Ok again, how is Al Sharpton dividing anyone? And why would he apologize?

hell. yes.

I don't really care about an apology or anything, but its nice to hear this kind of honesty. I don't want anything from this portion of the black community, other than to not be blamed for things I have no realistic part in.

is that really what you're getting from her post?

He is dividing the public over race.

He should apologize for Tiwana Brawley and his accusations in the Duke case.

Of course, African Americans are not going to protest against Sharpton and ask that his media privileges be taken away - like those of Imus. Instead they're going to say Sharpton doesn't represent them, that whites have been getting away with this for so long, etc. etc. and shy away from addressing this.

-Rudey

Black America should give each of the Duke players 40 acres and a Bentley.

Exactly.

You asked for my personal opinion of their guilt or innocence. Not one based on what the courts have decided. I wait on the legal system for final decisions because personal opinions are pointless. I don't wait on the legal system because it has any bearing on my personal opinion.

No. The devil doesn't need an advocate.

Satan, Esq.

You'll have to do better than that if you want me to engage you. ;)

Well, if I agree with you, theres no point in engaging.

I don't care if people agree with me.

But I assume you're asking where I'm coming from, which I would answer if I felt you would understand with or without agreeing.

Oh well.

And your point is what?

You are right this has nothing to do with the Tread!:rolleyes:

While we all have our points, some are not so important are they?

Why do people equate Al Sharpton and Don Imus? Someone please explain it to me, because I don't see any comparison. And how exactly are you supposed to suspend media privileges for someone who is self-employed? The media follows Al, he doesn't follow them. Why is he supposed to apologize for someone else lying (Tawana Brawley) or for a white DA playing on a community's racial divide to get himself re-elected?

I never want to see innocent people go to jail, black or white. At the same time, maybe these guys will think twice before specifically inviting some black strippers to a party to racially insult, demean, and ridicule them in the name of having fun.

As for PiKa singing about the "white man's burden," you've gotta be kidding, right?

ummmmmm........probably because Al Sharpton is a complete racist, anti-Semitic piece of shit. That idiot has made, on several occassions, comments that make those of Don Imus look almost nice.

1) Sharpton played on the community, toying with people's emotions early on. Doesn't it bother you that people were protesting and angry with these boys, and that they were on the side of the "victim" just because she was black?

2) There is no substantial evidence that any of these boys racially insulted, demeaned, or ridiculed the stripper

3) There is actually scant evidence that there were racist overtones at all. The testimony of the other stripper should be heavily questioned, considering her inability to be truthful throughout the process. The best argument that these boys were racist is that they asked for at least one white stripper, but in my mind that doesn't indicate racism at all. A lot of white guys aren't attracted to black women, so if its their buck, they should get something that fits the uh...purpose.

4) As for the Imus-Al Sharpton comparison, you're right, there isn't one. Al Sharpton has done far more damage to racial relations in this country than Imus could possibly dream of. Crown Heights, anyone? The Duke situation is fairly typical, he comes into a volatile situation, stirs up anger and dissent, and then disappears and leaves a broken community to sort it out on their own. I don't blame him for everything that happened with the Duke situation, but he certainly doesn't help promote peace or understanding within communities.

Facts anyone?
 

OK, Al Sharpton did not go to Durham to play on anyone's emotions, he went down there to ensure that justice would be done on behalf of the alleged victim. The media had been "trying" the victim from the very beginning of the case as if she was the one who had been accused of a crime. He went down there to defend her in the face of all the accusations being thrown her way. That's all. He didn't go down there to villify anybody or stir anything up. It was already stirred up when he got there. Durham has had long-standing racial tension among its citizens. There were a lot of factors that played into people thinking that the lacrosse players were guilty, such as their less than stellar reputation on campus. There were black and white people who believed they were guilty.

For the record, the other stripper never testified to anything (the case never got to court). Furthermore, a neighbor backs up the claim about the racial remarks. Why aren't more people mad at the DA though? Why is Al your point of focus? When he found out that the DA had prosecuted this case without regard to evidence or ethics, he said on his radio show that the lacrosse players had a case against him. But that's not what you want to hear is it?

What I want to know is how is Al a racist? What have you actually heard or read (in quotation) that he said that was racist?

Do some research. It's not hard to find. Did you catch the Hannity vs. Sharpton debate the other day? Hannity had a huge list of verified statements that Al Sharpton made that are incredibly racist and some that were very anti-Semitic.

Here are a couple I found with ease.....

