Since Michael Jackson’s untimely death June 25, Rev. Al Sharpton has stepped up to honor the singer, standing alongside Joe Jackson at a recent family press conference and playing an instrumental role in the late singer’s BET Awards tribute and July 6 memorial, where he praised the King of Pop for having “eradicated barriers.”

But last fall, Sharpton seemed to be distancing himself from the singer.

On Sept. 26, 2008, Sharpton took part in a discussion on race on the GO Fish Radio Network.

Sharpton said the African American community “cannot excuse some of our own misdeeds and behaviors on racism. It must be a balance between the society’s responsibility and personal responsibility.”

The host then said there is too much finger pointing when it comes to who’s to blame for racism. He then quoted Jackson, saying that more people need to “take a look at the ‘Man in the Mirror.’”

Sharpton then replied, “Well, just remember: You quoted Michael. I didn’t.”

Then they all laughed.

Source, Bauer-Griffin