REV. AL SHARPTON Tribune Photo Abdul R. Sulayman
by Marco Cerino, Philadelphia Tribune Staff Writer
At a multi-faith prayer breakfast Friday morning, the Rev. Al Sharpton accused some successful members in the Black community of having “Negro amnesia” for not contributing more to racial progress and eschewing the work of forbearers.
Sharpton was the keynote speaker for the inaugural Interfaith Prayer Breakfast hosted by City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, D-2nd District, where elected, faith and other community leaders filled the Crystal Tea Room in Center City to hear from the civil rights icon.
Sharpton challenged those who attempt to explain their success without acknowledging those who struggled before to allow them their opportunities. He said he believes those who have achieved owe it to the future and the less fortunate to help others advance.
“We got a generation that doesn’t want to be tested,” Sharpton said, referencing the previous generations that saw interfaith alliances work toward civil rights for Blacks and other marginalized communities. “If we’re going to turn this country around, we’re going to have to come back together.”
Sharpton made comments critical of people who believe religion exists for personal gain, decrying those who preach a “lotto gospel.” He also called out those who have invited him to speak at congregations and ask he avoid discussing politics and civil rights, before listing the Bible’s books that tell stories of power struggles and overcoming oppression.
Sharpton mentioned two of his faith mentors. He said he saw the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who is battling Parkinson’s disease, Thursday. Sharpton also mentioned Philadelphia’s late Rev. Leon Sullivan and his involvement with the civil rights movement. Sharpton plans to continue that legacy on Aug. 28, marking the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington by leading a march on Wall Street in New York City.
He has been critical of companies who have abandoned diversity, equity, and inclusion due to pressure from President Donald Trump. Sharpton reminded those gathered that Trump was in charge in 2020 when DEI was the response to the George Floyd shooting and the president wasn’t as critical of these initiatives then.
“If you don’t have diversity in the C-suite, if you don’t have diversity in your boards, if you don’t have diversity in employment, then you shouldn’t have diversity with your consumers,” Sharpton said. “We’re not begging — we’re paying for the right to get what everybody else gets.”
The breakfast featured prayers from Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy. The Rev. Alyn E. Waller, senior pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church and Desiree “Dezzie” Neal sang as well.
Mayor Cherelle Parker spoke briefly, thanking Johnson for putting together the event. She referenced “three tools” Black civil rights leaders utilized to advance progress: nonviolent protests, court cases, and voting.
“I’m proud to be here because you were one of my teachers, one of our teachers,” Parker said to Sharpton. “You were out front before it was a popular thing to do, before it became a sexy thing to do.”
The nonpartisan event sold out 600 tickets and had 15 listed sponsors. Organizers said the sponsors furnished everything and no city money was used. After the breakfast, Johnson said he was pleased with the turnout and community engagement and plans to host one next year.
“I think today went awesome,” he said. “We have the opportunity to come to (Center) City, all faiths, and united, work together to bring the city of Philadelphia forward. I believe it was a big turnout. Most importantly I was able to get the experience of all of our faith leaders here in the city of Philadelphia, as well as our elected leaders.”
mcerino@phillytrib.com 215-893-5782