by Joshua Henry

Created on: October 24, 2008

There's not much to say about Al Sharpton. Seriously. He says it all each time he opens his mouth. But to find some words and phrases that fit, let's try "holier than thou," "hypocrite," "racist," "bigot," "misogynist," "megalomaniac," and the list goes on. Never in the history of America has one man been granted so much slack in his rope. Oops! If Al were to read this, I'd be labeled a racist for saying "rope." He would then proceed to rally his "base" and put weight (no pun intended) on the good people at Helium until I was banned (Okay, I lied - pun intended).

It's also not entirely his fault. He's like that kid who dances and sings and tries out for American Idol. The judges say, "Oh, my god! That was horrible!" But the kid, in his wondrous, child-like splendor, doesn't realize he's horrible because his parents have embellished at every chance. His overbearing mother proclaimed how excellent he was. His father is proud of his talent. As a result, that kid eventually grows into a man and never realizes how utterly horrific his brand of entertainment is. It's a bit longwinded, but it explains Al Sharpton's problem. People have always been there to pat him on the back. Now on the downside of a nowhere career, Al's reverting back to the days of tap dance and over-emphasizing what previously drew applause.

Another decided factor in Al's downfall is the miniscule amount of blatant racism, to scale, since he was once a revered voice. D.L. Hughley calls someone a cracker. Al says that's fine. And nobody disagrees. It's comedy - don't take it personally. Don Imus calls somebody a nappy headed ho. Al sets out on a mission to ruin his life. What about Imus was so different? You don't have to actually be funny to be a comedian. Pauly Shore is living proof of that. Could it be that Al is just bored?

No one should ever be so bold to think that racism doesn't exist in America. As long as people look the slightest bit different, there will always be superiority claims. Al is a throwback to a time where an outspoken African-American voice was needed in the public. Unless you're a true believer in Al's brand of hypocrisy as religion, you realize he squandered his chance. He's really never been nothing but a loud mouth who rallies people with a common interest. Where I come from, we call that fear mongering - and sometimes extortion. Playing to someone's sensibilities for your own sick gain is disgusting.

The media, which has been primarily liberal since 1992, save Fox news, loves the "everyman" aspect that Al brings on off days. When he isn't on a witch hunt, Al can put his twist on issues and almost make you believe they're worth fighting for. He preaches equality. Hey, we all love that. He preaches for the poor to triumph. How could you ever disagree? But then, seemingly out of nowhere, he preaches for segregation. And although it's not deliberate, claiming that one race is held to a different standard because of atrocities of the past is basically asking to still be separate. But, Al, you were just preaching equality right before some Chinese lady said "trigger" and slipped the "T."

Al is a walking contradiction if there ever was one. I would love nothing more than to say he's harmless - but any man with a voice and a following is very, very dangerous. You needn't look farther than Hitler for proof. I'm not comparing the two in any way except to say that a man who rallies the people can easily turn rancid and use his "base" to exercise his sick will. Al already does this, but let's be thankful it's on a very small scale.

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