Hypocrisy, Sharpton Style

These days, anytime an alleged transgression or racial wrongdoing has taken place towards a person of color, the Rev. Jesse Jackson or the Rev. Al Sharpton elbow their way to the microphones to speak on behalf of Black America. That the media accepts them as legitimate surrogates on behalf of an entire race of people is a subject we’ll save for another day.

Yes, don’t get in the way of Sharpton if he can profit from media exposure or some other form of financial benefit by standing in front of the cameras and professing his outrage. Duke lacrosse players? Right out in front. Don Imus case? Leading the charge and meeting with senior executives at television networks demanding justice and equality.

I’m curious, though unsurprised, about the lack of wall-to-wall coverage generated by Rev. Sharpton’s comments the other day regarding former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R). Lest anyone accuse me of taking this out of context, here’s what Rev. Sharpton said verbatim:

“As for the one Mormon running for office,” Mr. Sharpton said, “those that really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don’t worry about that. That’s a temporary situation.”

Reading Sharpton’s comments I can only conclude that (1) the Reverend, ostensibly one who speaks the words of God to others, doesn’t believe Mormons really believe in God and (2) Americans who believe in a real religion will defeat Romney’s bid for high elective office.

Are you kidding me? If a Republican had said the same thing, we’d be treated to more of the television and media coverage we saw with Imus. In fact, the likes of Sharpton and his ilk would be calling for the resignation of anyone (anyone not a liberal Democrat, that is) who had uttered such hateful and bigoted language. But put a black, liberal Democrat who is articulate and camera-savvy under the microscope for uttering bigoted words? No way — apparently that’s not something the media’s interested in covering. Nor are they holding Sharpton to the same standard to which he demands they hold others.

This and other episodes of a media double standard and the coddling of race-baiters like the Rev. Jesse Jackson and the Rev. Al Sharpton make me sick.