember the day when I saw scholar Michael Eric Dyson for the first time on BET 17 years ago. From that moment, I wanted to become a public scholar. The man spit four syllable words with the skill of the greatest Brooklyn MC and dropped knowledge like a piano being tossed off a 10-story building. Mike is one of the great scholars of our day, and it wasn’t by coincidence.

6) Wendy Williams: I’ve been on media personality Wendy Williams’ radio show about six times. As ghetto-fabulous, raunchy, and trifling as she can be, I could see her brilliance from our first interaction. Beyond the “interesting” public persona is a sharp, cool, calculated businesswoman who knows how to work her brand. She was chased out of the New York media market only to come back years later and take it by storm. Those neurons in her skull made it all possible.

7) Harry Belafonte: Do you know anyone else who can flow, fight, and articulate this well at the age of 84? I thought not. The only word that comes to mind when I think about singer and social activist Harry Belafonte is “deeyamm.”

8) Cornel West: When I ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” I look at American philosopher Cornel West. When I think about the greatest modern day embodiment of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (another activist, scholar, and man of God), I look at the man with the crazy hair and black suit. Cornel has lost a significant amount of money from his willingness to put it all on the line to stand up for black, brown and poor people. Unfortunately, too many of us are afraid to stand with him.

9) Dr. Julianne Malveaux: Right after seeing Michael Eric Dyson on BET and deciding to become a public scholar, I read “Sex, Lies and Stereotypes” by Bennett College President Dr. Julianne Malveaux. Few of us fully understand how hard it is to get through a PhD program in Economics at MIT, but Dr. Malveaux knows this well – imagine studying 12 hours a day, seven days a week and still not being prepared for the exam. Julianne is the new Dorothy Height and the woman who should be leading all of us into the 21^st century.

10) Rev. Jesse Jackson: How a man fights on an issue every day for 45 years straight is beyond me. Rev. Jackson has never flinched, buckled, folded or lost focus. He’s faced the haters, the conspirators, and those who want to see him fail only to emerge victorious every time. He’s even been listed as one of the top three men on earth most likely to be assassinated. Even after making mistakes, he gets right back up and keeps going as if the blip on the radar screen wasn’t even a real blip. I learn a lot from watching Rev. Jackson and know with almost complete certainty that I could never replicate what he has accomplished.

That’s my list, love it or hate it. But I argue that these individuals help form the body of black intellectual icons of this decade. There are others out there, some whom are just as good. It is my hope and expectation that they will use these models as examples of how Black people do it in the 21^st century. All of us are meant to be great.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

SEE ALSO:

D.C. Teen Killed For $200 Sneakers

Is Common Too Classy For Drake Beef?

In Politics, A Closed Mouth Won’t Get Fed

Tamika Mallory — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:10:08 +0000

While watching the Iowa caucus this past Tuesday and all the analysis that ensued, I had a random thought: I wonder how many Black women live in that state?

SEE ALSO:

Did Romney Have 20 Incorrect Votes?

College Kids Boo Santorum

In a vastly conservative part of the country, how many Black women are Republicans and how many participated in the famed caucus? As the focus now shifts to the New Hampshire primary, I realize more and more that my thoughts aren’t random at all; they are actually very relevant. As the GOP attempt to “diversify” and branch out (so they say), whose issues are they really addressing? Do we ever hear poor people’s concerns, women’s issues or young folks’ apprehensions ever answered? The answer is a definite, “Hell, no!” But, the real question is, who is to blame?

Growing up as a Black woman in a multicultural city, I was exposed to differing viewpoints and ideas at an early age. What I quickly grasped as a young kid is the notion of “a closed mouth won’t get fed.” If you don’t speak up, raise your concerns, let your voice be heard, nobody will pay attention and nothing will change. Silently going along with the status quo and accepting unfair practices will get you nothing but more injustice and frustration. You must make your issues a priority if you intend on seeing a different result going forward. That’s a vital lesson that I’ve carried with me throughout my work at National Action Network and in my everyday life. If you do not make others recognize and respect your grievances, things will remain the same forever. And that’s precisely the concept we must remember when it comes to politics, the 2012 election, and our future.

Over the last several months, I carefully observed the Republican debates to see what these candidates were discussing and more importantly, whom they were addressing. Never did I hear concern for the poor, or policies that would improve the lives of the impoverished. Instead, what I consistently heard was talk of more tax breaks for the wealthy and improvements for big business. Never was there a mention of African Americans (forget about Black women specifically) and the unjust hurdles facing us. And never did I hear any concise solutions for this nation’s youth and how we could improve their possibility for a stable tomorrow. After these past few months of campaigning, the GOP has made it abundantly clear that they are not concerned with my issues, nor that of the next generation.

Now as these candidates head to the next primary, we must ask ourselves, how can we make our issues a priority? How can we get them to acknowledge us and address our concerns in a respectful manner? To all the Black Republicans out there, I say raise your voice and try to shed light on some of the Black communities’ issues. That’s the only way we will truly see if all the talk of “inclusion” is a reality. Let’s hold all of the contenders accountable and let’s watch if they really have the backbone to match their rhetoric.

Black Couple Donates Priceless Art Collection

Al Sharpton And Rachel Maddow Rip Ron Paul Over Racist Newsletters

Casey Gane-McCalla, Lead Blogger — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:19:51 +0000

On his MSNBC show, activist and media personality, the Reverend Al Sharpton discussed Ron Paul’s racist newsletters and their implications. Clearly Sharpton believes that Ron Paul has some explaining to do, pointing out that he was bragging about the newsletters in 1995, while denying knowledge of them today.

Rachel Maddow also discussed the racist newletters on her MSNBC show with Princeton professor, Mellissa Harris-Perry who says she believes that Ron Paul is a racist and does not believe that he did not know what was going on with the newsletters.

Al Sharpton On Ron Paul’s Racist Newsletters

Rachel Maddow And Mellissa Harris Perry On Ron Paul’s Racist Newsletters

Al Sharpton And Don King Unite To Feed Those In Need

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:28:55 +0000

MSNBC host Al Sharpton and iconic boxing promoter Don King will give away hundreds of turkeys in Harlem, Queens, and other parts of the City on Monday. It all takes place at the National Action Network 106 West 145th Streetin New York, Monday, December 19, 2011 1:00 p.m. In addition to giving away turkeys at NAN’s Harlem headquarters, NAN and Don King are giving turkeys to the Sean Elijah Bell Community Center where William Bell, Sean Bell’s father and the director of the center will give away turkeys next week. There are also turkeys being given to FDNY.

SEE ALSO:

Man Steals His Date’s Car

India Raids Toxic Booze Makers

Forget Debate Over “Plan B” Pill: What Happened To Plan A?

