It is wrong to use the term of resentment or offer any kind of explanation to the recent ‘Knockout’ attacks in Brooklyn, Rev. Al Sharpton said following Councilwoman-elect Laurie Cumbo’s comments last week.
In an open letter on her Facebook page, Ms. Cumbo suggests that the recent ‘Knockout’ attacks in Brooklyn were caused by resentment of Jewish success, specially acutely by young African Americans and Caribbean Americans in the city.
But Rev. Al Sharpton condemned that accusation in the strongest terms.
“As a leader of this community, let me clear: It is no more acceptable for a young black man to assault a person because of the clothes they wear or the group they belong to than it would be for white people to physically assault black people in Brooklyn or anywhere else because of the color of their skin,” Rev. Sharpton writes in a lengthy Op-Ed for Tablet Magazine.
“Some have speculated that the perpetrators are African American—and that this could somehow be a symptom of deeply-held anti-Semitism on the part of the black community. In my opinion, nothing could be farther from the truth,” he added. “If it turns out the perpetrators are African American, the cause will be the immorality of these individuals, not anything systemic in our community.”
The attacks, which he called ‘horrific and inexcusable’ must be pushed back by all communities, Sharpton writes. “Whenever a group of people who have been historically singled out and attacked feel threatened and seem to be the predominant target of hatred once again, we cannot simply brush it off. Nobody should ever live in a society where they fear walking in their own neighborhood or where they are hesitant to proudly practice their faith.”
Sharpton concludes, “It’s very easy for people to ignore things or close their eyes to a harsh reality when it doesn’t affect them personally. But when one group is the apparent primary target of attacks, each and every one of us must intervene somehow. Remaining silent can never be an option; that is the only way we as a society will continue advancing.”
(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)
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2 Responses
The fat mamzer sharpton says “some have speculated that the perps are african american.” I think we all know who’s doing this–its not speculation. I find it ironic that the perpetrator of two of the larger incidents undeniably fueled by anti semitism–the crown heights riots and freddy’s fashion fiasco, would be the one to deny the existence of anti semitism.
I guess the Reverend Al doesn’t want to end up like Martin Bashar or Alec Baldwin at MSNBC and finds it in his best interest to be Mr. Diversity. He was singing a different tune when he lied and ruined a man’s life in the Tawana Brawley fiasco and his famous “diamond merchants” remarks in the midst of the Crown Heights pogrom.