What Took You So Long?

Here's a head scratcher - Al Sharpton, known liar, race baiter and so-called poverty-pimp by former US Congressman J.C. Watts, is now starting to sound like the courageous Bill Cosby in his comments regarding black youths. I must say I am a little shocked to hear him say anything other than that blacks' problems are created by whites, but he makes a strong case for black youths to turn from "gangsterism."

"We have got to get out of this gangster mentality, acting as if gangsterism and blackness are synonymous," Sharpton said Thursday at the annual conference of the National Association of Black Journalists.

"I think we've allowed a whole generation of young people to feel that if they're focused, they're not black enough. If they speak well and act well, they're acting white, and there's nothing more racist than that."

He went on to descrine how youths should long for and seek leadership roles in their lives and neighborhoods. Good messages.

I am glad he is saying this publicy, and I applaud him for his statements. Yet I must also ask, "What took you so long, Al? Why haven't you been out there vocally defending Bill Cosby as he's received criticism for saying the same thing over the last few years?"

But it's at least a start I guess.