Sharpton: 'Gangsterism' Harming Blacks
By CLIFF BRUNT , 08.17.2006, 10:02 PM

Many potential young black leaders fall under the spell of the "gangster mentality" and are preventing themselves from making a positive impact in politics, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Thursday.

The key to leadership is having the individual initiative to change the status quo, said Sharpton, who spoke during the annual conference of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Sharpton, who is considering another run for president, faulted Hollywood and the record industry for making "gangsterism" seem cool and acceptable.

"We have got to get out of this gangster mentality, acting as if gangsterism and blackness are synonymous," he said. "I think that challenge has to be given to Hollywood and the record industry. I think we've allowed a whole generation of young people to feel that if they're focused, they're not black enough. If they speak well and act well, they're acting white, and there's nothing more racist than that."

Sharpton's National Action Network is just one group willing to help get young blacks into politics, he said.

"Nobody broke in my house in Brooklyn and dragged me out the projects and made me a leader, I wanted to do that. Clearly, we would work with young people who want to do the work," he said.

Lottie Shackelford, vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, said during the same panel discussion that the time is ripe for getting more young blacks involved.

"So many young folks are waiting to be asked, or they say they want others to move so they can gain a slot, and I say, there's room for everybody. Let's work together," she said.

Sharpton, who ran for president in 2004, competing in several Democratic primaries, said he might run again in 2008. He will watch this November's elections before making up his mind.

Sharpton noted that Congress has several up-and-coming black political stars, such as Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois - the nation's only black senator - and Rep. Harold Ford Jr. of Tennessee, who is running for Senate.

He says he plans to monitor several races this fall that involve black Republicans.

Sharpton said, however, that the media should be careful before reporting that blacks are moving toward Republican leadership positions, as this year's black GOP candidates "may be yesterday's news come November."

http://www.forbes.com/technology/ebusiness/feeds/ap/2006/08/17/ap2957930.html

Sharpton, who is considering another run for president, faulted Hollywood and the record industry for making "gangsterism" seem cool and acceptable.

. . .

"Nobody broke in my house in Brooklyn and dragged me out the projects and made me a leader, I wanted to do that. Clearly, we would work with young people who want to do the work," he said.


These statements seem to be at odds with each other. On one hand, it's Hollywood's fault, on the other hand, people need to get off their butt and take matters into their own hands. You either have a mind of your own or you don't. Still, it would seem Al's mellowing in his old age.

Many potential young black leaders fall under the spell of the "gangster mentality" and are preventing themselves from making a positive impact in politics, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Thursday.


Sharpton, who is considering another run for president, faulted Hollywood and the record industry for making "gangsterism" seem cool and acceptable.

"We have got to get out of this gangster mentality, acting as if gangsterism and blackness are synonymous," he said. "I think that challenge has to be given to Hollywood and the record industry. I think we've allowed a whole generation of young people to feel that if they're focused, they're not black enough. If they speak well and act well, they're acting white, and there's nothing more racist than that."


I couldnt agree with those quotes more....

Where has he been for the past 15 years?

These statements seem to be at odds with each other. On one hand, it's Hollywood's fault, on the other hand, people need to get off their butt and take matters into their own hands. You either have a mind of your own or you don't.I don't think it's contradictory to suggest that gangster culture puts negative pressure on young blacks and that an act of will is needed to resist that pressure.Still, it would seem Al's mellowing in his old age.I like Al Sharpton, and were it not for the Tawana Brawley fiasco I would like him a lot. I love it when he comes on the Sean Hannity show and makes mincemeat out of him. What makes it even more funny is that Hannity seems to have no clue he's being thrashed.

It's a lot like reading Decka here on allForums. :)

Many potential young black leaders fall under the spell of the "gangster mentality" and are preventing themselves from making a positive impact in politics, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Thursday.

""in politics".........?!?!?

How about in ALL facets of life, Mr Sharpton?!?!

Al Sharpton and every other black leader with ANY influence should come out and tell black Americans in no uncertain terms;

"All black people that fall under the spell of the "gangster mentality" are putting major road blocks in the way of their creating any sort of productive and happy LIFE for themselves."

The despicable "gangster" mentality that has become so prevalent is like giving poison to young blacks.

wow... i actually agree whole-heartedly with FT... weird

It wasn't all that long ago when comedian Bill Cosby delivered a very similar message to blacks and the black community was overly critical. It's hard to believe Sharpton's delivery is more palatable.

wow... i actually agree whole-heartedly with FT... weird

LOL.

