Barack Obama is learning the hard way that in this day of identity politics it is nearly impossible to be the “great uniter”. His association with Reverend ‘God Damn America’ Wright has drawn criticism from white America for Wright’s racially divisive remarks, and it seems now Obama is even drawing criticism from Al Sharpton who many thought would be Obama’s greatest ally. Sharpton’s criticism does not stem from Obama’s attempt to woo white voters however, it was Obamas recent call for non violence which upset the good Reverend.

Barack Obama made a call for nonviolence in the aftermath of the Sean Bell verdict - infuriating the Rev. Al Sharpton, who accused the presidential candidate of trying to “grandstand in front of white people,” sources told The Post.

During what a source described as a “heated” phone call yesterday, Sharpton told Obama he was disappointed with the Illinois senator’s words on Friday, when Obama said “resorting to violence to express displeasure” was “completely unacceptable and counterproductive.”

“[Obama] issues this statement and not a single rock had been thrown,” said a source. “How does the candidate of change ask people to accept a verdict that is unjust?”

The source said Sharpton had hoped Obama would “side with the Bell family” and not use it as an “opportunity to grandstand in front of white people.”

So it has now become unacceptable and counterproductive to publicly state that you do not wish to see a riot in New York City following a not guilty verdict? Sharptons criticism stems from the fact that there had been no violence prior to Obama’s statement, indicating that Sharpton himself would not ask his followers not to resort to violence, unless the violence had already occurred. Message to Al, if you wish to be considered a leader, your followers are supposed to hear your message before they act, not afterwards. That is what leading is all about, being proactive as opposed to reactive.

Ironically Sharpton believes that Obama’s pleas for non violence were uncalled for yet at his own rally his supporters chanted “Kill the police” with no condemnation from Sharpton. In the meantime Sharpton has plans to close down the city for a day, promising “This city is going to deal with the blood of Sean Bell.”

I look forward to the day when the city can deal with the end of Al Sharptons relevance.

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Barack Obama, Election 2008, Features, Racism