When the Hypocrisy Show Fits
Rev. Al Sharpton Visits SLC
By Tracy Medley, 5-21-07
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Outspoken politico Rev. Al Sharpton spent the day in Salt Lake City meeting with officials from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, learning about his own family history and probably eating crow- as my Grammy would say. Rev. Sharpton’s visit to Mo-town comes somewhat suspiciously on the heels of his less-than-tolerant remarks about presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s Mormonism – a gaffe for which he immediately apologized…to “regular Mormons” anyway.
Despite the obvious, Rev. Sharpton who is a Pentecostal minister insisted this trip to the Beehive state had nothing to do with his recent faux pas. “This visit was not about politics. It was not about controversy. It was about trying to learn about each other as believers in God and Christ, to find common ground,” Sharpton said at a press conference outside the Family History Library. He said he hoped to “work together” with Mormons “for the good of humanity.”
Well, okay – Later, Rev. Sharpton broadcast his radio show live from Salt Lake City claiming to respect members of the LDS faith even if he doesn’t agree with them. “Whatever differences I have with their denomination or religion had nothing to do with my respect of their faith,” he said.
Now, I will admit, I like Rev. Sharpton – he’s passionate and loud and says things other people are too polite to tackle. I admire that – usually. But, you can’t squawk out of both sides of your face without deservedly catching a little heat. It wasn’t so long ago that Sharpton demanded that fellow radio talk-show (g)host Don Imus be fired after making racist remarks on air. Imus apologized too, Rev. So, what’s the difference?
It’s easy to call out Rev. Sharpton’s hypocrisy here, but it’s more interesting to hope he’s sincere in wanting to form alliances with those of the LDS faith. Like Maya Angelou said,
“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”
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Comments
Wether or not you want to admit it the LDS Church has a history of intolerance to others who don't subscribe to their faith or with their beliefs. Dose'nt anyone remember when the IRS was going to take away the church's status as tax exempt because of its racial polices towards blacks and the LDS priesthood, then by miracle of God a revelation came down from heaven that said it was alright to let blacks hold the priesthood- Coincidence -I don't think so. Look further into the history behind Utahs civil rights movement- for many years Blacks werent even allowed to spend the night in Utah, unless they were in Ogden and were working for the railroad. In my experiences as a non Mormon growing up in Utah- the LDS can be incredibly hypocritical -preaching one thing but performing another. I think Al had it on the Money.