Tamika Mallory — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:20:45 +0000

There’s an old saying that goes: it takes a village to raise a child. But how many of us really understand what this means? Based on the continuing ridiculous debate over Plan B contraception and young girls, apparently not too many of us. If we actually realized that our youth need the input and guidance of parents, teachers, family members, clergy, elected officials and the community at large, we wouldn’t be worried about whether or not an 11-year-old can buy a morning-after pill by herself. The fact that we’re even having this conversation makes me realize that we have all lost our damn (can I say that?) minds. Why are 11, 12 and 13-year-olds not planning for education, careers and their own lives? Or better yet simply dressing up their dolls? What ever happened to Plan A?

When Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that she was overruling the F.D.A’s decision to allow the Plan B One-Step pill to be sold over-the-counter to women of all ages, a firestorm erupted. Many on the left said science was being ignored and every person of child-bearing age should have access to the medication, while the Catholic Church has been pushing for an all-out ban on the drug completely. First of all, the fact that young girls are having sex to begin with is troubling to a parent like myself, but if they are, why would we ever want them making such heart-wrenching decisions by themselves? Having unchecked access to the morning-after pill would leave these minors even more isolated, and because they are so impressionable at that age, they may easily abuse the drug as some form of contraceptive. What is supposed to be used as a last resort, could be misused as birth control or falsely perceived to prevent STDs.

President Obama praised Secretary Sebelius’ actions this week. Citing his own daughters, he said: ‘I think most parents would probably feel the same way … I will say this, as the father of two young daughters, I think it is important for us to make sure that, you know, we apply some common sense to various rules when it comes to over-the-counter medicine.” I commend the administration and Secretary Sebelius for taking this bold action. While women 17 and older will still be able to purchase Plan B over-the-counter, all those 16 and younger will not. To me, this is a no brainer.

Our problem in society is that we in the community have stopped actively raising the next generation together. Just as we should intervene when we see our neighbor’s kid stealing, we should just as easily give advice to our neighbor’s young girl who may be missing affection as her parents work multiple jobs to keep food on the table. We used to be a community that cared. We used to help out one another even when the world’s brutality was upon us. And we must do it again. There’s absolutely no reason why a girl should be purchasing a morning-after pill on her own. We need to show her that she too has a shot at a successful, meaningful life. That should be her Plan A, bottom-line.

SEE ALSO:

DSK Maid Acts Out Assault On Tape

Can Food Make You Infertile?

Al Sharpton Spearheads Multi-City Rally

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:21:37 +0000

As African American unemployment hovers at a dismal 15 percent and voter ID laws threaten to undermine the political power of millions of Blacks and Latinos, Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network (NAN) in a partnership with the labor union AFSCME, clergy, labor and civil rights leaders from around the nation are staging a multi-city rally on Friday, December 9to bring attention to key economic and equality issues.

The rallies are expected to attract thousands of activists and citizens in cities that are the most effected by joblessness, and by attacks on workers and voters rights.

New York

Philadelphia

Cleveland

Indianapolis

Atlanta

Chicago

Houston

Las Vegas

Memphis

Baltimore

Detroit

Boston

Newark

are among the more the 25 cities that will hold rallies.

According to an NAN press release:

In recent years, too many American families have lost economic ground. Over the decade ending in 2009, median family income fell by $3,800. And the gap between the wealthiest Americans and those with the least is growing every day, making it tougher to enter into the middle class. With African American unemployment at an unacceptable 15%, this is a clear sign that we need action-inaction is not an option. Black layoffs have only skyrocketed as the public sector – heavily comprised of a Black workforce – continues to slash jobs. And as a result, not only has Black wealth diminished, but so too has the existence of much of this nation’s Black middle class itself. Black, White or Brown – that is a startling reality that should have all of us deeply concerned.

For more information including locations and times in each city please visit:

www.nationalactionnetwork.net

RELATED:

Why Newt Scares Me

What’s Behind Egypt’s Alarming Extremism?

Lose Those Pounds! The Al Sharpton Workout Plan

News One — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:02:08 +0000

Anyone who has followed the career of the Rev. Al Sharpton has witnessed a remarkable fitness transformation. The once-portly pompadoured preacher is now a fitness junkie. The Wall Street Journal just published a rather flattering profile of the now-svelte Black leader and talk-show host:

Rev. Sharpton, 57 years old, says he weighed more than 300 pounds from the late ’80s through the ’90s. He lost 30 pounds in 2001 while jailed for protesting the U.S. Navy bombing exercises on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, and fasted nearly 40 days, he says.
Rev. Al Sharpton works out seven days each week. At the NBC Studios gym in New York, he uses a stationary bike.
“That isn’t a healthy way to lose weight, but I liked the way I looked,” he says.

Sharpton gained his weight back in the years thereafter, but then committed to taking it off for good.

Nearly six years later, he’s down to 176 pounds. “I remember seeing Bill Clinton when I first lost weight and he told me, ‘Al, you will feel better and you won’t need as much sleep.’ He was right. I used to need six or seven hours and now I need four or five and am much more mentally alert.”

How did he do it?

Sharpton Ratings Smash! MSNBC #1 Among Black Viewers

News One — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:56:29 +0000

After much controversy about the hiring of the Rev. Al Sharpton to fill the MSNBC time slot vacated by liberal pundit Cenk Uygur, the new TV ratings are in, and Sharpton’s show is a smash.

While MSNBC has never been able to trump the conservative juggernaut of Fox News, MSNBC resoundingly beat CNN in all “dayparts,” according to the latest Neilsen ratings. TVNewser reports:

MSNBC pulled back ahead of CNN this month, reclaiming the #2 spot among the cable news networks across the board: in primetime and in Total Day.

Sharpton’s show, “PoliticsNation,” is a part of that success. According to the network, the show is 50 percent ahead of CNN’s “John King USA” in the 6 p.m. weekday time slot. According to the network:

At 6 p.m., “PoliticsNation” hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton beat CNN’s “John King USA” by 50% among total viewers (767,000 vs. 512,000) and by 41% in the demo of A25-54 (171,000 vs. 121,000). This is MSNBC’s best A25-54 6p program delivery since Dec. 2010 and the lowest 6p delivery for CNN since August 2010.

MSNBC has been rated first among African-American viewers for almost two years straight.

Rev. Al Sharpton On Conrad Murray’s Sentencing

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:31:23 +0000

The sentencing of Dr. Conrad Murray to four years in prison by no means ends the injustice suffered by Michael Jackson nor does it in any way mitigate the fact that his children have lost a father and the Jacksons have lost a son for the rest of their life. While I approve that the Judge gave the highest sentence permitted by law and that he used harsh language in condemning Dr. Murray’s recklessness, the sentence is light compared to the damage Dr. Murray and those that may have participated (and went unpunished) have received in relation to the damages they have done. For those of us who knew Michael and loved him this is not a day of celebration. It is a day of continued pain because of the loss of a great artist and friend. I do hope it sends a signal to those that would prostitute their professional skills for money and pleasure while violating the oath of their profession.

SEE ALSO:

Stars Who Date Thugs

Sharpton Interviews Obama Today On Radio Show

News One — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:35:25 +0000

Listen to The Al Sharpton Radio Show live Weekdays from 1pm to 4pm ET and call in at 1-877-532-5797, and CHECK for local listings.

