News Archive

Mission Statement
The Decency Initiative of the National Action Network, led by Tamika Mallory, was established in order to address standards in the media and entertainment industries. The Initiative’s initial goal is to eliminate the use of three words in music and media; the “N” word, the “B” word and the “H” word, which are a blatant disrespect to women and the African American community. The overall goal is to establish a single standard that will be adopted by media and entertainment entities that will respect all people regardless of race, gender and sexual orientation. The Initiative is targeting record labels, major corporations and media conglomerates that continue to profit from racism and sexism. The Initiative is leading a national effort to educate consumers on corporate policies, purchasing power and consumer rights and will mobilize consumers towards direct protest of companies who support the degradation of any group.

Our Chairman, Rev. Dr. Richardson and our Decency Initiative Director stand in solidarity on the Harlem Outrage Peaceful Protest

Chairman, Rev. Dr. Richardson and Tamika Mallory and one of the children of the movement, Priscilla Davis, daughter of NAN Crisis Cynthia Davis and niece of slain Rap Artist Jam Master Jay are arrested following in the path of Dr. King.

The Harlem Protest, Day of Outrage: injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere

National Action Network and Harlem community Residents of Harlem join in protest of the Bell verdict

Statement from Tamika Mallory

As National Director of the National Action Network’s Decency Initiative I write to refute statements made in a letter circulating on the internet that completely distort Reverend Sharpton’s position on the Dunbar Village rape case.  First, the National Action Network and Reverend Al Sharpton have advocated against any form of violence or degradation against women since its inception. In fact, in January of this year Rev. Sharpton personally visited Dunbar Village with William Franklyn Richardson, III, president of our Florida chapter, to denounce the living conditions there and the rape and violence that occurred against the victim and her son. He pledged to return and spend the night in Dunbar to hopefully further expose the living conditions that create an environment for such acts of violence to go unchallenged, but due to a storm on the night of his scheduled visit, we have rescheduled the sleep-in to mid April.

Rev. Sharpton’s January visit to Dunbar was widely reported, which is why it is strange to me that anyone would feel that his subsequent statements with the NAACP would be any different from his original statement in January. If there was confusion, one would think a person would at least call us to inquire before jumping to a self serving attack on a position we never took.  Rev. Sharpton was in Florida three weeks ago as part of a tour to make sure the Florida and Michigan delegates of the Democratic Convention, would not be seated since primaries were unfairly held in January. While in Florida, the local NAACP chapter asked him to appear at a press conference where they alleged that since the Dunbar Village incident, the local prosecutor had not held several young whites in a neighboring city who had gang raped a young girl, to the same standard that the assailants in Dunbar are facing. Their point was to underscore how the local prosecutor will not treat whites who have committed a deplorable act the same way they treat blacks. Reverend Sharpton attended and made it clear that he thinks both acts were heinous and deplorable and that both groups should be punished to the full extent of the law. He in no way excused, justified, or called for leniency in the case of the black assailants.

Whether it was Tawana Brawley, several years ago, who many didn’t believe or Meagan Williams, today, who many have forgotten, Reverend Sharpton has stood against women being violated and has supported with resources and his presence our Decency Initiative which is part of his national civil right’s organization. The Decency Initiative has been fighting against the violent and misogynistic language against women. He has done this to the chagrin of many of his supporters and many of his friends in the entertainment industry. For anyone to distort his position and then attack it without even a phone call and to seemingly and purposely omit the fact that the press conference was about the white kids being treated with kid gloves for the same despicable act is in itself sexist. All women of all communities should expect the law to protect them and we should at least check with those that put themselves on the line for us before we rush to judge a distorted story.

Rev. Sharpton is no stranger to the causes of black women and he should at least be given the benefit of doubt before we accuse him, particularly when it is not true. I trust that all responsible will correct this misrepresentation…

Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network's Decency Initiative are pleased to learn that Nas' upcoming album will not be titled the "N" word. This proves that record companies and distributors realize that the community will not allow companies to profit from denigrating us and polluting the minds of our youth. On May 3, 2007 the Decency Initiative, Rev. Al Sharpton and the children of James Brown led a march on the three major record companies in NYC:

Universal, Sony and Warner Music-- to raise the issue of a double standard in the music and entertainment industry and to demand that companies protect the civil and human rights of all people. 

Rev. Sharpton states: "We are proud of the consistent and diligent work of the Decency Initiative under the stellar leadership of Tamika Mallory. Clearly, putting their focus and pressure on the companies and not engaging in a fruitless pursuit of chasing a never ending and ever changing roster of artists has proven to be smart. The record companies and retailers have the power as this Nas matter shows. Had not the Decency Initiative and other groups put the pressure on, this change of title on Nas' album would never had been a corporate concern." 

Tamika Mallory, National Director of NAN's Decency Initiative states: "No other community is subjected to denigration as a form of entertainment. A record company would never release an album titled the "f" word to describe the gay community or the "k" word to describe the Jewish community as they should not. We are fighting to make sure the rules apply for women and African Americans as well."