All posts containing the tag: "rev. al sharpton"
During an important discussion on income inequality, an anchor for MSNBC got her Reverends mixed up -- introducing Rev. Jesse Jackson as Rev. Al Sharpton.
Contessa Brewer ended up blaming the identity crisis on the teleprompter -- but by the look on Rev. Jackson's face ... the damage was done.
Filed under: TV
Ever wonder where Reverend Al Sharpton got that silvery sleek, decidedly un-nappy coiffure? The good Rev. tells TMZ that it was an edict from none other than music legend James Brown, and that he's keeping the coiffure to honor the late Godfather of Soul's memory.
According to a source close to Sharpton, a couple decades ago, the Godfather of Soul asked Sharpton to "straighten your hair like mine so when people see you they think you're my son." Papa's giving you a brand-new 'do!
Thus, when rapper David Banner called him a "permed-out pimp" in a recent tirade, it struck a particularly sore chord with Rev. Al, who was so close to Brown that he stood by James' coffin throughout his public visitation at the Apollo Theater last December.
What's more, don't look for the Rev. to give up the look anytime soon. In fact, he says he'll never give it up. "That's my bond with James Brown," he tells us.
Filed under: Wacky & Weird
Reverend Al Sharpton -- and his crew-- borrowed from the Isaiah Washington playbook to snap back at a rapper's filthy insults.
Rev. Al responded last night to rap-becile David Banner (real name Levell Crump), who while expressing his "hatred" for Sharpton earlier this week graciously invited Al to "suck [his] d*ck," amongst other offers, on hip-hop newser SOHH.com. Through Kirsten John-Foy, one of the leaders of the Rev's National Action Network, he roared back to the site, "From time to time we do encounter people that have sexual fantasies about Reverend Al Sharpton, but they are always women and Crump's proposition is a first."
Then, entering slightly murkier waters, John-Foy continued, "I am sure Rev. Sharpton would not call Crump the "N" "B" or "H" word ... [but] despite Crump's personal request, I am sure Reverend Sharpton would not call him a f-g--t."
A rep for Rev. Al confirmed that John-Foy's response was in fact sent from his office, but added that Rev. Al would "never" respond directly to comments like Banner's.
Filed under: Celebrity Feuds
Rev. Al Sharpton is going to the dogs ... and by dogs, of course, we mean bitches.
Sharpton has turned his attention from celebrity news websites and is lending his voice to a crusade against ... dogfighting? Sharpton and hip-hop honcho Russell Simmons teamed up with PETA to send an open letter to all corporate sponsors of alleged dog fight creep Michael Vick, as well as to the Commissioner of the NFL. PETA picketed New York's Niketown store today.
In their letter, Sharpton and Simmons proclaim, "Hurting animals for human pleasure or gain is despicable ... Our battle must extend to those innocent animals who literally have no voice or choice."
Oh, really, Al? The good Rev was nowhere to be seen last summer, when Beyonce Knowles -- whom he strenuously defended when we called her outfit "roboho" -- was exposed by a PETA ambush for using the fur of smaller "innocent animals" in her fashion line. The confrontation during a lunch at Nobu, was caught on video and obtained exclusively by TMZ.
Rev. Al got right back to us when we asked for comment, pointing out that he joined PETA last year in protesting chicken industry practices: "Whether I or a person agree or disagree on a social issue, it does not entitle that
person or their attire to be referred to in a misogynistic manner."
Filed under: Wacky & Weird
Meredith Vieira turned the tables on Rev. Al Sharpton this morning, blasting him for not doing enough to stop black rappers from using words like "ho" and "b**ch" in their lyrics while excoriating Don Imus for doing so. Snap!
Sharpton was on the "Today" show this morning to react to Imus' firing by MSNBC, and the Rev. repeated his contention that Imus' place on the "public" airwaves made him responsible -- and ultimately culpable -- for his "nappy-headed hos" remark. Vieira then challenged Sharpton, demanding to know why he didn't hold hip-hop and rap artists more responsible for "spreading the message" of demeaning and abusive language, and accusing Sharpton of perpetuating a "double standard."
The Rev. explained that his organization, National Action Network, was working to get more rappers with "positive messages" onto the airwaves, but acknowledged that those rappers weren't getting exposure.
Filed under: TV, Celebrity Feuds
TMZ has learned that Michael Richards is reaching out to civil rights leaders, asking for forgiveness.
Uber-publicist Howard Rubenstein, who was hired just today by the "Seinfeld" star, tells TMZ that Richards was on the phone today with Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton, apologizing for his racial rant last Friday at L.A.'s Laugh Factory -- a rant captured on video and first shown on TMZ.
Rubenstein says Richards has made other phone calls today as well, expressing regret for his comments. Rubenstein says, "He's appalled at what he did and wants to start the healing process." Rubenstein adds, "Whether it be an attack on any racial group -- disguised or posed as humor -- he acknowledges it's horrible and wrong and he will never do that again."
Rubenstein says the calls were received "positively." Sharpton, however, stated publicly that he did not buy Richards' apology on "Letterman."
Filed under: Train Wrecks
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