From the Los Angeles Times blog:

President Obama called on a higher power to help him understand what happened — or rather, didn’t happen — as the congressional super committee announced Monday that it failed to reach a deal to cut $1.2 trillion from the national budget.

And then he called Al Sharpton.

Obama spoke to Sharpton on his syndicated radio show, “Keepin it Real With Al Sharpton,” on Monday, saying he was disappointed but hopeful that legislators could reach an agreement.

“It must be my religious faith, reverend, because hope springs eternal … and I continue to believe that at some point, common sense will prevail and we’ll be able to work something out,” Obama said.

The full interview is set to air Tuesday on Sharpton’s radio show, but the new TV host pulled a few key bits of it for the Monday episode of his fledgling MSNBC series, “PoliticsNation.”

Read more in the Los Angeles Times

Sharpton, Rangel, NAACP Form Coalition To Denounce Proposed Voting Laws

Gerren Keith Gaynor — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:49:53 +0000

A coalition of civil rights and labor leaders gathered Tuesday, on the columned steps of New York City Hall to announce a voter rights campaign in opposition to potential new laws that, according to the coalition, disenfranchises minority groups.

The campaign, “Stand For Freedom” was formally announced at Tuesday’s press conference, where speakers Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous, president of the NAACP, U.S. Representative Charles Rangel, and other coalition members denounced states that are considering law reforms that would put in place more stringent rules for voting and registration.

The coalition is comprised of civil rights and labor organizations, including the NAACP, National Action Network, United Federation of Teachers, National Urban League, New York Civil Liberties Union, and unions representing Asian, Latino and other minority groups.

In dozens of states, new rules to voting and registration are being presented by lawmakers, mostly Republican, that would eliminate same-day voting, and require official photo identification in order to cast a ballot. Other new laws, the coalition said, could also cut early voting and Sunday voting opportunities.

Sharpton and supporters argue that such voter law reforms hearken back to the Jim Crow laws–outlawed in 1965–which discouraged African Americans from registering to vote due to poll taxes and literacy test requirements.

Sharpton said, today’s minority voters are facing a distant cousin of the Jim Crow laws. “Generations before faced Jim Crow, we face James Crow,” Sharpton said metaphorically.

“The end of early voting and other measures is a blatant attempt to undermine the Voter Rights Act,” Sharpton said.

Proponents of this movement are concerned that new state voting laws will erode national voter turn out, and create a new wave of disenfranchisement for Americans–specifically minority groups, immigrants, seniors, working women and students.

“We are in the midst of the greatest coordinated legislative attack on voting rights since the dawn of Jim Crow,” said Jealous, NAACP national president. “Voter identification laws are nothing but reincarnated poll taxes and literacy tests, and ex-felon voting bans serve the same purpose today as when they were created in the wake of the 15th Amendment guaranteeing ex-slaves the vote–suppressing voting numbers among people of color.”

Sharpton said the new sweep of voter reform has much to do with the Republican and Tea parties’ attempt to defeat President Barack Obama in the 2012 Presidential Election. Blacks, Latinos and young voters were among the strongest voting base in Obama’s 2008 presidential victory, whom Sharpton and others argue will be most impacted by the proposed voting laws.

“They are willing to take away votes in order to take down the president,” Sharpton said.

Republican lawmakers have argued that voting and registration reform is necessary in order to prevent voter fraud, which came to the forefront in 2008 when Acorn, a group organizing minority and low-income communities, was accused of a fraudulent voter registration scheme.

Rep. Rangel, who represents New York’s 15th District in Harlem, compared the changes to state election laws to the “Ku Klux Klan without hoods.”

“This is not just for blacks, this is for the country,” Rangel said.

Rangel specifically addressed the new law proposal that would require an official photo identification in order to vote. He argued that such a requirement would prevent seniors and young voters, who do not have driver’s licenses, from voting.

“If you don’t have a car, why do you need identification?” Rangel queried.

Rangel encouraged young voters to get involved in the political process. “You’re not too young to take part,” he said.

According to a report recently released by the Brennan Center for Justice, at least 38 states are considering or have considered voter identification or proof of citizenship laws including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware. The battleground states, Ohio and Pennsylvania were among those actively moving forward on voter identification legislation.

While voters in some states can request free photo identifications from state motor vehicles departments, they must still pay to obtain documents, such as birth certificates, necessary to get identification. The Stand For Freedom coalition said such measures could discourage citizens from voting at an alarming number.

Tuesday’s conference served as a precursor for the coalition’s national day of protest, United Nations Human Rights Day, to take place on Dec. 10 outside the Koch Brothers offices, where supporters will rally to stop new voter and registration laws from being passed.

Smackdown! Sharpton Slams Bill O’Reilly’s Cain Questions

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:59:29 +0000

Rev. Al Sharpton slammed Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly earlier this week after O’Reilly wondered why Sharpton, Jackson or other Civil Rights leaders had failed to come to the defense of Republican presidential candidate, Herman Cain.

Last week, O’Reilly said that, had Cain been a liberal, the two men would be rushing to his defense.

Rev. Al Sharpton On Dr. Murray Verdict: “Conrad Got Off Lightly”

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:19:13 +0000

Rev. Al Sharpton responded to the guilty verdict in the Dr. Conrad Murray trial yesterday saying that he believes Michael Jackson’s former doctor got off “lightly.”

See Also: Celebrity Stars Without Makeup

Sharpton, who was close with the pop legend, had mixed emotions when he heard the verdict.

“I received the news of the guilty verdict in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray with mixed emotions feeling that only a down payment of justice has been served. Certainly I feel that more punishment could and should have been served, but I am pleased that this jury didn’t blame Michael for his own death,” said Sharpton.

Sharpton did express some happiness for the Jackson family even if they will never get their prized son back.

“For the Jackson family, particularly his mother and children that have gone this horrific ordeal, to hear a verdict that buried Michael again would have been devastating. I am happy that they didn’t have to suffer that indignity,” said Sharpton. “I feel that Dr. Murray and others who benefited from Michael but didn’t protect him got off relatively lightly. Michael lost his life and we lost one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I lost a friend and will never forget him.”

Sharpton: “It’s Time We Take Our Country Back”

Rev. Al Sharpton — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:32:56 +0000

It’s high time we, the majority, take our country back:

When certain individuals began chanting their mantra of ‘take our country back’, the rest of us hoped that it wasn’t a subliminal message to strip away this nation’s advancements and take us back to some sort of Jim Crow era. But in such a short span of time in office, many conservative elected officials have proved that their goal is precisely to implement regressive measures that begin to chip away at the core of the fundamental constructs of the civil rights movement. The latest enactment of voter ID laws across the country are a prime example of how the right is attempting to wrong us all.