I also liked his famous "Jewing the numbers" rant concerning politics in South Carolina.

Do you even know what the "white mans burden" was? Where in my post did that shit even come up? I just said I was sick of hearing about blaming whities for trying to destroy the black community. News Flash ----- Blacks are more able and willing to destroy their own communities than whites ever where or will be. Blame the KKK or Don Imus ( who is nothing but a scapegoat) for every hardship or ruin you've ever faced, but the truth is the average crack dealer on your corner has done more damage and destruction to your people and your culture than 1,000 Don Imus's could do.

:rolleyes:

Oh boy.

"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sharpton#Accusations_of_racism_and_homophobia
Sharpton was quoted as saying to an audience at Kean College in 1994 that, “White folks was in caves while we was building empires … We taught philosophy and astrology and mathematics before Socrates and them Greek homos ever got around to it.” Sharpton defended his comments by noting that the term “homo” was not homophobic but added that he no longer uses the term."

Well, actually, this quote is in reference to the myth that Europeans were the beginning of all civilization and schools of thought. It's in response to racist ideology that targets people of color as being from uncivilized and unlearned societies.

The "homo" part was in poor taste and is the only bigotry here.

Macallan:
As for the first comment, IF it's been substantiated, he's factually correct. It's been historically proven that the Egyptian and Greek empires "borrowed" heavily from the accomplishments, traditions, alphabet, disciplines, etc. from the Nubian population in ancient times. They just "forgot" to give the Nubians credit.:rolleyes: Perhaps his usage of the word 'homo was in bad taste, but since then he's made it a point to crusade against homophobia (especially in the black community). As for the second comment, I'll reserve judgement on that until I observe the context of the statement. Maybe it's me, but I don't see the anti-Semitism in calling Jewish people 'diamond merchants.' I don't see how that phrase is demeaning. It sounds like a great occupation to me. I wouldn't say it though if I knew that it offended people of Jewish descent. So, IF that statement has been substantiated , I have no problem aquiescing to you on that point. Sorry to say my trust in Wiki is not bedrock.

PiKa:
Yes, I do know what the "white man's burden" was...A FIGMENT OF THE IMAGINATION. And the newer version is, too. Back then, it served as a justification to build economic empires on the backs of people that were not recognized in their full humanity; and, now it serves as justification to not clean up the mess that the first "white man's burden" started. Personal responsibilty is not a race issue. It's a HUMAN issue. Neither white nor black people are exempt. Both of us will continue to be affected by an unwillingness to be accountable and responsible for our actions, past and present. And since you're so quick to diagnose the black community's ills, why don't you be just as proactive in prescribing and administering a remedy? Trust when I say that there are PLENTY of black people who are ready for solutions.

I heard first heard the quotes and the proof on major news networks....I just found the quotes in full on wikipedia. I don't think they were made up or fabricated. The quotes, among many others, were made known to Sharpton during a recent debate that he was in against Sean Hannity. I watched the entire thing. Sharpton didn't deny that he said any of them, rather making up some pathetic excuse that they were all "taken out of context."

......and if you don't think there is anything wrong with calling Jews "diamond merchants" and telling them to "pin their yarmulkes back and come over to my house"......then you need to get a clue.

I find it really humorous when people try to defend this asshole. But I guess that's what happens when a supposed "saving grace" for black people turns out to be a bigoted racist.

"Diamond merchants" isn't a reference to an occupation.

It's a symbolic reference to the stereotype of Jews. But you've conceded that it is a potentially offensive reference. Not inherently racist on the part of Sharpton but bigoted and potentially offensive.

No. That's what happens when clueless white people search long and hard for someone or something to take the negative attention off of their systemic bigotry.

It isn't about defending Sharpton as a person but defending Sharpton as a concept.

I don't think it took a very "long and hard" search to expose that hypocritical assclown.

I love how black people automatically assume white people are "clueless" in situations like this. Great logic squirt.

It actually did. But I wouldn't expect you to get it. There are enough people who get it.

Not just black people. My white and Hispanic colleagues call clueless white people "clueless," as well. ;)

DSTCHAOS:
Thank you for the clarification on the term and thank you for actually reading my post. Apparently that's too much to ask of other people.

Macallan:
Did you read all of my post or just the part that you wanted to respond to? Perhaps you don't understand the meaning of the word.
Let me help you:
ac·qui·esce
to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest; agree; consent:
I don't know anyone who looks at Al as "saving grace" of any sort. But I can appreciate his efforts to stand up against oppression, degradation, and civil rights abuses. I can appreciate the stands he took on Diallo, Louima, Vieques, Hollywood, hip hop, Imus, Democrats and the "black vote," etc. These are all recent things (last 10 years). Can you acquiesce to any of those?

