Al Sharpton Quotes

Powerful Al Sharpton for Daily Growth

About Al Sharpton

Reverend Al Sharpton, born Charles Jeffrey Allen on October 3, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned civil rights activist, Baptist minister, television personality, and political commentator. He rose to prominence in the late 1980s for his activism, particularly in the areas of racial justice and police accountability. Sharpton's early life was marked by tragedy. At age seven, he lost his mother, and by 13, his father abandoned him and his siblings. Despite these challenges, Sharpton found solace in his religious faith, eventually becoming a minister at the age of 19. His political activism began in earnest during the 1960s when he joined the National Youth Movement. In 1971, Sharpton founded the National Youth Movement (NYM) to advocate for young African Americans. The NYM organized several successful protests against discrimination. In 1984, Sharpton co-founded the National Action Network (NAN), a civil rights organization that focuses on issues such as police brutality, economic empowerment, and education reform. Sharpton gained national attention in 1987 with his leadership of the Tawana Brawley case, which involved an African American girl who claimed she had been assaulted by a group of white men, sparking widespread protests. However, the case was later discredited. Despite this setback, Sharpton continued his activism. In recent years, Sharpton has served as a MSNBC political analyst and host of "PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton." He remains a significant figure in American politics, using his platform to advocate for racial justice and equality. His autobiography, "Go and Tell Pharaoh: The Autobiography of Al Sharpton," provides insight into his life and activism.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We will never let anyone divide us by turning us against each other."

This quote by Al Sharpton emphasizes unity and solidarity in the face of attempts to create division among people. He suggests that despite differences, it is crucial not to allow others to exploit these differences for their own gain or to sow discord and hatred. Instead, we should strive to unite and work together to overcome adversity. Essentially, he advocates for understanding, empathy, and mutual respect among people, thereby fostering a stronger and more harmonious society.


"The power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."

This quote underscores the importance of assertive action in achieving one's goals, especially when faced with powerful opposition. In other words, to gain power or rights, one must demand them persistently, as power never relinquishes anything voluntarily. It emphasizes that passivity will not bring about change and encourages proactive resistance and demand for equal rights.


"We can't afford to wait until there is a crisis or a fire before we act."

Al Sharpton's quote emphasizes the importance of proactive action, rather than reactive responses. It suggests that addressing issues before they escalate into crises or disasters is more beneficial and cost-effective in the long run. This could apply to a wide range of contexts, from social justice and policy-making to personal life management and disaster preparedness. A proactive approach not only saves resources but also helps prevent unnecessary suffering and damage.


"Justice is what love looks like in public."

Al Sharpton's quote, "Justice is what love looks like in public," suggests that genuine concern for others (love) becomes actualized in the pursuit of justice. In other words, the public demonstration of compassion and fairness towards all members of society is a manifestation of love. This quote encourages us to translate our private empathy into active participation in ensuring equitable treatment for everyone, transforming love into tangible acts of justice.


"If you want to understand the heart of a nation, look to its compassion."

Al Sharpton's quote suggests that the true nature or character of a nation can be best understood by examining its compassion, empathy, and care for its people and the less fortunate. Compassion is a reflection of a society's values, priorities, and moral principles, which help define its essence as a collective entity. A compassionate nation is one that prioritizes justice, equality, and kindness, and seeks to uplift and support its citizens in times of need. This quote highlights the importance of understanding a nation not only through its political or economic systems but also by evaluating its capacity for empathy and care, as these qualities shape the social fabric of a society and ultimately determine its overall character and progress.


There's no reason why children in inner cities or rural areas do not receive the same quality education or opportunities as those in suburbs or wealthy neighborhoods. If we truly believe in giving all citizens a chance to pursue happiness and pursue their goals, then we cannot continue to marginalize entire groups of people.

- Al Sharpton

Education, Reason, Suburbs, Cities

The horrific cases in Ferguson, in Staten Island with the death of Eric Garner, and all across the country serve as stark reminders that we must have a say in who polices us, and how that policing is done. We must, we must, let our voices be heard on Election Day.

- Al Sharpton

Country, Reminders, Policing, Cases

We're not willing to give black leaders second chances because, in most cases, we're not willing to give them first chances.

- Al Sharpton

Give, Second Chances, Cases

I could have easily been a statistic. Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., it was easy - a little too easy - to get into trouble. Surrounded by poor schools, lack of resources, high unemployment rates, poverty, gangs and more, I watched as many of my peers fell victim to a vicious cycle of diminished opportunities and imprisonment.

- Al Sharpton

Surrounded, Been, Peers

Either we need to redefine what probable cause means and say that police are not subject to it, or we arrest officers right away just as we would with any other person accused of committing a crime. Either we write new laws or enforce existing ones; we cannot have it both ways.

- Al Sharpton

Other, Away, We Cannot, Arrest

You don't need any indictment in order to arrest someone; probable cause is sufficient to arrest civilians, so it must be enough to arrest police.

- Al Sharpton

Need, Indictment, Probable, Arrest

The resignation of Attorney General Eric Holder is met with both pride and disappointment by the Civil Rights community. We are proud that he has been the best Attorney General on Civil Rights in U.S. history and disappointed because he leaves at a critical time when we need his continued diligence most.