For those who like to pretend that racism never existed in our past, here’s another quick reminder: years after slavery was abolished, there were systematic ways to still deny African Americans civil liberties – not the least of which was a poll tax. After the 14th Amendment guaranteed equal protection for all, a poll tax was enacted as a prerequisite to voting. Because African Americans (and poor Whites for that matter) found it difficult to come up with the money required to vote, many were covertly disenfranchised from the process. It was a new measure, but it held the same underlying notion of racism and oppression of an entire group of citizenry that slavery itself did.

Today, thankfully, a poll tax does not exist, but as Republican leaders continue to champion and implement voter ID requirements, they are establishing a new form of voting prerequisites and voter suppression. When nearly 25% of African Americans lack ‘appropriate ID’ in order to vote, it’s clear who their target is. When college students are barred from voting in the state where they attend school and instead must return to their home state, it’s clear who their target is. And when the process of obtaining this ‘appropriate ID’ isn’t free by any measure, it’s distinctly clear who their target is.

Imagine you’re a hard-working American who holds two or three jobs just to put food on the table, and now you’re required to take a day (or more) off in order to obtain an ID. Not only does this person accrue lost work wages, but he/she also has to factor in the cost of traveling to obtain the ID, as well as fees associated with getting copies of documents like passports or birth certificates. For the individual enduring such difficult times as so many Americans today are, is all the hassle and extra expenses going to be worth it in their eyes? Or will they simply say, I wish I could vote, but I simply can’t afford it? And let’s not forget the long enduring lines, procedures and bureaucracy that will likely arise for folks in the process of receiving ID cards. It may not be a poll tax, but these new voter ID laws are just a polished version of the same oppressive measures designed to keep people of color and the poor out of the electoral process.

There are currently 13 states across the country that have adopted voter ID requirements, with more pushing for similar legislation. When so many Americans do not possess a driver’s license due to an inability to purchase a vehicle or because it’s simply not necessary in an urban environment, the amount of Americans without valid ID for the polls is staggering. Once again, African Americans, Latinos, the poor and other disenfranchised groups will clearly be impacted the most by these voting requirements. And it should come as no surprise that this sector of society votes Democratic a majority of the time.

If Republican officials and those who support them are so upset by the direction of the country and so insistent on the fact that we are a center-right nation, why don’t they prove it with fair elections? By conjuring up ridiculous requirements that are obviously designed to reduce the number of voters, they only validate the fact that their Party and their vision for the future is antiquated and the majority is not on their side. Instead of playing dirty politics, perhaps they should just run an election on the facts and allow everyone to freely vote. After all, what are they so afraid of?

Maybe it’s high time we, the majority, take our country back.

Al Sharpton: “We Must Stop Guns From Coming Into Our Community”

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:36:04 +0000

In response to the recent murder of Zurana Horton, a 34-year-old mother of 13 who was killed by a stray bullet last Friday, Rev. Al Sharpton is calling for an end to gun possession in African-American communities.

Sharpton says that the increasing number of gun fatalities only is evidence that everyone isn’t responsible enough to own a firearm.

Sharpton writes:

Gun supporters and advocates always champion the 2nd Amendment and our right to bear arms. But this right doesn’t mean that everyone should possess a weapon. It doesn’t mean guns should be so readily accessible to the least stable among us. And it doesn’t mean that we don’t need stricter gun laws to keep them out of the hands of criminals and those with a complete disregard for human life. Perhaps the fierce gun proponents need to take a walk in our neighborhoods, where young children have to dodge bullets just to get an education, or where mothers and fathers spend sleepless nights figuring out ways to keep their families safe. Or maybe they need to have a conversation with Zurana Horton’s 13 children who will now have to somehow survive without a mother for the rest of their lives.

Sharpton Joins Call To Give Up Killer Of Mother Who Saved Children

NewsOne Staff — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:10:53 +0000

Rev. Al Sharpton visited the family of a Brooklyn mom yesterday who was killed last week trying to shield children from gang gunfire.

In the wake of the shooting of 34-year-old Zurana Horton, community leaders and politicians urged residents to start snitching on their gun toting neighbors.

RELATED: Black Travel: Black Afro-Latino Bar Bembe In Brooklyn

“We have to start turning the thugs in,” said Tamika Mallory, executive director of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. “We must stop protecting the thugs who are living amongst us. You cannot live in our community and kill us.”

Mallory and Sharpton met with Denise Peace, whose daughter, Zurana Horton, a 34-year-old mom of 13, was shot dead Friday shielding a group of kids from flying bullets near a school in Brownsville.

Dr. Boyce: Al Sharpton, Tyler Perry, And “Proper Negroes”

Dr. Boyce Watkins — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:04:58 +0000

To use recent vernacular, I can say that Rev. Al Sharpton is not a “Proper negro.” But he is a very smart negro. Tyler Perry is also not a proper negro, just a very rich negro. I personally don’t consider myself to be as smart as Sharpton and I know I’m not as rich as Perry. Also, judging from how few friends I have in academia, I’m starting to think that I’m not even all that proper.

So, my improper thinking kicked in when I heard Sharpton refer to Tyler Perry critics as “proper negroes.” Tyler has been hit with the kind of haterology only reserved for a Black man who was able to stealthily rise to become the highest paid man in all of Hollywood. Not the highest paid Black man; he is the highest paid man, period. Since then, Perry critics have come out in full force, finding creative ways to build their fame by attacking him at every turn. A great example is the commentator Toure, who referred to Tyler Perry films as “cinematic malt liquor for the masses.”

As they say in China, “The fattest pig always gets slaughtered,” so I’m sure Perry understands that you can’t be the king of the mountain without having a few enemies. Personally, I didn’t like Toure’s remarks, not because I didn’t understand where he was coming from, but rather than dig through Perry films to try to understand them, he would rather sit on the side of the road and throw rocks. But jeering from the stands is all you can do when no one invites you into the game.

On the flip side of it all, Sharpton classifying all Perry critics to be “proper negroes” is nearly as problematic as Toure’s malt liquor comment. Perry isn’t just being criticized by “proper negroes,” he’s being critiqued by conscientious negroes. Even Perry himself (I’ve only spoken to him once, for roughly 15 minutes, to try to get an understanding of his rationale) has admitted that some of his more problematic characters are an entertainment sacrifice that he makes in order to reach young adults on issues such as depression, abuse, and addiction. While this doesn’t clear Perry of his responsibility, it does say that he might be sacrificing the battle in order to win the war.

Idris Elba, who starred in one of Perry’s films (“Daddy’s Little Girls”), has himself said that while he likes working with Perry, he chooses not to participate in that which he considers to be buffoonery. Elba’s British accent might make him sound like a proper negro, but it would be unfair to write off his balanced critique as mere jealousy or disconnected thinking. There are plenty of good, decent, down-to-earth African Americans who can’t watch Madea on film without throwing up in their own lap. That’s ok, because not every Black movie is a fit for every Black person – that’s where the term “target audience” comes from.