Yes, it is, isn't it?

;)

I'm glad we can finally agree on something; that this "gansta" thing is a detestable and destructive influence.

Convincing millions of young people of a certain race to act as if they are both...

a) stupid

and

b) bad asses

...is about as negative a concept as can be imagined.

It wasn't all that long ago when comedian Bill Cosby delivered a very similar message to blacks and the black community was overly critical. It's hard to believe Sharpton's delivery is more palatable.

I think that in an odd way, the extreme negative reaction to Cosby's words were indicative of the sort of --"We have to demonstrate that we're not like whitey"-- mentality that MANY blacks, not just the young, have.

Cosby does not speak "ghetto" enough to be accepted by black society in general; he has been very successful and is -unfortunately- seen as somewhat of a sellout and uncle tom.

Sad.

Black people need to emulate Cosby's type of drive, intelligent discourse and kind and thoughtful personality instead of rejecting it and complaining about it.

Maybe Al Sharpton has had an epiphany but I seriously doubt it.

This is the man who continued pressing the Tawana Brawley case even after he knew it was a hoax.

This is the man who tried to ruin the life of Stephen Pagonis even though he knew he was innocent.

This is the man who refuses to pay Mr. Pagonis the money the courts awarded him.

This is the man who incited the riots in NYC that caused Korean and Jewish stores to be looted and destroyed and caused the death of a Korean man.

This is the man who has blamed every ill in the black community on non-blacks.

Even now, he blames Hollywood and the record industry for the ills of blacks rather than placing the blame where it belongs, on the black youth themselves. It is neither Hollywood or the record industry forcing young blacks to join street gangs, to kill each other in drive by shootings, to refuse to study in school because that would make them an Oreo. It is neither Hollywood or the record industry causing young black girls and women to have children out of wedlock and young black men to abandon them. It is neither Hollywood nor the record industry that is causing young black men and women to quite school and get low paying, dead end jobs if they get any job and do not depend on welfare. It is neither Hollywood nor the record industry that is causing blacks to vote at lower rates than other races.

Don't blame Hollywood or the record industry. If blacks want to reverse what has happened they are going to have to look in the mirror and see themselves and determine to change. Black parents are going to have to insist that their children come home at a decent hour. They are going to have to insist that their children remain in school. They are going to have to insist that if they are sexually active they practice safe sex.

Black youths are going to have to realize that a good education is a necessity in today's world. They are going to have to realize that going on a job interview wearing low slung pants, unlaced sneakers and an oversized sweatshirt most likely means you aren't going to get the job. Young black men who impregnate young black women are going to have to start taking responsibility for the children they have fathered.

It isn't Hollywood's fault and it isn't the record industry's fault.

I think that in an odd way, the extreme negative reaction to Cosby's words were indicative of the sort of --"We have to demonstrate that we're not like whitey"-- mentality that MANY blacks, not just the young, have.

Cosby does not speak "ghetto" enough to be accepted by black society in general; he has been very successful and is -unfortunately- seen as somewhat of a sellout and uncle tom.

Sad.

Black people need to emulate Cosby's type of drive, intelligent discourse and kind and thoughtful personality instead of rejecting it and complaining about it.
Exactly, FT. Well put.

Don't blame Hollywood or the record industry. If blacks want to reverse what has happened they are going to have to look in the mirror and see themselves and determine to change.

Black parents are going to have to insist that their children come home at a decent hour. They are going to have to insist that their children remain in school. They are going to have to insist that if they are sexually active they practice safe sex.

Black youths are going to have to realize that a good education is a necessity in today's world.


It isn't Hollywood's fault and it isn't the record industry's fault.

Wow.

I don't know which one of those points is the best....they're ALL superb.

I could not agree more.

Young black men who impregnate young black women are going to have to start taking responsibility for the children they have fathered.

Sadly, I don't think that is going to happen. Not until and unles there is an immense change in black people's attitudes and worldview.

all i have to say is Cosby was on tour telling it how it is.. and then he got canned... im guessing the higher ups, the ones who MAKE so much money off of the material "gansta hip hop" culture made sure to shut him up.. i mean, those people wouldnt want anyone actually HEARING a voice of REASON from cosby....