- Al Sharpton

Best, Been, Critical, Resignation

I could take all the cartoons in the tabloid newspapers, but I couldn't take my daughter punching me in the belly and asking why I was so fat. That was my inspiration to lose the weight. And probably the last time anyone hurt my feelings.

- Al Sharpton

Asking, Belly, Tabloid, Cartoons

In 1999, I was in St. Louis with Martin Luther King III as we led protests against the state's failure to hire minority contractors for highway construction projects. We went at dawn on a summer day with over a thousand people and performed acts of civil disobedience.

- Al Sharpton

Hire, Civil Disobedience, III

We have defeated Jim Crow, but now we have to deal with his son, James Crow Jr., esquire.

- Al Sharpton

Son, Deal, His, Jim

I was the first candidate to come out against this war, spoke at every anti-war march.

- Al Sharpton

Against, Spoke, Candidate, Anti-War

I've seen enough things to know that if you just keep on going, if you turn the corner, the sun will be shining.

- Al Sharpton

Enough, Will, Going, Shining

I do believe the Democratic party has moved far to the right. I do believe that the party has a bunch of elephants running around in donkey clothes.

- Al Sharpton

Democratic Party, Moved, Elephants

My message to everyone: the next time you hear about migrant children near the border, just picture them as your own. Then think what you would want our government to do.

- Al Sharpton

Think, Next, Border, Next Time

In Staten Island, when you have video showing the alleged chokehold used on Eric Garner, why not go to trial and have the officer(s) explain the tape, and then this jury can determine guilt or innocence? The tape should guarantee that there should be a trial.

- Al Sharpton

Innocence, Why, Explain, Alleged

The United States has got to adopt a policy of befriending and creating allies around the world.

- Al Sharpton

World, United, United States, Allies

As a preacher who has spent significant time in churches and houses of worship all across the country, I can tell you firsthand that religious liberty and freedom are principles that can never be infringed upon.

- Al Sharpton

Country, Tell, Religious, Churches

If companies can refuse to provide coverage for women, what other objections to the Affordable Care Act will we see based on 'religious grounds'? For that matter, will 'religious freedom' be used as an excuse to discriminate against other minorities and disenfranchised groups across the board? Where will it end?

- Al Sharpton

Other, Minorities, Religious, Disenfranchised

From racial profiling and being pulled over just for 'driving while black' to this new phenomenon of killing unarmed people out of some preconceived idea of fear, our lives and our children's lives are not being valued.

- Al Sharpton

Some, Idea, Phenomenon, Preconceived

When the culture of police departments is sometimes infused with bias or preconceived ideas against certain groups, there needs to be reform and retraining throughout. And unfortunately, we cannot rely on local departments to police themselves; we need intervention from the top.

- Al Sharpton

Against, Local, We Cannot, Preconceived

I knew from the age of four that I wanted to preach. I didn't even consider it strange that grown people were listening to this kid preaching until I was around thirteen. I have never believed in limitations.

- Al Sharpton

Listening, Kid, Knew, Thirteen

Dr. King used Gandhi's commitment to non-violence and to passive resistance.

- Al Sharpton

King, Non-Violence, Used, Passive

When we look at the situation in Ferguson, Missouri and the tragic death of Michael Brown, we are reminded of the importance of who we elect to our city councils, who sits on our local board of education committees, who we pick to represent us in Congress, in the Senate and more.

- Al Sharpton

Education, Death, City, Committees

Demonstrations must be dignified and nonviolent, as the overwhelming protests in Ferguson and Staten Island have been. Do not confuse anarchists who don't want the system to work and thugs who want to exploit a situation with the majority who from day one have operated with impeccable nonviolence and clear goals.

- Al Sharpton

Been, Day One, Ferguson, Protests

Civilians are arrested every single day - including innocent ones - and they must wait until their day in court in order to argue their side of the story. Police officers must be subjected to the same rules.

- Al Sharpton

Police Officers, Arrested, Every Single Day

We cannot reform institutional racism or systemic policies if we are not actively engaged. It's not enough to simply complain about injustice; the only way to prevent future injustice is to create the society we would like to see, one where we are all equal under the law.

- Al Sharpton

Injustice, Engaged, Systemic, Actively

Countries around the world have their own immigration laws and methods of dealing with a recurring theme: desperate people searching for peace from volatile parts of the world. And nations everywhere thrive and prosper from the contributions of immigrants and the children of immigrants - including right here in the U.S.

- Al Sharpton

Here, Desperate, Methods, Recurring

In Ferguson, there are witnesses who say Brown had his hands up when he was shot. That should be enough probable cause to go to trial to then determine if Officer Wilson is guilty or not. It is at trial that he can then defend himself and his attorneys can present their own witnesses and their own defense.

- Al Sharpton

Hands, Own, Officer, Attorneys

My ministry's always been one of social activism. I think a responsible minister must be at some levels involved in the social order.

- Al Sharpton

Think, Some, Always, Social Order

Throughout my years championing for civil rights, analyzing politics and advocating on behalf of the voiceless, I am disturbed the most when harmless children suffer because of politics or detrimental policies.

- Al Sharpton

Politics, Advocating, Championing

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