So, the bottom line is that Sharpton probably should have found a more careful way to describe his disappointment toward Tyler Perry’s critics. Some of them have gone over the top, which Perry doesn’t deserve. But class warfare is not the solution either. I remember Sharpton defining his dispute with Cornel West over Obama to imply that he doesn’t relate to Black scholars, which unnecessarily extrapolates the fight to be about more than just two people. Sharpton, one of the smartest people I know (he’s actually sharper than most of the PhDs I’ve encountered), is wise enough to realize what he’s doing, and I’d be surprised if he himself doesn’t have an issue or two with some of what he sees in Perry flicks.

So, those who have a problem with Tyler Perry’s films have a right to express their concern without being unfairly labeled. But I encourage Perry critics to take a deeper look at the movies to realize that they are not all the same, and that he might have a secondary agenda. Tyler Perry is not a traitor to his race, and the fact that he is so sensitive to the criticism implies that he does care about his people. If these films were coming from “Herman Cain Productions,” we would all be “talking to the hand” right now.

All the while, I plan to miss the next Madea flick, and I certainly hope this doesn’t make me into a “proper negro.” Instead, perhaps we should realize that being Black doesn’t mean we all share the same brain, and we all have the right to disagree.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.

Rev. Al Sharpton Calls Tyler Perry Critics “Proper Negroes”

Casey Gane-McCalla, Lead Blogger — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:46:13 +0000

Rev. Al Sharpton‘s National Action Network honored actor, producer and director, Tyler Perry last Wednesday at their Triumph Awards.

Sharpton would call Tyler Perry’s, critics “proper negroes” who don’t understand regular Black folk.

Writer Says Tyler Perry Movies Are “Cinematic Malt Liquor”

Tyler Perry Is The Richest Man In Hollywood

The Washington Post reports:

Sharpton said Perry has given work to many black actors who have been ignored by Hollywood, and has created an empire on his own terms: “The ultimate pride is where you don’t have to bend and adjust for others to accept you. … He didn’t go mainstream, he brought mainstream to us.”

Perry said black people first gave him success, and he has sought to tell his community’s stories. He accused his critics of trying to remove themselves from their roots.

“I stayed with who we are, and what I wish I could get us to understand as a people is that instead of getting your education and running from us, you need to ground and root yourself in who we are. Every other culture in this country knows the value of us as black people but we don’t know it ourselves,” he said.

From The Streets To The Suites: The Fight For Justice Wages On

Tamika Mallory — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:32:17 +0000

Whether you’re blessed with stability or struggling to make ends meet, those of us with a conscience understand that the fight for civil rights continues until all of us can live at ease. Last Saturday, we at the National Action Network (NAN) were joined by tens of thousands as we collectively marched for jobs and justice in Washington, D.C. And on Wednesday evening in New York City, key figures in the arts, entertainment and sports industries gathered with us as we honored their work and commitment to the community. From the streets to the suites, the fight for justice wages on.

During a weekend that marked the official Martin Luther King Jr. dedication in the nation’s capital, NAN conducted our annual rally and march for jobs and justice.

At a time when millions of Americans are without work, foreclosure rates are through the roof, entire families are finding themselves homeless every day, wealth disparity is expanding, unequal access to education is plaguing impoverished communities and people have all but forgotten about the poor, we assembled to ring our voices in unison. We marched for livable wages, employment equality and a level playing field just as Dr. King did decades earlier. As we recognized our progress from the emancipator to the liberator, we rallied and marched for the injustices that still remain.

While some entertainers and power players stay focused on their own advancement, others understand the significance of empowering the next generation and uplifting the people that propelled them to success. At our 2nd annual Triumph Awards, NAN recognized Tyler Perry, Judge Greg Mathis, Chris and Malaak Rock, Marva Smalls of Nickelodeon and Viacom, California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris, Maurice Cox of Pepsi-Cola, Jimmie Lee Solomon of the MLB and Tina Thompson of the LA Sparks. Through their respective fields and life’s work, each one of our honorees understands the importance of creating opportunities for the traditionally marginalized and volunteering their time and energy towards helping others. It is through this notion of sacrificing for the common good that these remarkable folks and others like them continue to champion justice.

As our society evolves and momentous gains are achieved, we cannot forget to acknowledge inequities that still persist. This past week, I had the honor of addressing both the rally in Washington and our Triumph Awards in NY. As the youngest female national director of NAN, I do not take these tremendous moments lightly – for I know that I have been blessed with a great duty. Standing in unity with all those that grasp the significance of paying homage to our great leaders of the past and recognizing our modern day champions, I’m proud to watch NAN and our fearless leader Rev. Sharpton continue to take the streets to the suites – and bring everyone along in the process.

Why We Are Marching For Jobs This Saturday

Do Black Women Get What They Deserve?

Tune In To The Sharpton Radio Show At 1 P.M.

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:00:22 +0000

Tune in to Rev. Al Sharpton today on the nationally syndicated Rev. Al Sharpton show which will be broadcasted live from the Occupy Wall Street protests. The show will air live from Zucotti Park in Lower Manhattan. Listen to this show here live Check out more... Read more..

MLK Memorial: Reflections On The Day

Pharoh Martin — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:49:30 +0000

Yesterday was all about echoes. Echoes from voices past continuing into beyond. A sea of tens of thousands cheer and chanting as they looked up at video monitors showing the first family walking down a pathway of Martin Luther King’s most inspiring quotes en route to a ceremony to dedicate a memorial to honor his legacy. Past meets presents meets future.

The Obamas stopped directly in front of the imposing 30-foot monument of King with his arms folded and looked up. The Nation’s first Black president was stared upon by the edifice of a man that 48 years prior stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial some 300 years away to talk about a “dream” that forever changed a nation. Obama is the dream realized. So its only natural that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial gets dedicated on Obama’s watch.

Also Check Out: DC’s Great Escape – Great Falls

“He had faith in us,” said Obama. “And that is why he belongs on this Mall: Because he saw what we might become. Without those glorious words, we might not have had the courage to come as far as we have. Yes, laws changed, but hearts and mind changed as well.”

The president, joined by his wife Michelle and two daughters, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, urged change takes time but called for more action in addressing issues related to poverty and unemployment.

“Look at the faces here around you,” Obama said. “You see an America that is more fair, and more free and more just than the one Dr. King addressed that day. We are right to savor that slow but certain progress.”

Obama urged, “I know we will overcome. I know this,” the president said, “because of the man towering over us.”

Hurricane Irene pushed back the August 28th date of the dedication, which was supposed to coincide with the day King gave his famous 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech from the March on Washington.

In addition to the Obamas and the Bidens, many other notables spoke — including civil rights icons such as Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rev. Joseph Lowery, who co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson. Poet Nikki Giovanni, actress Cicely Tyson, news anchor Dan Rather, King’s children Martin Luther King III and Rev. Bernice King, and King’s only surviving sibling Christine King Farris also addressed the event goers.

“I didn’t think my brother’s legacy could get much larger,” King’s 84-year-old sister Farris shared referring to the day when King received his own national holiday in 1983. “But I was wrong. Here I am witnessing my brother’s symbolic place on the national mall near America’s greatest presidents. Let this wonderful day mark another step toward the fulfillment of the dream.

