Al Sharpton is a hypocritical douche

Al Sharpton is calling for shock-jock Don Imus to be fired for calling the mostly-black Rutgers women's basketball team a bunch of "nappy-headed hoes." Apparently the phrase "nappy-headed" is a derogatory term used to describe the quality of African American hair (didn't realize this until recently). Of course it was offensive, of course it was racist, and of course it was Don Imus. He's been saying offensive things for years now - decades even. But even he has apologized for the remark.

But upon what moral podium may Sharpton talk from? Before Sharpton gained national prominance, he had long been a controversial figure here in New York. In 1991, a Hasidic Jew accidentally hit and killed Gavin Cato, a black man, with his car, causing anti-Semetic riots to erupt around town. At Cato's funeral, Sharpton denounced the "diamond merchants" (Jews) with the "blood of innocent babies on their hands" (a jab at the Jewish religion's support for abortion rights). He never apologized for those remarks. Nor did Jesse Jackson, who suggested that New York rename itself "Hymie town" (hymie is an old derogatory term for Jews). Soon after, a young Jewish student was surrounded and stabbed to death by a group shouting "kill the Jew!" And the silence from both Sharpton and Jackson was deafening.

Then four years earlier, 15 year-old black female Tawana Brawley claimed to be raped by a bunch of white guys up in Poughkeepsie. As it turns out she was lying (interesting how history repeats itself... Duke case anyone?) and her case was thrown out. Sharpton accused prosecutor Steve Pagones of raping the girl, and when the case was thrown out, Sharpton dared Pagones to sue him if he was so sure Brawley was lying. Pagones did sue and easily won over $300,000. Even after all that, Sharpton has refused to apologize and maintains Brawley's innocence.

Not to mention Sharpton's rallies against whites moving into Harlem, specifically a Jewish store owner moving in - a "white interloper" according to Sharpton. Or the time when he demeaned the "bloodsucking Jews" of New York. Or the time when he threatened to "burn the building down" (refering to the same store mentioned earlier). Soon after, a group of blacks took Sharpton's advice and actually did burn down the building, but not after shooting and killing four of the workers in the store.

So Al, please shut the fuck up. Yes, Imus is an idiot and probably a racist, but he pales in comparison to you.

Oh yes, and one more thing! Several Democratic members of the Black Caucus in Congress are calling on the FCC to investigate Imus for his comments. Are these not the same people opposing an amendment banning flag-burning on the ground of free speech? Ahem.

What an incredibly asinine situation all around.