By Vinette K. Pryce
When “Saturday Night
Live” creator Lorne Michaels
join Hazel Dukes, Chris Rock,
Stacey Adams, Spike Lee and
Terence Blanchard on Nov. 1
they will not be chorusing the
phrase ‘live from New York it’s
Saturday Night.’
For starters the cast to
assemble comprise a musician,
film director, comedian, politician
and not the usual group
of not for prime time television
thespians revered for presenting
irreverent comedy and the
date will be on a Monday not on
the weekend.
Actually, the diverse gathering
will celebrate Rev. Al Sharpton,
his launch of the National
Action Network 30 years ago
and the 67th anniversary of his
birth in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Although the civil rights
advocate was born on Oct. 3 a
decision to combine the milestone
achievements trumped
separate festivities to mark the
belated commemoration.
Billed ‘A Celebration Above
All,’ the celebrity-slated event
will be held at Carnegie Hall
where the acoustics are unrivalled
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and seats will be at a
premium.
The author of five books —
“Rise Up,” “Al On America,”
“Go And Tell Pharoah,” “The
Rejected Stone” and most
recently “Righteous Troublemakers”
Sharpton retraces his
ability to reach broad audiences
to his youth when he preached
sermons at age 12.
Admittedly he championed
causes then and organized
groups.
He attributed his dedication
to being a disciple of Rev.
Martin Luther King Jr and in
his name championed many
causes.
In time he founded NAN, the
Harlem-based, activist organization
renowned for protesting
injustices, police brutality,
feeding the needy, hosting of
political forums, lecture series,
defying racism and confronting
challenging situations here
and abroad.
Often considered controversial,
throughout the years he
has shepherded a flock echoing
a chant “No Justice, No Peace.”
Once his trademark message,
the definitive warning
has been co-opted throughout
the nation and in 2020
was internationally repeated in
demonstrations against numerous
issues.
At the turn of the century,
NAN led by Sharpton tackled
the leadership of General Raoul
Cedras in Haiti while Jean Bertrand
Aristide was forced into
exile.
He traveled to Port-au-
Prince, confronted the leader
at the Palace with demands to
vacate the government.
Similarly, Sharpton faced
off against the US government
demanding an end to bombings
in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
He has been jailed many
times but made political bids
for a seat in the senate, NYC
mayor and president of the
United States.
Sharpton’s reputation has
also been marked by his association
with a myriad of entertainment
icons.
Reverend Al Sharpton speaks to reporters after the sentencing
of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis policeman
found guilty of killing George Floyd, a Black man, in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. June 25, 2021. REUTERS/Eric
Miller/File
From singers Aretha Franklin,
James Brown, Michael Jackson
to rap mogul Sean Combs
and movie director Lee, the
Baptist minister has endeared
the friendships of sports and
entertainment greats.
He eulogized funeral rites
for both Jackson and Brown.
His eulogizes have become a
highlight of nationally broadcasted
services due to his ability
of combining explanations of
the ills of society while pacifying
the pain from loss and grief.
His message was instrumental
at the funerals of George Floyd,
Andrew Brown, Daunte Wright
and numerous victims of police
brutality and racial strife.
NAN @30 Sharpton @67 – Chris
Rock, Spike Lee celebration
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