In response to David Banner’s recent attack on Reverend Al Sharpton, a representative from the activist’s camp released a statement to SOHH today (August 14) addressing the rapper’s remarks.

Banner (born Levell Crump) recently revealed to SOHH that he does not support Sharpton’s rallies against hip-hop’s lyrical content and described his dislike for the Reverend.

The next time you see Al Sharpton, tell him I said @#*$ him and he can suck my @#*$, ” an animated David Banner told SOHH.com. “I might change the name of my album from The Greatest Story Never Told to @#*$ Al Sharpton. I hate Al Sharpton. This is the kind of @#!* that I’m talking about. They’re killing kids in New Jersey and all across the country and all a @#*$% got to talk about is rap lyrics? @#*$ that about they’re our elders and we gotta respect them. I’m tired of this. They’re like the parents, but the parents are crucifying the kids.

The Mississippi bred rapper also referred to Sharpton as “a permed out pimp.”

Kirsten John-Foy, a leader with Sharpton’s National Action Network and the head of his Criminal Justice Initiative, responded with his own scathing remarks.

“From time to time we do encounter people that have sexual fantasies about Reverend Al Sharpton, but they are always women and Crump’s proposition is a first,” he told SOHH in a statement.

“However, in keeping with the National Action Network’s Decency Initiative, I am sure Rev. Sharpton would not call Crump the “N” “B” or “H” word,” Foy continued. “And, despite Crump’s personal request, I am sure Reverend Sharpton would not call him an @#!*%&. He would just pray for him. We at NAN are pro civil rights for everyone, even Levell Crump who has not had a banner year since his debut album in 2003.”

The recent media spotlight on dogfighting reminds us of society’s callous disregard for the
suffering of animals and disrespect for sentient beings. We hope that Mr. Vick is not a product of this insensitivity that runs through our society.

Whether through the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, the National Action Network, the
Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA), we believe in being agents of social change who responsibly and proactively fight the
war against poverty and injustice and against ignorance and cruelty. Our battle must extend to
those innocent animals who literally have no voice or choice.

It does us little good to prosecute just those who are famous and allow people across the country to continue to commit these hideous crimes. We are hopeful that authorities will take the appropriate action against anyone found guilty of an atrocity as serious as dogfighting, and we will evaluate and monitor the prosecutors and judges responsible for protecting the innocent and helpless. Every animal has the right to live without fear and pain. It is our job to do whatever we can to ensure this basic right for all animals, and we intend to do just that! Let’s give law enforcement and animal welfare professionals, who are on the front lines of battling violence and cruelty in every form, our active support in their quest to elevate our society.

Today, we sound a clarion call to all people: Stand up for what is right, and speak out against
what is wrong. Dogfighting is unacceptable. Hurting animals for human pleasure or gain is
despicable. Cruelty is just plain wrong.

Russell Simmons, RUSH Communications
Rev. Al Sharpton, Nationl Action Network
Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA

In April, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons said the recording and broadcast industries should consistently ban three racial and sexist epithets from all so-called clean versions of rap songs and the airwaves. Expressing concern about the “growing public outrage” over the use of such words in rap lyrics, Simmons said the words “bitch,” “ho” and “nigger” should be considered “extreme curse words.”

Sharpton said the Buffalo chapter of NAN also would consider town hall forums and other venues to steer young blacks toward positive goals, especially now that the city has elected its first black mayor and has a black schools superintendent and police commissioner.

“I remember many years ago when I would come to Buffalo, we dreamed of days of black empowerment,” Sharpton said. “Now we have to make sure the conduct of our black citizens complements that achievement. We cannot undermine them with the conduct of killing each other, selling drugs to each other and really celebrating a culture of depravity and decadence.”

The Buffalo-Niagara Falls chapter is the 36th branch of NAN, which Sharpton founded to protect civil rights for minorities.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who has challenged the entertainment industry on denigrating lyrics, on Monday supported a state senator’s idea to pull public investments from companies that won’t clean up their act.

Holding the entertainment industry accountable will be a primary goal of the newest chapter of Sharpton’s National Action Network, said the activist minister, who announced the formation of the Buffalo-Niagara branch while in town to address a convention of black criminal justice professionals.

Roughly $3 billion from New York’s state pension fund is invested in the entertainment industry, according to state Sen. Antoine Thompson, who requested an inventory of entertainment industry investments from the state comptroller earlier this year.

Thompson suggested leveraging the investments to open dialogue with industry executives.

“We just want to have more responsible entertainment where we’re not using language that’s offensive to anybody,” the Buffalo Democrat said.

“The idea of divesting New York State taxpayers’ money from record companies that have a double standard when it comes to language is something that will be a priority,” said Sharpton, who led the drive to have Don Imus fired from his syndicated radio show for calling the Rutgers University women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos.”