Politics
Al Sharpton Gets Tragic News
Reverend Al Sharpton, the outspoken civil rights leader and political commentator, has announced the loss of his father, Al Sharpton Sr. In a personal message posted on social media, Sharpton revealed the complicated relationship he had with his father, one marked by years of estrangement but ultimately reconciliation.
Sharpton wrote, “I’m deeply saddened to announce the passing of my father, Al Sharpton, Sr. Our relationship was complicated, but he was still my father.” He went on to describe how, over the last 18 years, they had worked through past grievances, stemming from feelings of abandonment and neglect. Despite their troubled history, Sharpton said that their renewed relationship had become meaningful and valuable.
Al Sharpton Sr., who was born in Jim Crow-era Florida, later moved to New York City, where he found success as an entrepreneur. Sharpton acknowledged his father’s strengths, noting that he had instilled a sense of “independence and self-pride” in his children, despite his personal failings. In his tribute, Sharpton admitted that both he and his father made mistakes but expressed hope that his father would rest in peace.
I’m deeply saddened to announce the passing of my father, Al Sharpton, Sr. Our relationship was complicated, but he was still my father. Over the past 18 years, I was able to work through my pain and feelings of abandonment, and we built a relationship that meant a lot to me.… pic.twitter.com/zQSq3XAECv
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) September 21, 2024
The loss comes at a time when Sharpton continues to play a visible role in American public life. His work, frequently polarizing, has made him a central figure in national debates on race, social justice, and police reform. Rev. Sharpton has faced significant criticism throughout his career for his activism and media presence. As Sharpton put it, “I’ve learned from my own mistakes and from his.” Sharpton’s followers were quick to offer condolences.
“I wake up one morning, he’s gone. And not only is he gone, my oldest sister from my mother’s first marriage,” Sharpton told Oprah about his father during a 2013 interview. “Left with him and they had a child. And then they came and took my sister to live with them.”
Sharpton recently paid tribute to his father on Father’s Day this year. “Happy Father’s Day to my natural father, Al Sharpton Sr. Though he left when I was 10 years old, we reconciled many years later. I’ve learned from his wisdom and tenacity,” he wrote.
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Despite his father’s shortcomings, Sharpton went on to become a prominent Baptist minister and media personality who has been a central figure in American politics and social justice movements for decades. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1954, Sharpton first rose to prominence in the 1980s, advocating for African American rights. His activism has often sparked controversy as he’s been involved in high-profile cases such as the Tawana Brawley case and the protests following the deaths of Eric Garner and George Floyd.
He also hosts the television show “PoliticsNation” on MSNBC, where he discusses current events, race relations, and political topics.
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