In a recent episode of "The Reid Out" on MSNBC, host Al Sharpton expressed his disapproval of President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance's decision to invite Marine veteran Daniel Penny to their box at the Army-Navy football game.
Sharpton criticized the move as a blatant disregard for the African American community, suggesting that the administration perceives them as "animals."
According to Breitbart, Sharpton was particularly incensed by the administration's apparent endorsement of Penny, who was involved in a controversial incident where he allegedly choked an unarmed man with mental health issues. Sharpton stated, It is amazing to me that you would have someone that choked to death an unarmed man who had mental problems and act as though hes some kind of hero. The clear message is that you are now giving legitimacy to vigilantism, and it could make others feel that they can take the law into their own hand.
Sharpton further criticized the administration for turning Penny into a political figure, despite the man's actions. He argued that the administration's actions could be interpreted as a tacit endorsement of violence. Sharpton said, The jury spoke, you have to accept the verdict of the jury but to make a folk hero or a political star out of someone that killed an unarmed man, who didnt physically assault anybody, who didnt threaten anybody, he was acting unruly. He might have been something that made people uncomfortable but to kill him and then to honor this person that did this choke hold, that caused the death and bring him to the President-elects box at the Army-Navy game, a president that was president when George Floyd happened, Breonna Taylor happened, Ahmaud Arbery, happened he never said a word of comfort to the families of the victims there."
Sharpton also questioned Trump's racial sensitivity, suggesting that the President-elect was sending a racially charged message with his actions. He asked, If the race was the other way around, would the reaction be the same? I think Donald Trump is clearly sending a racial signal here. I think a lot of those that have fell in line are comfortable with that. Thats frightening.
Sharpton further criticized Trump for his treatment of a homeless black man and JD Vance for his derogatory comments about black Haitians. He said, You have to ask yourself, is that not a purposeful signal? This is the same Donald Trump that claimed black men were going to vote for him but look at what he did to a homeless black man, what Penny did to a homeless black man with mental problems. He added, Lets not forget JD Vance accused black Haitians of eating the pets of people in the city in Ohio when he was a senator so he sees us as animals and he sees us as less than human.
Sharpton's comments underscore the ongoing debate about racial sensitivity and the role of the administration in setting the tone for the nation's discourse on race. His remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of treating every citizen with respect and dignity, regardless of their race or mental health status.
Login