@THEREVAL, #racism, #race
Admittedly I was giggling this morning when I discovered that none other than Al Sharpton, Captain African America himself will grace the cover of Newsweek.  In the accompanying cover story titled “The Reinvention of the Reverend,” authors Allison Samuels and Jerry Adler tries to convince the audience that the evolution of Al Sharpton somehow represents the changes in race and politics subsequent to America in the age of President Obama and why the man they describe as “indefatigable” not only is still relevant post historic election but still has work to do.

“If the Rev. Al Sharpton didn’t exist, he would have had to be invented,” the authors open the article.

Quite a compelling statement if you think about it.  In a philosophy derived off from the common belief that history repeats itself the authors suggest that each generation of black America must give rise to a “charismatic preacher-activist who confronts the white power structure in the streets and talks circles around it on Meet the Press.”

Is Captain African America that person? Are the authors suggesting that he’s a necessary caricature of the stereotypical black political bully or perhaps instead an essential historical cog in maintaining the balance of justice and race relations within society.  As you’ll read in this incredibly well written article, the authors surprising lean toward the later.

So what has changed with the man?  The authors suggest that if Sharpton’s “mission” and ‘message’ haven’t changed, his approach surely has.”  Taking the Shirley Sherrod/ USDA fiasco for example.  They illustrate the point that 25 years ago a tracksuit toting, bullhorn grabbing Captain African America would have lead a march on the USDA. But the new school Sharpton with his tailored suits regards such actions as “irresponsible” but “counterproductive” folly.

“Shirley Sherrod is an example of what happens when we play the right wing’s game: they win. We have to choose our battles wisely,” Sharpton said.

While I’m not sure the urge to itch such a scratch was harder to resist than he’s letting on, I do believe Al Sharpton couldn’t have found a more ringing endorsement if he paid to have it written himself.  Hmmmm.  All jokes aside the piece is very well written and touches on the Captain’s ability to shape shift and reinvent himself.

No longer the “bulky, bullhorn-toting figure in a neon-hued tracksuit, topped by a preposterously high, wavy pompadour” the article suggest he’s a more refined and tactical version of his former self. “He is out there all alone, still standing on the same principle he first enunciated in his housing project in Brooklyn: poor people have the same rights as rich ones, to justice in the streets and in the courts.”

While I think to suggest that so much has changed as the authors suggest is a little overzealous,  I do believe he’s wiser at picking and choosing his battles.  The causes he supports are becoming fewer and further between and predicting which he will chose is becoming harder for critics like me to do.  I’m not quite yet ready to lift the “Captain African America” moniker but I do agree with the authors that “if he didn’t exist, we might, in fact, need to invent him.”