The event, while entertaining with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Mary Mary and Aretha Franklin, also became political as well.

Many speakers used the platform to speak about King’s work with civil rights but they also spoke about social and economic justice, many times referencing the current “Occupy” protests happening nationally against wealthy individual and corporations saying that economic equality was King’s next focus.

Rev. Bernice King shared that her father was actively campaigning on behalf of poor people before he died.

“I hear my father say we must have a radical revolution of values and a reordering of our priorities in this nation,” Bernice King said. “I hear my father say, as we dedicate this monument, we must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society, to a person-oriented society.”

Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), the only one who spoke at the historic March on Washington that’s is still alive, said that King must be looked at as one of the founding fathers of the new America.

“He not only freed a people he liberated a nation,” said Lewis. “He challenged the most powerful nation to find its moral compass”

Martin Cicely king III said that while it’s great to have his father’s name on schools, streets, and buildings, he warned against getting caught up in King’s bigger than life presence lest forgetting what he stood for.

“Let’s not to place too much emphasis on Martin Luther King the idol, and not enough on the ideals of Martin Luther King.” King said sharing that the memorial should serve as a reminder to continue his father’s work and fight for justice.

Al Sharpton shared Martin Luther King III’s sentiment.

“This is not a monument of those times past,” Sharpton said. “This is a marker for the fight for justice today and a projection for the fight for justice in the future because we will not stop until we get the equal justice justice (that) Dr. King fought for.”

Why We Are Marching For Jobs This Saturday

Tamika Mallory — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:35:21 +0000

I’m thirty-one years-old and have been marching since age 10 with my parents, Reverend Al Sharpton, and community members from across the country. My parents were founding members of the National Action Network and even as a teenager, I, and the other youth members of NAN, one of whom was musical sensation Alicia Keyes, had a better sense then some of my peers today about why it’s important to march.

Let’s start with this premise: We must march for jobs and justice because we are in catastrophic times. My peers are jobless. Our elders and the working class and poor are under attack in extraordinary and systematic ways. And we are living in one of the most unpredictable and capricious times in our nation’s history.

Many of my peers seem to only know of segregation through stories of relatives or by reading it in the history books and appear disengaged from the process. When you have an African American president, elected officials from all backgrounds, people of color in various businesses, a society where open discrimination is illegal and the reality of a diverse mix of entertainers in the limelight, a lot of them have difficulties seeing beyond the surface. But while there are clear advances we have made, the remnants of institutional barriers are as thick as ever.

When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was delivering his infamous “I Have a Dream” speech, his fundamental call to action was for everyone — Black, white, brown, yellow, purple — to unite in an effort to secure social and political equality across the board. It was his work for civil rights and labor rights that made him the historic figure he has become. It was near the grounds of his monument that will be unveiled this weekend that he was planning a tent city for poor people when he was killed. Decades later, that core vision is sadly unrealized. When students of color and the poor still receive inadequate education, we have not realized the dream. When there’s a staggering 50 percent unemployment rate among young Black men in many cities across the nation, we have not realized the dream. When gun violence is rampant and more of our children are dying unnecessarily each and every day, we have not realized the dream. When the imprisonment rate for minorities is disproportionate to our percentage in society, we have not realized the dream. And when people continually attempt to dismantle unions and attack American workers, we have not realized the dream.

This weekend in Washington, D.C., the National Action Network, under the leadership of Rev. Al Sharpton, will once again convene our annual MLK march for justice. This year’s theme is titled: “From the Emancipator (Abraham Lincoln) to the Liberator (MLK Jr.): The Collective Journey of Civil Rights to be Reaffirmed.” As we welcome the support of esteemed individuals like Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, and Lee Saunders, Secretary Treasury of AFSCME, we call on everyone concerned about the plight of this nation’s disparity to join us. We will conduct a rally at noon on Saturday and then march — yes march — along Independence Ave.

In the spirit of our ancestors, in the spirit of Dr. King, and in the spirit of all those that died for freedom’s cause, we will march. We will march for some of my peers who are disengaged and we will continue marching until every man, woman and child truly has an equal shot at this American dream — for that is, after all, the dream each and every one of us should have.

How The Murder Of My Son’s Father Inspired Me To Fight

Rev. Al Sharpton To Broadcast Show Live From Wall St. Protests Today

NewsOne Staff — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:50:47 +0000

Rev. Al Sharpton will broadcast his nationally syndicated radio show live this afternoon (1-4 p.m) from Wall Street where the Occupy Wall Street protests are going on.

Sharpton will air his show live from Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan.

He said he wants to show that more than just those that are showed on TV screens are concerned about these economic issues. Hundreds of protesters have “occupied” Zuccotti Park where they have been camped out around the clock for over three weeks.

“We want to show that those that are raising issues on Wall Street are as concerned about the economy and that Blacks and Latinos have grave concerns about economic issues and jobs.”

Yes! Rev. Sharpton Blasts Rick Perry’s Ni**erhead Ranch

NewsOne Staff — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 22:40:37 +0000

Texas governor Rick Perry’s campaign was in damage control mode yesterday after after a Washington Post article revealed the racial slur that was used to describe a ranch where Perry and his father once hunted.

Rev. Al Sharpton told POLITICO he plans to be “all over” the story on his MSNBC show on Monday afternoon.

“At worst, he either thought it was something he could identify with and even have some bit of irony,” Sharpton said. “At best, he’s insensitive. How can someone who would seek the highest office in the land be so insensitive to the implications of that name?”Sharpton predicted the issue will harm Perry among Republicans.

Sharpton To March With Civil Rights Leaders For Obama Jobs Bill

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:30:41 +0000

The Rev. Al Sharpton will take his support of President Obama’s Jobs Bill to the streets of Washington D.C. next month in a march including labor groups and civil rights organizations.

The march, which will take place on October 15th, will convene a day before President Obama speaks at the Martin Luther King memorial unveiling.

Sharpton — who is a civil rights activist, nightly TV host and staunch Obama ally — painted the march on Oct. 15 as an answer to Obama’s call to mobilize behind the jobs proposal he introduced two weeks ago and also as a refutation of the president’s critics.

“We will bring forth the masses who have not been heard in the midst of the jobs debate,” said Sharpton, who was flanked by leaders of the National Education Association, NAACP and other groups. “As the president fights for a jobs act, as supercommittees meet, they need to hear marching feet. This is to send a message to Congress.”

The Top 10 Black News Pundits

NewsOne Staff — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:20:40 +0000

Across our media landscape the number of Black faces representing us as anchors, pundits, and hosts are slim to none. But in the last decade, a number of esteemed journalists, politicians, and educators have made the transition from their respectful careers to the TV screen analyzing everything from civil rights issues to entertainment, sports, and politics.

Here at NewsOne we decided to create a list of the most influential and important Black news pundits on the air today. Some of these pundits host their own TV shows, appear on networks like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC, and also hold their own town halls across the country tackling various issues affecting the Black community.

