We can’t preach community control when we aren’t practicing self-control.” – Rev. Al Sharpton
The Rev. Al Sharpton has announced that he no longer eats meat and has joined the growing ranks of former carnivores who believe the vegetarian lifestyle is a healthier choice. Sharpton announced his new vegetarian status on a blog published by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
“I overhauled my diet after a 40-day hunger strike when I was in jail for the Vieques [military bombing practice] protest,” Sharpton told PETA. “I dabbled with weight loss ideas, wanting to keep off the pounds I lost. First, I gave up red meat, then chicken. I ran into Bill Clinton, who told me how he has more energy, needs less sleep and can think more clearly since going vegan, and I can tell you the same thing happened to me. I also kept in mind the words of another vegetarian friend—Coretta Scott King—who always spoke of the ethical reasons to give up meat.”
“You can’t address our issues and demand social justices when you are a prisoner in your own body, and you can’t have a reckless social life when you are looking for social justice,” Sharpton told NBC’s The Grio in early December. “How do you pastor when they are in the church cafeteria frying. We can’t preach community control when we aren’t practicing self-control.”
Sharpton has lost more than 120 pounds since adopting a healthy living regime.
Though the Reverend may not top PETA’s annual “world’s sexiest vegetarian” list any time soon, some of the following black celebrity vegetarians have won that honor in the past:
