In the face of mounting criticism over a plan to do television commercials for a car title company that charges interest rates of 300 percent, Al Sharpton says he has now placed his plans on hold until he can obtain more financial data from the firm.
“We’re putting everything on hold in terms of this national tour and advertising and marketing. We put it off until he gets me this data,” Sharpton says in an interview, referring to an agreement he has been doing for LoanMax. “Out of respect to him, I’m giving him time to show me. But, if he doesn’t have it, then I’m definitely going to tell the world that he had time and he didn’t come through with nothing. … If he’s got the facts, then I will make the suspension permanent.”
Keith Corbett, senior vice president of the Durham, N.C.-based Center for Responsible Lending, a non-profit think tank, told Sharpton in a letter that his commercial airing during prime-time morning news shows in the Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland areas were deeply disappointing.
“Over the last few years you have been instrumental in the fight to end predatory lending, Specifically, you lent your voice to stopping predatory lending in North Carolina by urging our Black Caucus leaders to work to put an end to these abusive practices within our state. Therefore, I was surprised to hear that you are a spokesperson for car title loan companies. Today we have access to credit, but the “terms” are abusive and discriminatory. Like we rallied with Rosa Parks, all black people need to come together to end these practices.”
In the commercial, Sharpton stands on a stage by a podium and a United States flag as if he’s still running for president.
? An NNPA article