Al Sharpton vs. Cornel West (Clash of the Black Agenda)

Al Sharpton vs. Cornel West (Clash of the Black Agenda)

In the course of Black Life there have been epic beefs:

Jay-Z

Vs Nas

Biggie

vs Tupac

El- Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X)

vs Martin Luther King Jr.

)

Nicki Minaj

vs Lil’ Kim

NYC Breakerz vs Rock Steady Crew

and

West vs Sharpton?

No not the Kanye West, although it would be interesting to have Sharpton’s and Yeezy’s egos go at it blow for blow. The feud I’m referring to is none other than Cornel West vs Al Sharpton. The two got into it the other day on a show, moderated ironically by a white man, called the “Black Agenda.” Brother Al and Prof. West were on the show to talk about the economic situation of black folk and inevitably the conversation turned to the President and his role or lack thereof in the uplift of people that share his skin color. The arguments on both sides are pretty solid with Sharpton playing Obama’s defense attorney and West playing lead prosecutor in the court of “WTF have you been doing to take care of your own” court. Lets go to the tale of the tape: (pardon my formatting but, it's well worth whatever style-points are deducted...)

	Rev. Al “Be sure to protect my Pres.” Sharpton	Prof. Cornel “Imma let you finish Sharpton, but Obama ain't nothin but a B-ish” West
Hairstyles	Fried, dyed with grey on the side	I let my soul blow from my Afro...
Style icon	James Brown	Albert Einstein/Huey Newton/ Karl Lagerfield
Public Speaking	Old school tried and true Reverential speechifying	Mix between performance poetry and Academic lecture
Published Works	2 and a possible	19 books and 2 albums
Political Aspirations	NY State Senate, US Senate, NYC Mayor, US Presidential campaign	I'd rather critique them than be 'em .
Education	Da Street! Ordained minster by age 9. Went to college for a hot minute. Managed James Brown. Worked with Jesse Jackson in Dr. King's Operation Breadbasket.	BA Harvard, MA & PhD Princeton
Good Point in Debate	Obama can’t do this shit by himself	Obama should be held accountable by black folks especially given the shit his opponents are throwing his way. Gotta keep ‘em honest!
Memorable Quotes	“George Bush giving tax cuts is like Jim Jones giving Kool-Aid. It tastes good but it’ll kill you.”	What does it really mean to be human? What does it really mean to be featherless two-legged linguistically conscious creatures Born between urine and feces Whose bodies will soon be the culinary delight of terrestrial worms, my brother?a>
Claim to fame	Can put together a race rally faster than Busy Bone can spit a verse	Can speak on almost any damn topic
Stance on Obama	Obama is my homeboy	I’m weary of any politician

Personally, I don't think Sharpton wants it with West in a straight out academic debate, but on cable TV? Anything goes, even your foes.