Charles Rangel, the Harlem Democrat who shaped Congress for nearly half a century, has died at 94. His passing marks the end of an era for New York politics, where his voice carried weight but often stirred controversy, Breitbart reported.
Rangel’s career was a marathon of influence and ambition, spanning from 1970 to 2017. He ousted Adam Clayton Powell to claim his congressional seat and never looked back. His tenure was a masterclass in political longevity, though not without its bruises.
A Korean War veteran, Rangel earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. His military service fueled a gritty determination that defined his advocacy for Harlem’s downtrodden. Yet, his heroism didn’t shield him from ethical stumbles later on.
Rangel’s rise included a historic milestone in 2007 as the first African American to chair the Ways and Means Committee. That perch gave him clout to push policies like empowerment zones for struggling businesses. But power attracts scrutiny, and Rangel’s wasn’t always flattering.
In 2010, the House censured him for ethics violations tied to financial disclosures and fundraising missteps. Actions have consequences, and Rangel’s slap on the wrist reminded everyone that even giants can fall. Still, he weathered the storm, retiring on his terms in 2017.
As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, Rangel championed social justice and economic equity. His “Rangel amendment” targeting U.S. companies profiting from apartheid South Africa showed his knack for bold moves. Critics, though, saw his activism as occasionally overreaching into performative territory.
Rangel’s opposition to the Iraq War was fierce, calling it a “death tax” on the poor and minorities. His rhetoric hit hard but alienated some who saw it as divisive grandstanding. The anti-woke among us might nod at his pushback against elite war hawks.
“Charlie was a true activist — we’ve marched together, been arrested together,” said Rev. Al Sharpton. Sharpton’s nostalgia paints Rangel as a street-fighter for justice, but let’s be real: marches don’t always mean results. Rangel’s heart was in Harlem, even if his methods sparked debate.
His verbal sparring with Vice President Dick Cheney was legendary, once saying Cheney seemed “sick rather than just mean and evil.”
That zinger landed punches, but trading barbs with a political titan doesn’t always move the needle. Rangel’s sharp tongue thrilled supporters and irked opponents in equal measure.
Rangel’s push to reinstate the military draft in 2004 raised eyebrows. He argued it would force shared sacrifice, but critics called it a political stunt that fizzled fast. The idea flopped, proving even Rangel’s boldest plans didn’t always stick the landing.
He urged Hillary Clinton to run for Senate in 2000 and collaborated with Bill Clinton on economic initiatives. Those alliances boosted his profile but tied him to establishment figures conservatives often distrust. Rangel’s coziness with power could feel at odds with his “little guy” mantra.
“I have always been committed to fighting for the little guy,” Rangel said in 2012. Noble words, but his ethics scandal left some wondering if the little guy got lost in the shuffle. Sincerity doesn’t erase sloppy bookkeeping.
As part of New York’s “Gang of Four,” Rangel wielded influence alongside other African American powerhouses.
His clout shaped Harlem’s political landscape, though some argue it entrenched old-school machine politics. Progress isn’t always as progressive as it seems.
Hakeem Jeffries hailed Rangel as a “patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer.” High praise, but flowery tributes can gloss over flaws, and Rangel had plenty. His legacy is a mixed bag of trailblazing wins and self-inflicted wounds.
Rangel’s memoir, “And I Haven’t Had A Bad Day Since,” captured his resilience, from war hero to political titan. His death closes a chapter on a man who fought hard but didn’t always fight clean. Harlem, and America, won’t soon forget him.
