For Al Sharpton, it’s all about color. Not reality, just color.
Al Sharpton commented on his show this week that there are no black people on the board of Apple, and that 30 percent of the largest corporations in America have no black people on their boards. He and the guest on his show went on to state that these corporations also fail to have blacks in positions of authority or management.
Really? What study was this based on? Where do they get their numbers?
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked us not to judge someone by the color of his skin but by the content of his character and abilities. I have many black friends, and they all would rather be valued for their character and ability than their skin color. And, as a reminder to Mr. Sharpton: You’ve stated many times that we need to become colorblind.
He said major corporations do not advertise in black areas. Where is he talking about? Detroit, South Central Los Angeles, Harlem – areas where most people can’t pay rent, yet he wants corporations to advertise a $600 iPad?
High-density black populations live in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston. Last I heard, there were all kinds of ads including those for Apple, Microsoft, IBM and others in those cities.
Wake up, Al. You only advertise where you get a return on your dollar, not a flushing sound as you hear your stockholders’ money being wasted.
Al, when you continue to call out color in almost everything you speak of, isn’t that the opposite of what you ask us to do? Maybe applications for employment, school, and directorships on boards shouldn’t ask for color or ethnicity? Maybe it should just be a number, not a name. How do we really have equality unless we are colorblind, for real?
Blacks hold many positions of prominence and authority; so do Asians, Hispanics and white Americans, from all backgrounds, who excel when they are honest and work hard.
Mr. Sharpton, the real color issue here is the “green.” Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Wal-Mart and every other corporation only cares about the green. The stockholders care only about the green – not the black, not the white, but the green.
You see, Mr. Sharpton, Apple’s charter is to make money, not change the world with its products. They might have a great byproduct, but it won’t keep the doors open if they lose money. They have to make a profit. Green, gold and silver will do nicely.
When corporations select board members, they choose them because of what they can add to the bottom line, through their skill set, connections, and donations. Color has no bearing.
Look at sports, two in particular. Call me a racist if you wish, but you can draw your own conclusions. Hockey is predominately white. Basketball is predominantly black. Where is your outrage? Do you think owners of basketball teams look for black players? Do they single them out because there is a stereotype that blacks are better at basketball than whites and others?
How about hockey team owners? Do they go after whites because hockey is a cold sport and all of the cold continents are predominately populated by white people, and white players are the way to go?
To paraphrase one of your friends: “That’s a bunch of malarkey.”
Professional sports teams chose players on ability because it brings in tons of “green” – money. Imagine that. It’s about the money.
Corporations have a responsibility. Go look that up. It might be a new word for you, Mr. Sharpton. They have a responsibility to make profits for their stockholders, first and foremost. Not to make a better world, not to feed the poor, save lives or whatever. I know it sounds cold, but money is a cold business. If those things happen as a result of a profitable business, that’s great. But the bottom-line goal is profit.
If a person who happens to be black can do a better job than the white or Asian or Hispanic person and can add to the profits, great. If the Asian person can do better, that’s fine, too. Whoever is most qualified for the position should be in the position. Can you get that, Al?
Mr. Sharpton, you should understand the money aspect. Your favorite color seems to be “green,” because you seem to chase it anywhere it can be found.
Stop spreading the hate against color. Help your “people” (his words, not mine) get a real education and real jobs so they can make the green just as you and other Americans do.
Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also the current president of the Hart School Board. His commentary normally publishes Mondays.
For Al, It's All About Color | Commentary by Joe Messina