Our list is ranked according to who we think is the top Black news pundit today. Feel free to re-order the list and provide us with your opinions.

10. Bob Herbert

One of the most celebrated Black journalists of our era, Bob Herbert, enters our list at number ten.

The former prized possession of the New York Times, Herbert, is now a Senior Fellow at the national think-tank, Demos; and a TV personality on networks such as MSNBC and CNN where he regularly appears conversing about political, education, and racial issues.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

9. Amy Holmes

One of television’s rising stars enters our list at number nine.

Amy Holmes, the independent conservative commentator, shot to fame as a CNN contributor during the 2008 elections. She is now a news anchor for Glenn Beck’s news network, GBTV.

Holmes recently held guest host spots on The View and makes a regular appearance on Bill Maher’s HBO show, Real Time with Bill Maher.

Website: Click here

Twitter: N/A

8. Toure

Coming in at number eight is the essayist, music journalist, novelist, television personality, and cultural critic otherwise known as Toure.

Toure has sparked the minds and anger of many in his close to two decades in journalism.

His career started in 1992 when he was fired from Rolling Stone as an intern after dropping out of Emory College during his junior year. A few weeks later, Toure was called back by Rolling Stone to write music reviews and it has been history ever since.

Today, Toure appears on networks such as CNN and MSNBC to talk about everything from sports, politics, and civil rights. He recently released a book titled, “Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness?” He’s also the host of Fuse’s Hip-Hop Shop and On The Record.

Bio: Click here

Twitter: Click here

7. Cornel West

The firebrand Princeton Professor comes in at number six after becoming a regular personality on cable talk shows due to his recent criticism of President Obama.

But the Princeton professor’s resume is nothing to overlook. He is an author, critic, actor, Harvard graduate, and civil rights activist.

West regularly appears on networks such as CNN and MSNBC to talk about a variety of issues.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

Top 15 Black Bio-Pics Of All-Time

6. Eugene Robinson

At number six, we have the Washington Post’s Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and regular contributor on MSNBC, Eugene Robinson.

Robinson, who started his career in the 1970′s at the San Francisco Chronicle, has made it all the way from a regular journalist to becoming one of the most respected columnists in the country.

He has also appeared on the popular Sunday political talk show, Meet The Press.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

5. Melissa Harris Perry

A rising star in the TV world, Tulane Professor Melissa Harris Perry enters our list at number five.

Perry, the author of two books, has been a regular contributor to the Rachel Maddow Show; and has even replaced her as the main host on her off-days.

Her writings appear in numerous national publications like The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, Crain’s Chicago Business, and Newsday.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

4. Tavis Smiley

Coming in at number four is the both celebrated and controversial talk show host, author, and political commentator Tavis Smiley.

Smiley, who rode a wave of goodwill for the majority of his time as a personality, lost a lot of it with the African American population and mainstream media when he became what many term an, “Obama hater.”

He frequently appears on CNN and MSNBC to talk about political and racial issues, and also has his nightly TV show on PBS and radio show on PRI.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

3. Rev. Al Sharpton

If someone told you 20 years ago that Rev. Al Sharpton would be one of the top 3 Black news pundits in the world in 2011, you would have laughed at them.

But the person with the last laugh is Rev. Al Sharpton.

The firebrand civil rights activist has transformed his image in the last two decades. He hosts his own radio show, Keepin’ it Real, and recently became the host of the MSNBC nightly show, Politicsnation.

He also appears on FoxNews on a consistent basis to battle the right-leaning opposition.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

2. Donna Brazile

Close, but no cigar.

Coming in at number two is the veteran pundit on this list, the legendary Donna Brazile.

Brazile, who was the first African American to direct a major campaign for a presidential candidate (Al Gore, 2000), has earned the respect of numerous TV networks most notably, CNN.

She is a weekly contributor to CNN’s Situation Room and American Morning. She also contributes to NPR’s Political Corner and ABC News.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

1. Roland Martin

And coming in at number 1, there is no bigger personality on the TV screen than CNN contributor and TV One host, Roland Martin.

The American author and syndicated columnist, Martin, shot to fame during the 2008 election’s with his straight to the point commentary injected with his down south flavor.

The 2008 elections skyrocketed Martin into stardom.

Martin is a commentator for TV One and the host of Washington Watch with Roland Martin, a one-hour Sunday morning news show on the network. He is also a CNN contributor, appearing on a variety of shows, including Campbell Brown: No Bias, No Bull, The Situation Room, Anderson Cooper‘s AC360, Lou Dobbs Tonight, and many others. In October 2008, he joined the Tom Joyner Morning Show as senior analyst.

Website: Click here

Twitter: Click here

Top 10 Rush Limbaugh Racist Quotes

Rev. Sharpton Backs Obama’s “Stop Complaining” Call To Black People

Johan Thomas — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:12:24 +0000

The Reverend Al Sharpton said President Obama was right in telling Black people to “stop complaining” at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Phoenix awards on Saturday.

Sharpton, who spoke to the president shortly after the speech remarked, “He said this is what I’ve done, and it helps Blacks and helps the county and now let’s get to work,” Sharpton said. ”It’s important to remind people who may be discouraged, don’t compare him to the Almighty, compare him to the alternative.”

“Ordinary (African-American voters) are hurting and want action, but they are not going to abandon ship and are not the ones who are all but saying (Obama) sold-out,” said a Democratic staffer for a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. “That’s coming from people who didn’t back Obama from the start.”

The Execution Of Troy Davis Was A “Miscarriage Of Justice”

Rev. Al Sharpton — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:21:16 +0000

As I stood in the courtyard of Jackson State Prison in Georgia yesterday holding a prayer vigil for Troy Anthony Davis, I, like so many others held out hope for some sort of miracle. In the exact location where I joined Troy’s mother in 2008 when we received such a miracle 90 minutes before his scheduled execution, perhaps I was too optimistic in believing that similar action could take place and justice would prevail.

Check out the rest of our Troy Davis coverage here

Top 5 Most Wrongful Executions Ever

Despite the fact that there was a last minute delay in Troy’s execution last night that sent jubilation throughout the crowd, all of us collectively watched as he was eventually put to death. This time, even with an expansive global movement to save his life, the miracle unfortunately never arrived.

Ever since I was first introduced to the Troy Davis case several years ago, I have been perplexed as to how a man was convicted based solely on eyewitness statements and without any physical evidence. No weapon, no DNA and no proof other than the fact that some people stated he committed the alleged crime. But what makes Troy’s case an utter travesty in our legal system is the fact that 7 out of these 9 witnesses have since recanted their testimony and many said that they were coerced or pressured into pointing the finger at Troy. And yet, he was still executed last night.

One of the two remaining witnesses who did not recant his/her testimony was a man by the name of Sylvester ‘Redd’ Coles — another suspect in this case. And yet, Troy was still executed last night. A female witness even stated that she was threatened by Coles if she came forward, and yet Troy was still executed last night. Everyone from former President Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu to former prison wardens and conservatives who are pro-death penalty pushed for a stay in this man’s death penalty, and yet Troy was still executed last night.

