Al keeps his promise and begins his attack on the music industry for promoting negative content on the airwaves.

The National Action Network

Rev. Al Sharpton

&

Councilwoman Darlene Mealy

Invite You To Join Us As We

MARCH FOR DECENCY

Thursday, May 3, 2007 @ 5:30 PM

Register Online:

Log on to www.nationalactionnetwork.net and register today!

Join Us As We Protest Sexism, Racism And Homophobia In Music

The March will begin at Sony Music, Madison Avenue at 55th Street - continue to Universal Music, Broadway between 56th and 57th Streets - and finally to Time Warner, located at Columbus Avenue and 58th Street

Doubt the headline's premise? Check out this YouTube of audio from the Rush Limbaugh show, featuring a rendition of

Barack

Negro

by an Al Sharpton impersonator.

Hello, Federal Communications Commission?

Over the last week the Don Imus fiasco as brought out a plethora of emotions, comments, and discussion. The one that was most prevalent is the issue of the "Double Standard".

Why is it OK for someone black to say it but not Imus? Well first as an African American I do not think its OK for anyone of any background to make such comments. Not all of Black America agrees with the music(rappers) and media(entertainers) that promote and portray the language such as what Don Imus said. Black America is as diverse as America itself on issues and ideas including this one. I do believe however with the fall of Don Imus we must turn our attention to hip hop music and other media outlets. This is the fight that will be fought long and hard on all sides.

First dealing with music. Hip Hop Music is a multi-million dollar industry. In particular "gangsta" rap and music with sexual content. This is what sells. So you now must ask not only the people who make the music to change but the people who give them millions to stop promoting it. Are these people willing to lose money to help stop the culture of violence, hate and sexism to save the children who listen to this music of all ages and ethnic backgrounds? Of course not.

As Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson protest outside the CBS building over Imus and Obama calls for Imus' termination my post on the issues of black power and black leadership past/present/future come into play. If this can galvanize organization in the minority communities, this may beginning of something big.

Community Activist and Acclaimed Author Kevin Powell writes about the Imus situation and how it should be looked at:

Don Imus, Race, and Sex in America
By Kevin Powell

I attended Rutgers University in the 1980s, I am a native of Jersey City, and I've always been proud of any accomplishments that have come from that state. So you can imagine my pride as the school's women's basketball team made its march through the recent NCAA tournament. Proud because Rutgers' coach, C. Vivian Stringer, one of the sport's great mentors, has had so many tragedies in her life, yet she has withstood them with grace, dignity, and a complete dedication to these young women, all underclass students. Proud because I noted the backgrounds of RU's players (the majority of them African American), many of them from inner city environments similar to mine; yet they had managed to avoid those minefields and had become, with their brilliant run to the championship game against the mighty University of Tennessee, an example for women and girls nationwide. Focus and persevere, their play seem to say, and you can achieve anything.

Yes, I was disappointed that the Lady Knights lost to Tennessee. But far more disappointing was radio personality Don Imus' “nappy-headed hos” remark the next day, Wednesday, April 4th-coincidentally the 39th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He and his producer, Bernard McGuirk, engaged in the following exchange:

Recently Al Sharpton was asked if he was "jealous" of Barack Obama. Of course, he said no and said he has not made any decisions on who he is supporting in the race, and that he needs to hear more from Obama. Now, I do not mind hearing more from Obama myself, but the jealous part got me thinking about Obama's run and what he really means long term.

Obama's run for President presents a new beginning in black leadership as well as an end. For years the African-American community as had a "call list" in regard to certain issues and aspects in the community. You have your religious leaders, political leaders, and community leaders. When there is an issue of police brutality, you dial Al Sharpton. When you have an issue with racism, you may call on Jesse Jackson. If its a religious issue, you look to T.D. Jakes. Now things have changed.

Obama represents the one thing, the one person that many have tried to be, or claimed to be looking for. He is the product of the civil rights movement as well as the results of doors being opened by the likes of a Jesse Jackson who ran for Prez in 84. The problem is he becomes the voice. No longer will people look to the Jacksons, Sharptons and others who are always free to show up on the Fox News channel. When something happens, we will ask: "What does Obama think?"

I posted about this elsewhere, but I can't bear the thought that anyone might have missed this gem from today's Daily News. Here's a New Year's send off, and let the screenplay rights bidding begin - it's James Brown's last ride:

William Murrell, who had shuttled the music legend around for the past 15 years, drove Brown's body on an 800-mile pilgrimage from Augusta, Ga., to Harlem - a trip that took him from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. yesterday.

"I drove him in life, and I drove him in death," said Murrell, 47. "I can't say no to Mr. Brown."

The coffin had arrived too late at the funeral home for staff there to make a scheduled flight out of Atlanta. And the remaining flights that could carry the remains were all booked as well.

Without a second thought, Murrell yanked the backseats out of his Ford van and loaded up. He and a co-worker piloted the Ford Club Wagon van up I-95 with the Rev. Al Sharpton, the funeral home director and Brown's 24-karat gold-plated coffin in back.

"We talked the whole time," added Murrell who owns a transportation company in Augusta. "Old times, the good old days, all the fun that we had, all the people he touched, the lives that he changed. It went on and on."

And as soon as they reached New York, they flipped on the radio to find Brown's songs playing nonstop.

Murrell had to hurry to get to the city in time. But, hey:

"Who's gonna stop us? We've got the Godfather of Soul in the car!"

Beautiful...

I have been known to bitch publicly and privately about Al Sharpton but, DAMN! Sharpton absolutely nails it over the head.

[via NY1: Top Stories]:

"We need a mayor that's strong enough to bring us through 9/11 but compassionate enough that if Katrina hits he'll make sure that poor people aren't the scapegoats of a natural disaster," Sharpton said. "I've been disturbed by some things he's done, but his overall record has warranted support.

[...]

"It seems like the Democratic primary is winding down to him and Mr. Weiner," Sharpton said Saturday of Ferrer and Congressman Anthony Weiner. "I think that Mr. Weiner has performed well in the debates, but I can't forget that he is a pro-Iraq War Democrat."

All my endorsements are coming in separate posts. Use this though to ask any questions or vent any doubts about the candidates.