I've been spending the last few days in New York at the
National Action Network National Convention, hosted by
Rev. Al Sharpton. I was impressed and amazed by the wide and strong array of guests that Sharpton has pulled together for the event. He is just the right leader to engage in such an endeavor at this time, and I personally told him that I was surprised and impressed that he pulled it off so well.
One guest I could have done without, however, was
Bill O'Reilly. Not that I am angry with O'Reilly for his
efforts to have me fired from Syracuse two years ago, it's just that I am not sure if he has a purpose in this venue. But then again, O'Reilly's presence certainly makes for interesting theater. Also, I've never disliked O'Reilly as much as some thought I should. He is a great host for FOX News, and there are reasons that he earns tens of millions of dollars per year. He knows how to rile people up and get his enemies to notice him.
While I have found forgiveness for O'Reilly, the strong members of the National Action Network have not. O'Reilly came in to the convention and received polite applause after being introduced by Rev. Sharpton. One thing that O'Reilly could have done to keep the peace is simply keep his mouth shut. Instead, he actually decided to speak, which is just a very bad thing for him in general.
O'Reilly went in to a diatribe about how race was left behind after 9/11 and his same old O'Reilly antics of discounting the struggle for civil rights in America. I am not sure if O'Reilly was simply being candid or trying to deliberately anger the audience. Either way, they weren't going for it. He was booed by those in attendance, and the appearance didn't seem to go over very well at all. The audience with the National Action Network is not the kind of group that will quietly sit and allow you to disrespect them. They will bite your head off if they are unhappy.
Beyond the presence of Bill O'Reilly, the conference has been outstanding. If you have not thought about attending in the past, I recommend coming by in the future.
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Comments: (18)
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By: Terry Miller on 4/16/2010 11:19AM
You mean the al Sharpton anti white convention? What a piece of crap racist.
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By: William Watkins on 4/16/2010 1:59PM
Terry,
Black people cannot be racist. We can only be called reactive.
O'Reilly's assumption that race was left behind after 9/11 is totally interesting to me; some folks can simply put it behind them because they walk out of their doors everyday not having to be identified by race.
One of the last frontiers with regard to racism seems to be this notion that both races can or should put everything behind and leave it in the past. It is not that simple. Until white folks self-monitor their thoughts minute by minute, carry in their minds how their ancestors created the disease of racism, and pursue their daily activities with this in mind while consciously carrying empathy in their hearts toward black folks, then whites carrying on in casual life and conversation will always carry arrogance, entitlement, and the afterglow of racism. To white folks that may seem like an awful lot to ask to ease the effects of racism; but quite frankly, us black folks have to continuously remind ourselves to forgive whites not only for the past, but for the present and future. After all of that, we bring ourselves to like white folks, care about white folks, and with God's love - even love white folks. We have to work at it, and it is exhausting. Why shouldn't white folks put the same effort into loving us? Perhaps it is because whites would feel like it is submitting. Well, to that I would say welcome to the club. When black folks submit to the often times corrupt will of white folks, we still get treated badly. What black people have to think about, cope with, and carry upon their souls on a daily basis is absolutely mind blowing when one compares their lot to those who have the luxury to think that everything is better and ok.
Ask yourself: Why did this convention invite Bill O'Reilly to their gathering?
The answer is: because the convention IS NOT anti white.
Those people are not just good black people, they are good people period. Fighting for true equality and the rights of the poor and all people within society is a good thing.
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By: huge_bullbone on 4/19/2010 2:44PM
Terry Millner, you [and all of us] should pay very close attention to the reply which was made by William Watkins to your comment. I am educated past graduate school, have read thousands of books, and have live in America since my birth in 1944 -- a very long time to some but not long enough to others. Nevertheless, having said that, I believe Mr. Watkins' insightfulness is well worth placing on the bathroom mirror AND the refrigerator as a reference document for daily living and enlightenment when it comes to this "issue" of race relationship. It is absolutely brilliantly worded. Cudos to him.
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By: tanisha on 4/21/2010 12:08PM
To William Wakins - black people can't be racist?? Really?? Just read some of the posts on this blog. I am of mixed heritage, what it is doesn't matter, but I have been exposed to black racism time and again, and my skin is more black than white. It's time to get over all of this "talk" and do something to take care of ourselves and not depend on Obama or the government to do it. We must depend on ourselves. I have found caucasions to be more accepting of me than people of color.
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By: nancybaby on 4/16/2010 2:19PM
Has Terry Miller ever attended The Action Network Convention? Why would OReilly attend an anti white convention? You don't process reality well.
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By: judy on 4/16/2010 2:07PM
What is it with the Rev. and Bill O'Reilly? Did'nt he invite this louse to a black owned restaurant in Harlem? It is as thought he is trying to prove something to this man. My question is "why?"
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By: sammy on 4/22/2010 3:14AM
Would someone please explain to me why Sharpton appeared on the Glen Beck show?
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By: MaryGJ on 4/19/2010 1:30PM
Because he is "keeping his friends close and his enemies CLOSER" hellooooooooooo. Since when did we shun white folks like they do us?
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By: GERI on 4/16/2010 2:32PM
He should have been stoned...lol...just kidding....but had it been Rev. Sharpton at one of their Racist Rabble Rouser Rallies he would have been...OReilly and all those like him live in a fantasy world where everyone is rich,white and male...and no one else matters!
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By: Theresa Nona on 4/16/2010 7:31PM
Icould not carewhat her opinion is. We talk about Black male unemployment yet these so called genius always take there conferences to thewhitest place. I am a lehman College where the facilitie is are great and the food is also. We know we can hire Black male and the food or rental for facilities is cheap. Also local community activitist and students can attend and get O/Reilly to pay for 20 young people's cost.
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