I will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to meet with the Justice Department to push for a federal law that prohibits any state from prosecuting a capital case based solely on eyewitness testimony. Nowhere in America should an individual be executed again without any concrete physical evidence. And at this time, as we mourn the loss of Troy, we must continue to move as well — to mourn without moving only compounds this most egregious injustice.

Although it may be very difficult, especially for those that knew Troy and those that fought on his behalf for years, we all must push forward and ensure that his death was not in vain. A federal law is absolutely necessary, and whether one is pro-death penalty or anti-death penalty like myself, we need to set the bar to where concrete evidence must be required before taking a person’s life.

For those of us who were pushing for a stay in Troy’s execution, do not let anyone paint you as against the family of the slain police officer in this case, Mark MacPhail — for that is the furthest thing from the truth. Our deepest sympathies go out to the MacPhail family, and because they too deserve justice, a re-examination of this case was essential in order to truly determine who was culpable. That’s all Troy Davis asked for; a chance to halt his execution and receive a fair day in court. But tragically, that opportunity was diminished last night.

As I left Georgia yesterday to return to NY, I was consumed in the irony that so many heads of state were gathered at the UN and heard the U.S. stress the importance of human rights while we simultaneously executed this man. What did they think as they turned on the news, read the papers and watched how we behaved? In order to preach and advocate for rule of law and civil/human rights, we must first rectify our own miscarriages of justice at home.

Troy Davis died at the age of 42, after spending 22 years behind bars. As we know all too well, those with money and the ability to hire high-powered attorneys receive the best defense and fighting chance in court. Imagine if one day you woke up and someone accused you of murder and you were then sentenced to death for it. That’s pretty much what happened to Troy.

Based solely on eyewitness testimony that is almost unanimously recanted, a man’s life was cut short last night. If laws are designed to protect us and establish a humane society, we must rectify them so that this sort of injustice never happens again.

Mourn we must, but we must continue to move. Carry on the fighting spirit of Troy Davis who till his last breath, proclaimed his innocence.

Sharpton: “Time For Feds And Not States To Try Death Penalty Cases”

NewsOne Staff — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:03:25 +0000

Rev. Al Sharpton will call upon the U.S. Justice Department to take the lead in capital punishment cases across the country, and strip states from prosecuting them.

Check out our Troy Davis Execution coverage

Top 5 most wrongful executions ever

Sharpton, who called the execution of Troy Davis, a “bleak day in the American justice system,” appeared on the Today Show to state his reasoning behind his trip to D.C. on September 23rd calling for the new law.

“We must not only mourn what happened to Troy Davis but take strong measures so that it does happen again. I promised Troy when I got involved in this case in 2007 that NAN and I no matter what the outcome would fight to change the law. We are calling upon the federal government to supercede and set boundaries before any State can move forward with capital punishment prosecution,” said Sharpton.

Sharpton says that unless scientific or physical evidence is part of a case, the states should have no right to execute a person who many presume to be innocent.

“We must not forget that Troy Davis was executed by the eye witness testimony of nine people with no physical evidence, no DNA, and no scientific evidence. Seven of those eyewitnesses recanted,” said Sharpton. “Under the law, we are proposing that the Troy Davis case would never have been tried as a capital case in the first place. Multiple studies have established how flawed eyewitness testimony is and 75% of the cases overturned by DNA evidence were cases that also had flawed eye witness testimony.”

Sharpton Calls Troy Davis Execution “A Bleak Day For Justice”

Casey Gane-McCalla, Lead Blogger — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:39:47 +0000

On his MSNBC show last night, Reverend Al Sharpton called the decision to execute Troy Davis “a bleak day for anyone who cares about justice in this country.”

Sharpton will be leading a march in Atlanta today to protest the execution.

Risky? Troy Davis Willing To Take Polygraph To Prove Innocence

Troy Davis’ Lawyers To File Late Appeal Before Georgia Execution

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

“Stop The Violence” Message Pervades African American Day Parade

Gerren Keith Gaynor — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0000

HARLEM — New York public leaders, community organizations and residents gathered Sunday to celebrate the 42nd annual African American Day Parade in Harlem. One focal point of the march was to attenuate the looming violence in neighboring and citywide communities.

The march took place on Adam Clayton Powell Blvd., extending from 111th St. to 135th St., summoning New York dignitaries such as Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel, New York Police Department Commissioner Kelly Raymond, city council members Robert Jackson, Inez Dickens, and assemblyman Keith Wright. The NAACP, the National Action Network, and other organizations joined leaders in celebrating the achievements of the African American community, and reflect on its culture in the 21st century America.

Residents enthusiastically cheered as parade participants marched up the barricaded street. The atmosphere was exuberant, as thousands of people gathered to celebrate a rich tradition in the Harlem community.

The first African American Day Parade took place in 1969. Thirteen visionaries, who sought to create a special day when African Americans could band together in promoting unity, dignity and pride, founded the parade. Harlem was chosen as its locale because of its large representation of African Americans. On Sunday, that objective was no different.

Sharpton addressed a crowd of spectators with his founded organization, the National Action Network.

“This is a day to show what our community would look like if we had the resources and jobs,” Sharpton said outside the Adam Clayton Powell State Building near 125th St. “We are walking every step of the way.”

City Council Member Inez Dickens praised Abe Snyder, the last surviving founder and current chairman of the parade, for his work in keeping the tradition alive.

“The parade is a part of our culture and heritage,” Dickens said. “It brings the families out together. We’re showing the world that we are proud to be African Americans.”

Dickens also recognized that the day was more than a celebratory occasion.

“Because of the proliferation of gang activities in our communities, because our youth are killing each other—this is an opportunity for all our young people to see positive role models,” she told NewsOne.

New York City experienced alarming gun violent activities over recent weeks. On the day of the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn two weeks ago, 46 people were shot throughout the city. Last week, 18-year-old high school basketball star Tayshana

Murphy was shot and killed in her Harlem Morningside Heights building stairwell.

Both incidents sparked outrage among local residents and community leaders.

The stream of consciousness regarding violence in the community permeated the street. A banner from State Senator Bill Perkins read, “Drop The Guns! Stop The Violence”—which evoked passionate responses from onlookers.

Tamika Mallory, Executive Director of National Action Network joined Sharpton and others in the march to condemn the violence in the African American community. The economy and lack of positive enforcement among youth, Mallory said, is to blame for some of the motivations of violent behavior in the community.

“Whenever people are poor and struggling, they turn to drugs and violence and different things to try to deal

with what they are going through,” she told NewsOne. “But they’re not really focused on the right areas.”

However, Mallory said it’s important to use the parade as a way to highlight the positive things happening in the community. “[We should] continue to lift the positivity because it can get lost in all the negative information and all of the bad things going on with the violence and the poor economy,” she said. “You still have people who want to be connected to the community and folks who just want to sit out, and have a good time.”