Rev. Sharpton Calls for Jackson Stamp

The Rev. Al Sharpton, a guest speaker at First AME Church today, told the crowd he and NAACP board member Willis Edwards would start a campaign to get the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative Michael Jackson stamp.

Typically, the postal service waits at least five years before issuing commemorative stamps, but Sharpton said he and Edwards hoped to sway the stamp committee.

"It's (the campaign) going to work out with the reverend in a meeting soon. It's (the campaign) going to start soon," said Edwards after a news conference in front of the church. "I think we have to find out all of the procedures."

Assemblyman Mike Davis, D-Los Angeles, said he would back the effort.

During his sermon at First AME Church today, Sharpton told the congregation to join "love vigils" for those who won't be attending the Jackson memorial Tuesday at Staples Centers -- and to hold these vigils in memory of Jackson at every "youth center, auditorium and church basement" nationwide.

"We want love. That's what Michael sang about," Sharpton said. "Let's talk about love. Let the media deal with the mess, while we deal with the message."

In his sermon, Sharpton took a stab at the news media calling coverage of Jackson's death a "disrespectful double standard" and not in line with reporting done on the death of Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley.

"I'm here because of the disgraceful and the despicable way (the media) is trying to destroy the legacy (of Michael Jackson)," he said. "You have had other entertainers that have had issues in their life, you (the media) did not degrade and denigrate them."

"All we ask for is one standard. All we ask for is the same respect. Michael was no freak. He was a genius," he said. "And his family should be respected in this hour of grieving."

He said the lack of diversity in the media has played in what he called biased coverage of Jackson's death and the controversy surrounding it.

"I don't think (the media) understand who Michael was," he said. "I don't think they have any cultural significance."

Sharpton said he got to know Jackson, over the years, when the King of Pop would visit his mentor, the late soul icon James Brown.

"Down the years, Michael would always come to visit Mr. Brown and we got to know each other better because James Brown was one of his idols," Sharpton said. "When he (Michael) got into trouble we came and stood with him."

Sharpton said the family's publicist, Ken Sunshine, and others were still in the midst of planning the event that will "celebrate Michael's life and will effect all nations, all nationalities and all religions. Other than that, I'm not privy to other final decisions."

When asked abut the welfare of Jackson's children, Sharpton simply said: "I've seen them and they are fine."

He did say he was at the Jackson's Encino home yesterday and Friday.

As far as stamps go, the only exception to the five-year rule is the issuance of stamps honoring deceased U.S. presidents, which are traditionally issued on the first anniversary of their birth that comes after their death.

The Postal Service receives up to 50,000 inquiries a year recommending stamp subjects and issues commemorative stamps on about 25 new subjects each year, according to its Web site.

A Jackson stamp could provide a financial boon for the Postal Service. The 1993 stamp honoring singer Elvis Presley is the best-selling U.S. stamp with 124.1 million sold, according to Postal Service figures, with many kept as souvenirs by collectors and fans instead of being used for postage.