VERDAD

Many people argue that there is a difference between the Al Sharpton in the 1980s, who represented the Tawana Brawley case, and the Al Sharpton of today, who advocated for Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. In many eyes, Al Sharpton is doing a lot of good work that helps with civil rights in the black community in his own way. For instance, he represents those, like Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin, who do not have a voice (Johnson para. 3). This is seen through his organization National Action Network. The National Action Network works in the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for justice, decency, and equal opportunity ("National Action Network" para. 1). One of Al Sharpton’s arguments is that "the right to equal justice under the law should not be conditional or based upon a person’s color or economic status" ("Initiatives" para. 1). This displays Sharpton’s agenda that includes bettering the black community, in this case specifically through the justice system. In other words, Sharpton’s agenda does, in fact, benefit African-Americans.