Sharpton al biography salvatores

Al Sharpton

Baptist preacher, radio host, human rights activist
Date of Birth: 03.10.1953
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Early Life and Family
  2. Education and Early Career
  3. Religious Background
  4. Civil Rights Activism
  5. Sharpton has organized protests and led rallies on issues such as:
  6. - The 1991 Crown Heights unrest, which involved anti-Semitic violence
  7. Political Career
  8. Controversies

Early Life and Family

Al Sharpton was born Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton Jr. on October 3, 1953, in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Alfred Charles Sharpton Sr., abandoned the family in 1963. Sharpton's mother, Ada Sharpton, struggled financially, leading to their move from a middle-class neighborhood to a poorer area of Brooklyn.

Education and Early Career

Sharpton attended Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn and enrolled in Brooklyn College in 1973. However, he dropped out of college after two years and became a tour manager for James Brown. During this time, he met his wife, Kathy Jordan, a backup singer for Brown. They married in 1980 and divorced in 2004.

Religious Background

Initially baptized in a Pentecostal church, Sharpton became a Baptist in 1980 after the death of Bishop Washington. He was re-baptized by Reverend William Johnson in 1994 and became a member and minister at Bethany Baptist Church.

Civil Rights Activism

Sharpton's involvement in civil rights activism began in 1969 when he was appointed youth director of Operation Breadbasket by Jesse Jackson. In 1971, he founded the National Youth Movement to mobilize resources for impoverished youth.

Sharpton has organized protests and led rallies on issues such as:

- The 1986 Howard Beach riots, where a black man was killed by a white mob

- The 1991 Crown Heights unrest, which involved anti-Semitic violence

- The 1999 shooting of Amadou Diallo, an unarmed Guinean immigrant, by police officers

Political Career

In 2004, Sharpton ran in the Democratic presidential primary.
Other Notable Activities
- Hosts the radio talk show "Keepin' It Real"
- Appears regularly on "The O'Reilly Factor" and MSNBC

- Founded the National Action Network in 1991 to advocate for the poor, small businesses, and voter education

- Protested against the U.S. Navy's bombing of Vieques, Puerto Rico, in 2001, leading to his imprisonment

Controversies

Sharpton has faced accusations of racism and anti-Semitism. Critics have cited his statements and actions, such as his involvement in the Brawley case and his defense of Louis Farrakhan, as evidence of his bias.