Rev. Al Sharpton Says He Supports Immigration Reform, But What Else Is He Fighting For?
You may not like the fact that I'm saying this but I have to admit that I haven't been the biggest fan of Rev. Al Sharpton over the years!
Yes, I understand he has been a pivotal figure in the fight for civil rights for the last four or five decades. Without his contributions, I probably wouldn't have the freedom to own PhxSoul.com and say what's on my mind. I completely respect him for his bravery and his willingness to stand up for our rights.
However, I haven't been a fan of the manner in which he serves as one of America's black leaders. He's been loud, boisterous, overbearing and in some cases, he's stood up for people who made him look bad in the end (Tawana Brawley)!
But today, Rev. Al Sharpton made me realize something - he is a smart businessman! You should have seen all of the media that converged on the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church Gymnasium this morning in Phoenix (June 19)! He is a polarizing personality and he knows how to capitalize on his "brand!"
As he spoke to the crowd, I paid attention to the reaction of the crowd and the messages he was conveying. He really got people riled up!
The majority of the attendees were Latino because Rev. Sharpton came to Phoenix to help local politicans and organizations "lobby" for immigration reform. During his speech, Sharpton talked about Section 287(g) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA) which basically allows law enforcement to get away with racial profiling!
Section 287(g) has allowed Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to make life miserable for Latinos here! Section 287(g) gives his deputies the authority to detain people based on their color! His deputies have raided entire neighborhoods! Remember Arpaio's raids on Guadalupe and Mesa?
That kind of racial profiling is completely unfair and reminds me of the Jim Crow era and all the injustices that our forefathers endured! Rev. Sharpton is absolutely right ... African Americans and Latinos should be working together to stop racial profiling and enact immigration reform.
Rev. Sharpton said all the right things today but I had to wonder ... why is he REALLY here?!
Is he REALLY here to fight for Latinos or is REALLY here to stay relevant?
No doubt, Rev. Sharpton is a civil rights crusader! He earns his living off divisiveness and racism! And Arizona is a hotbed of divisiveness and racism!
Illegal immigration is a major issue in America that won't see a resolution anytime soon!
If Rev. Sharpton can become of the major faces in the fight for immigration reform, he'll have a job for the rest of his life!
You can't tell me that Rev. Sharpton doesn't have a business interest here! And the fact that he's going to have a "showdown" on television with Arpaio makes me even more curious about his motives!
PhxSoul.com readers - what do you think about Rev. Sharpton's visit to Phoenix area? Is he here for the right reasons? Do you feel that more African Americans should help Latinos fight for their civil rights? Click on the Comments link below to share your thoughts!
I think that there is no doubt that Reverand Al Sharpton has the best interest of minorities in mind - quite frankly, I'm tired of Monday morning quarterbacks who sit on their couches and criticize while he is all over the place fighting for equality. These quarterbacks have not carried any sign, have not been arrested or marched. The man is right to fight for minorities, this include: blacks, Litinos and etc, for the only way we will prevail is by joining forces. Together we will be a powerful voice for social and political issues. Now, whether you are a black with one dollars or a million dollars, you are still considered second rate. The only route to equality is to legislate it or vote for it or have it decided by the court and until we unite and vote in legislators or judges or political reforms, it will not happen.
Posted by: David Hardaway | August 30, 2010 at 14:12
I feel like Al should not be here, and blacks have no obligation to fight this fight. The fight is not against latinos it's against illegal immigration. ILLEGAL, as in against the law. I have many many family members that came here for a better life, and because they really came here for that reason, and to become proud productive american citizens, they did what they had to do to become americans. Let's get real here, phoenix is now the kidnapping capital of the country (because of illegal immigration), the numbers are staggering after raids how many people are actually charged for a crime and how many others are only here illegally (one example 38 out of 40 immigrants were charged with identity theft after a raid), and my biggest problem of all is most of the immigrants that come here are very disrespectful of our country, our history, and everything about our culture. So why are we fighting for them to be able to stay here. Let's be real, Arizona borders mexico, if sheriff joe isn't screening hispanics, what other group should he screen at stops and raids? No one was fighting for any racial profiling when thousands of Middle eastern people were being racially profiled after 9/11......Google "la raza", and this will change your entire view on illegal immigration, you hear people like george lopez say it, even politicians support it. They don't want to be a part of our country, they want to take over in a sense. Like I said just google that word.......Black people only have one obligation right now, and that's to look out for ourselves and our country, especially with all the issues we still need to deal with in our own community. I'm not saying we shouldn't stand up for whats right, but we should stand up for what's actually right, and there is no real reason to break the law........One love.....Peace.
Posted by: B | October 20, 2009 at 20:54
I have not always been the biggest fan of Rev. Sharpton but over the years as he as grown, I have grown to respect him much more. You may disagree with him but he has always been around to fight for rights of African Americans. Some people think that every time a racial case makes the front page that Rev. Sharpton came just to get in the media, well most of the time the people that are being treated unfairly calls Rev. Sharpton. They call him for help. He does not just try to read all the articles around the United States to see where he can go get on TV. People call him to draw attention to unfair situations. How many of us would stand up for others right when we know it's wrong. Not too many in Phoenix, AZ that's for sure.
Posted by: ABell | July 05, 2009 at 09:05
He is just being politically expedient, that is, in hopes of getting that vote the next around. I hope he, like I, find it ironic that the blacks, after contributing to this country's success in a major way, find themselves last in earnings and purchasing power. Bushed wacked again
Posted by: Mo, | June 29, 2009 at 10:49