THE PLANK JUNE 11, 2008
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A lot of people have been wondering how, with the rise of young, so-called post-racial politicians, the old guard of civil-rights leaders will adapt.
I caught up with the Reverend Al Sharpton this morning after he spoke at an event on education reform. I asked him afterwards how he would push education reform as a civil-rights issue while countering the opposition of traditionally liberal actors like teachers unions. "As we change the paradigm in politics," he said, "we have to change the paradigm in the civil rights coalition." He then mentioned a new generation of civil rights leaders who represent that paradigm shift, leaders like Deval Patrick, Barack Obama … and himself. "We're all part of that late 40s, early 50s generation," he continued. (Sharpton, who I thought was ageless, is only 54.) I'm all for the Reverend's new efforts on education, but this seems a rather brazen effort at rebranding.
--Ben Crair
5 comments
The words "brazen," "chutzpah" and "opportunistic" just hung their heads in shame and slunk off their respective dictionary pages to the nearest bar.
- WoodyBombay
June 11, 2008 at 5:31pm
Can you blame him? He traded in his track suit for a business suit when he ran for Pres. He's not dumb.
- stgla
June 11, 2008 at 5:40pm
Since he rebrands himself every decade, he's currently only eight years old!
- twodox
June 11, 2008 at 6:29pm
That's Funny.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but did't Mssr Sharpton vow to shut down New York City last month? The aquittal of the Black Police Officer who shot the Black Groom the night (Morning) before his wedding outside a Strip Club.
Meet the New Boss, same as the Old Boss.
- CRS9TNR
June 11, 2008 at 7:38pm
What is involved here are putative rebrandings. Underneath it is the same old Reverend Al, the race-hustler and demagogue.
- liberal reformer
June 11, 2008 at 8:10pm