9. Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton is a polarizing figure. There’s no doubt that he is one of the highest profile black leaders of his generation, but whether he’s a positive or negative influence depends on whom you ask. Supporters say that he has spent decades agitating for various causes and individuals that he felt were being ignored or mistreated by the authorities. Critics would call him a publicity hog, who stirs up controversy to further his own agenda, with little regard for the overall consequences.
Whatever you think of him, if you followed the news in the 1970s and 1980s, you never would have thought that he would one day make a serious run for the presidency. But in 2004, he launched a mainstream campaign for the Democratic nomination, making himself a potent voice in the debates and earning himself a speaking engagement at the convention. True to form though, Sharpton’s campaign would eventually incur a fine for breaking campaign finance rules. Specifically, authorities found that Sharpton used outside money to pay for some campaign expenses.
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