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Blog Entry 46 of 68 The Write Words
I hope to write about anything and everything that comes into my mind, as long as it is in good taste. I hope to communicate effectively and stimulate thought and conversation. I can't wait to get started!

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~ErinsBlog

Message to Al Sharpton: practice what you preach

Contributed by: Erin Di Paolo   on 5/15/2007

Al Sharpton is in the news again. This time it is not about someone else being racist or sexist; this time Sharpton is the culprit.

At first glance, Sharpton's comments appear to be of a religious nature; when he defended himself, however, it came down to what it always does: race.

Sharpton recently said that "those of us who believe in God" would defeat (Republican presidential candidate) Mitt Romney. When I first heard Sharpton's comments, the first thing I thought about is how many conservative Christians view Mormons with suspicion because their beliefs are in opposition to one another. But then I remembered: Sharpton is by no means a conservative Christian.

So I dug a little deeper. When I read a story in the paper last week, I found out the real reason Sharpton is upset; it is not at all because Sharpton disagrees with Romney's theological beliefs; it all comes down to race, again.

While defending himself two days later, Sharpton challenged Romney to say whether he believed in the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, namely, that blacks have not always been considered as equals to whites.

So, as Sharpton put it, it is not about being a bigot; it is challenging bigotry. Of course. When it comes to Sharpton's words, it is always about something else, but all other humans are held to a different, higher standard when they express their views.

I take exception to Sharpton's comments and I am not a Mormon. I am a Christian whose beliefs do not agree, on many levels, with Mormons. But I would never accuse Romney of not believing in God. If I wanted to, I could surely challenge Sharpton on some of his beliefs that, on the surface, also appear to conflict with belief in God. But I am not going to do that because, just like everyone else, Sharpton has a right to believe what he wants and I am not going to stand in judgment of him regarding his relationship to God. There is only one who can do that and I do not profess to be Him.

Who does Sharpton think he is and why does he feel he should be able to get away with such comments when he holds everyone else to a strict code of moral behavior? Every time I turn around, he is on television or in the newspaper, lambasting everyone who makes a comment that he determines to be racist. Now here he is, questioning a presidential candidate's belief in God, yet he feels justified in doing so.

It sickens me, which brings me to my last point: why is Sharpton not receiving as much negative press in this situation as he does positive coverage when he is attacking others for intolerance?

Am I the only one who sees the double standard?

I, for one, am glad that Romney chose to take Sharpton on. Someone needs to.


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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: Tonee Lawrence
posted on 5/17/2007 @ 9:11:34 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Funny, my sister and I were just talking about this topic this weekend... Great blog!
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Submitted By: Ed Conikey
posted on 5/15/2007 @ 6:24:53 PM
(Not Rated)
Mitt Romney was a member of a blatantly, openly, racist institution for 31 years of his life. (Mormons policy until 1978 banned blacks from the "priesthood", and taught that blacks were cursed by god.) Instead of taking shots at Al Sharpton, why don't you question Mitt Romney's association to a racist institution for over half of his life?
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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Erin Di Paolo

Denver , CO

Erin Di Paolo has posted 68 blog entries and 1 comment since joining on 3/18/2006. Erin Di Paolo 's average blog rating is 4.45.
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