Racial Parody Provokes RNC Controversy

Staff / Truthdig Dec 28, 2008 The inclusion of a racially charged satirical song about President-elect Barack Obama in a holiday-themed CD compiled by one Chip Saltsman, former Mike Huckabee aide and current candidate for Republican National Committee chair, has drawn sharp criticism from within GOP ranks. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Acquittal in Wedding Day Shooting Sparks NYC Protests

Staff / Truthdig Apr 27, 2008 Vowing that "this city is going to deal with the blood of Sean Bell," the Rev. Al Sharpton joined hundreds of New Yorkers in a march through Harlem to protest this week's acquittal of three police officers involved in the 2006 shooting that claimed the 23-year-old Bell's life and injured two friends on his wedding day. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Return of Don Imus

Staff / Truthdig Nov 2, 2007 After a nine-month hiatus from the American airwaves, professional provocateur Don Imus has signed on with New York's WABC-AM. Although the station's president says he's "thrilled" to bring Imus' "unique brand of humor" and "knowledge of the issues" to WABC, others are less than pleased about the shock jock's comeback. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Court Voids 10-Year Sentence in Teen Sex Case

Staff / Truthdig Oct 27, 2007 In a 4-3 decision, Georgia's Supreme Court ordered the release of 21-year-old Genarlow Wilson, whose case drew national attention after he was sentenced to 10 years for engaging in oral sex with a consenting 15-year-old girl when he was a 17-year-old high school student. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Al Sharpton Joins Forces With Wal-Mart CEO

Staff / Truthdig Jul 25, 2007 Civil rights leader Al Sharpton and Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott have found common ground on the issue of immigration reform. Appearing at the annual conference of the Hispanic organization La Raza, the unlikely cohorts gave speeches demanding a revival of the immigration debate. Sharpton raised the specter of racism and criticized presidential candidates who, he said, wink at voters of color and then often fail to deliver. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Damage-Control Time for Sharpton

Staff / Truthdig May 10, 2007 For someone who works the media as frequently and avidly as he does, and for someone who does so largely to address issues of discrimination, the Rev. Al Sharpton wouldn't be expected to be accused of bigotry on the grounds that he denigrated presidential candidate Mitt Romney's religion. But that's what happened after a debate Tuesday in New York. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Sharpton Primary

Staff / Truthdig Apr 19, 2007 Democratic presidential candidates are falling all over themselves to secure the support of Al Sharpton, whose own 2004 campaign and his role in the recent Don Imus controversy have elevated his profile as a national civil rights leader. John Edwards, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will all attend the reverend's annual National Action Network convention this week. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Imus Distraction

James Harris / Truthdig Apr 17, 2007 Truthdig's resident analyst of racial politics argues that the firing of Don Imus will not alleviate the more pressing problems plaguing the black community. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Genealogists Uncover Al Sharpton-Strom Thurmond Connection

Staff / Truthdig Feb 26, 2007 The Rev. Al Sharpton is descended from a slave once owned by Strom Thurmond's family, according to genealogists working on behalf of The New York Daily News. Sharpton called the revelation "probably the most shocking thing in my life." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )