Al Sharpton Criticizes White Media

Associated Press ^ | August 6, 2003 | Mike Glover

[schaketo]

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Veteran black activist Al Sharpton contended Wednesday that the news media are dismissive of his presidential campaign because newsrooms are overwhelmingly white.

"I think when you look at the lack of diversity in the newsrooms, when you look at the lack of diversity from the editors and those in power, then you see them as automatically dismissive of anything that is not like them, which is white males," said Sharpton.

"I think we've seen some very blatant racial insensitivity in the coverage of this race so far," said Sharpton, in an interview with The Associated Press.

Sharpton complained that former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean has been virtually anointed the hot candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 — a case, he said, of a white-dominated media focusing on a middle-age white man.

He noted that many commentators have compared Dean to former presidents Carter and Clinton, both governors of relatively small states, without mentioning that both Georgia and Arkansas have sizable minority populations, while Vermont is nearly all white.

"No one has even asked about the fact that this surge of support has been really one-dimensional," said Sharpton.

In addition, Sharpton said he is often asked about how he can hope to lure white voters in key early states like Iowa and New Hampshire, while Dean is never pressed on how he will appeal to minorities.

"When I come to Iowa, they ask how can Sharpton get the white vote," said Sharpton. "I've run in New York and gotten more white votes in my races than he's gotten black votes in Vermont? Why aren't we talking about that?"

Sharpton said former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, another Democratic presidential who is black, also isn't getting serious news coverage.

"That kind of racial insensitivity has permeated this race," he said. "I think we've seen some very blatant racial insensitivity in the coverage of this race so far."

Sharpton was in Sioux City to join Sen. Tom Harkin (news, bio, voting record) in a series of forums Harkin is sponsoring giving the nine Democratic candidates a chance to make their case with activists pledged to attend next January's precinct caucuses. The caucuses will launch the presidential nominating season.

[Dan from Michigan]

Al's right here.....

There are too many white males....LIBERAL white males.

[Paul Atreides]

Veteran black activist Al Sharpton contended Wednesday that the news media are dismissive of his presidential campaign because newsrooms are overwhelmingly white.

More like, overwhelmingly Dimocrat.

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

[Paul Atreides]

That's the way to get votes: BLAME WHITEY!

[LasVegasMac]

I really did not need to see my home town and Al Sharpton mentioned in the same line.

Go Al Go!

LVM

[MeekOneGOP]

[Peach]

No one is shocked Sharpton is playing the race card, only surprised it took so long.

[Brimack34]

What is his take on the NY Slimes? They tried affirmative action, look what it got them.

[leprechaun9]

Al Charleton has two openings, his mouth and his BIG butt. His problem is that it is difficult to determine which one he is speaking from!

[Paul Atreides]

only surprised it took so long.

Well, those trips to the hairdresser took up a lot of his time.

[peteram]

What a bitter (and delusional) little man.

[ChadGore]

Not a single democrat even SHOWED UP
at the Carrol Mosley Braun coming out party.

If Al wants racists, go DNC.COM.

[RWG]

when you look at the lack of diversity in the newsrooms, when you look at the lack of diversity from the editors and those in power, then you see them as automatically dismissive of anything that is not like them, which is white males...I guess that's why Jayson Blair keeps getting work.

[F.J. Mitchell]

"Al's right......."

There you go, dissing Al-Al is left.

[peteram]

Two problems with that picture:

1. The proper way to address a female President would be "Madame President". "Ms. President is just bad grammar.
2. The flag hanging behind her is touching the floor. This is a No-No. Sows a great lack of respect for our nations symbol.

As J.H. would say - "Just my 2 cents."

[FloridaBoy]

Hey... is the Braun woman from Texas?

[Tacis]

There is no doubt about it! America will be a far better place if Rev. Sharpton is the dem party nominee for President in 2004.

Al most know, however, that he gets a far better deal from ultr-left wing, white pressitutes than he would from an equal number of honest black people who worked for the media.

[mathurine]

Al Sharpton has been, still is, and will be an opportunist. If it weren't for a liberal white media always trying to make amends, Al would have been dismissed by any objective news media long ago. Al has no more chance of election , given his history of peculiarity, than a fart would have in a whirlwind; he's the sort who has given narrowly ethnic candidates a bad name. It takes more than a minority to gain election in a democracy, so Al would need to appeal to more than his particular minority, whereas I doubt he could gain the votes of his ethnic minority, let alone enough of the rest of the electorate to amount to a hill of beans. He makes a good living doing nothing, however, and probably is secretly satisfied with the largesse he acquires simply running his mouth.

[hgro]

Sharpton's words spoken like the defender of slimy characters that he is and reporters of any ethnic origin are not capable of reporting anything positive about little Al because there isn't anything positive.

[Major_Risktaker]

Maybe BIG AL should try local government first or elsewhere.

---