Reverend Al's B-day Bash Turns Into Awkward Political Affair

Saturday's weekly meeting of Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network was a little extra spirited yesterday, the gathering being used as a birthday party for the Rev, who was turning 55. But the festive occasion didn't stop Bill Thompson from using it as a pitch to its attendees to make sure they lend a hand to a campaign that could use it. Thompson said, "We have 32 days until the election, 32 days. Over the next 32 days, I need each and everyone of you involved in the election, knocking on doors, grabbing your friends, saying to your neighbors, 'We can take this city back and put someone in City Hall who can stand up and fight for all of us.'" Hope he at least brought a card.

But if Thompson was potentially a buzzkill to the party mood, he had nothing on NAACP NY President Hazel Dukes. Dukes sounded like he wanted to turn the festivities into a roast when talking about big Democratic Comptroller primary winner John Liu. Dukes said to the crowd, "I see John Liu here - he's been the little Asian boy running around with us a long time [in] the NAACP. But Rev. [Sharpton], he was a good guy, so we said, 'Come on, come on, come on - we can make you what you want to be." Liu was seen laughing at the remark and a spokesman later made it seem like the councilman took it as nothing but poking fun.

NY1 notes that while Sharpton re-upped his ringing endorsement for Thompson, the reverend didn't drop the controller's name anywhere on his invitation, while he mentioned the 18 other officials who would be in attendance.

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By Billy Parker in News on October 4, 2009 5:50 PM

Comments [rss]

thefacts

Hazel Dukes' racism towards whites has been known for decades. Now that she is applying it towards Asians is no surprise.

(Yes, Billy, Hazel is a 'she' not a 'he'.)

Neil Epstein

Why is this not surprising?

rasputinsghost

robble robble robble

MY PROPERTY

vs

the right to refuse people service because they think they are subhuman

robble robble robble

damn you civil rights act of 1964, how dare you enfranchise a historically oppressed minority! noooo my money

Bottomless Chips

Why would you ever want to patronize a business that segregated? Does a federal mandate change the owner's perceptions of blacks?

No and no.

Are you forced to let someone into your house if you don't want them? No. Why should it be any different with a club, store, or restaurant that you own? Those are the special rights I'm referencing that probably engender more bitter racism and hate.

inoyourider

NAACP and the NAN are nothing but racists in disguise.

Look how they treat one of their biggest supporters

"Little Asian boy"

I'll bet if Liu had replied "Thanks little black boy"

the audience wouldn't have been so cool with it.

Bunch of fucking scumbags.

Snoopy

No truer words have been spoken.

msl422004

"little Asian boy?"

NOT okay. Seriously, NOT OKAY. Of all people, the NAACP NY president should know that.

Sigh. Asians get no respect.

-Angry Asian Man

hook546

Its not about Special rights You sound as if you Have your own agenda. As for those clowns that you refer to, if they did not speak up about the injustice that has occured in the city for the past 4 or 5 administrations democrat and republican included, people such as yourself should think twice before posting bigoted comments

Bottomless Chips

I'm the bigoted one? Ever consider that a lot of these community leaders are doing more harm than good? Ever consider that---like all politicians---thing before more about quid pro quos, egos, power, money, and re-election?

I think it's a legitimate concern as they are the de facto leaders for certain cultural and racial groups.

So anytime you get a prime example of an association that supposedly advances people getting into the same jargon that they criticize...I'll point that out 10 times out of 10.

rasputinsghost

hahahah i love trolls

Bottomless Chips

I assume you're replying to me.

My response: Yes, if I don't give the benefit of the doubt to the NAACP and point out their hypocrisy and huge egos, I am a troll. /sarcasm

Mr Mel

Never complain, never explain. It's a waste of breath.

Bottomless Chips

Why should blacks receive special rights and disproportionate taxpayer aid when the community groups that work the public system are as bigoted as the anyone?

These clowns set back the race relations in the '60s with the civil rights act and federal usurping of property rights, and in 2009 they continue to flout a smugness---a smugness that sets back the poor blacks they say they represent while dining on lobster and hobnobbing with the mayor and President.

What would the media reaction be if a white Republican tried to make this good-natured joke?