Al Sharpton Turns 60: From Flamethrower to Power Broker

Category: Al Sharpton

The Rev. Al Sharpton turns 60 this week, reaching a milestone in both his professional and personal life. Once known primarily as a polarizing civil rights leader, Sharpton is at the height of his influence, advising some of the most powerful leaders in the nation President Barack Obama and Mayor Bill de Blasio and bolstering his position as thego-to voice for African American community leadership.

Peniel Joseph, professor of History at Tufts University and the author of several books about the civil rights movement, said Sharpton continues to be a catalyst for action.

"Hes transformed the discourse, because 20years ago, we weren't talking about putting cameras on every single cop, where as now we got a mayor and police brass who are willing to talk to somebody like Al Shapton about ways that police-community relations can be better in a matter that they wouldn't have in a previous historical context," Joseph said.

He spoke to WNYC's Amy Eddings about Sharpton's career evolution.

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Al Sharpton Turns 60: From Flamethrower to Power Broker

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October 2nd, 2014
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