The good Reverend Al Sharpton, who I think is usually off his rocker, had some comments about Paris Hilton’s early release from jail that I firmly agree with.

“Though I have nothing but empathy for Ms. Hilton whom I have met and appeared with on Saturday Night Live the night I hosted in 2003, this early release gives all of the appearances of economic and racial favoritism that is constantly cited by poor people and people of color. There are any number of cases of people who handle being incarcerated badly and even have health conditions that are not released.

I have served several sentences for civil rights and civil disobedience actions and I even fasted which caused health concerns to prison authorities who paid for a doctor to come see me daily rather than release me. This act smacks of the double standards that many of us raise”.

Paris would still be in jail if her last name weren’t Hilton and if she weren’t a Hollywood celebrity. So Sharpton is right on about the economic favoritism. However I disagree with it being racist. I believe if it was Denzel Washington, Bill Cosby or any other uber succesful African-American that they would have received the same preferential treatment.

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