You're debating on a message board. Specifically THIS message board. This place is a bottomless pit for such discussions.

Unless you are trying to procrastinate as I do when I discuss such topics on here, save your time and brain space.

Thaaaaaats it....resort to your "clueless white people" " speech, like always.


Oh, so you actually know how long it took people to discover racist/bigoted comments that Al Sharpton has made??? Explain? Furthermore, I don't think there really are a whole lot of people who "get it". Why the hell would people not want to try to expose guys like Al Sharpton in order to take off some of the negative attention? He is the one perpetuates it in the first place.

Our social world is based on patterns of behavior.

And this inability to think abstractly and figuratively is why you're clueless. Not all white people are.

Instead of arguing this untruth, you should attempt to reach social consciousness. ;) Then you can disagree or have whatever opinions you choose but AFTER being able to see the larger picture.

Bwahahahahah. I have understood perfectly what you have been saying all along...........but I really find it much more fun to act completely naive so I can read your ridiculous responses. "Searching long and hard for someone/something"......yes, I really do realize what you are getting at. I realize what you have been getting at pretty much the whole time. I have to think you are one of those type people that is truly infatuated with the sound of their own voice. You can talk about white people being clueless, untruths, social consciousness, thinking abstractly, and all of that jazz all that you want...I really could care less. To be completely honest......I think you are absolutely full of shit. You resort to the the same assumptions and arguments in every single situation that is similar to this. It's always the same. So please, spare me any more of your worthless crap about white people being "clueless" and blah blah blah.


..........oh, and none of this takes away from the fact that Al Sharpton is a racist, anti-Semitic, hypocritical, fat piece of shit. I wouldn't piss on that man if he was on fire.

I only read your posts. Not your mind.

Congratulations.

No, congratulations to YOU for supposedly not being clueless. ;)


But typing like you are.

Well.....it is a message board.....and I really don't care how I come across when typing.

Perhaps you do though....in which case you should feel really special.

All of the talk still does not releive the Due Rightous who mad BIG NOISE aboput the Duke Players the bad people does it?

Still hads been nothing said from The Rainbow and Religious Fanatic about how they did them wrong!:mad:

They are still a pair of self rightous fanatics, period!

They use people and so many will not beleive it and follow them!:o

What amazes me when some of are called Bigots and Racists!:rolleyes:

Edited to add when others are not!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see Tom's home now...be careful, Tom. Someday your moonshine-making contraption is going to blow up your garage. Ka-BOOM! :)

I know Chaos already addressed this, but I think there might be another way to explain it - it's actually very similar to depicting black males as having abnormally large penises, in that it relies on a stereotype (ostensibly of something positive) to extend a bigoted portrayal that goes beyond the simple 'positive' feature.

For Jews, it's a symbolic way to bring up usury and the associated problems with those stereotypes.

I've been in the library for what seems like a solid week, so I'm getting in kinda late on this.

Your defense of Al Sharpton is entirely based on your interpretation. Given that you obviously have a significant bias regarding this situation, I think its pretty unreasonable for you to expect us to accept your assertions as factual. What I saw was him going into a hostile situation, stirring emotions, uniting the black community against these boys, and then leaving. Those are obviously only my interpretations, but I think they're easily as valid as yours.

As for the reputation of the Duke lacrosse team, thats a pretty low and petty blow. I fail to see how that has anything to do with the situation, unless you're implying that it is alright to rush to judgment, simply because someone, according to some people, may have a bad reputation.

Thanks for correcting me regarding the other stripper. I was referring to what she told the police. Since we're being so amicable, the word you were searching for in your reply was "vilify".

Al Sharpton isn't my target, I don't really have one. I've repeatedly said that I don't really care if he apologizes or not. However, the title of this thread does include "Al Sharpton" and is noticeably devoid of "Nifong"...

I'm don't know (at least I can't quote) any racist comments of Sharpton. Browsing the thread since your reply, it seems like perhaps a few have arisen. I've heard of such in passing, by my assertions are that Sharpton takes an active role in creating volatile situations within communities and often leaves them without reconciliation. I don't know that Sharpton is racist. I think he has some underlying anger towards the white community and tends to side with the black community during divisive situations, but I'm not sure that makes him a racist. However, I do think he uses racial issues to divide the country, and I personally see little value in him doing so.