These Indian characters regard white interlopers with skepticism that, by Hollywood standards, is equally novel.

Mr. Sharpton seemed a political goner after his "white interloper" remarks, which came shortly before the fatal fire in 1995 at the Freddy's clothing store in Harlem.

In their minds, he will be - possibly forever - the incendiary champion of Tawana Brawley and the man who labeled a Jewish store owner in Harlem a "white interloper."

Sharpton told the protesters, "We will not stand by and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business."

Sharpton later expressed regret for making the racial remark, "white interloper," and denied responsibility for inflaming or provoking the violence.

The Rev. Al Sharpton called them "white interlopers."

(He had called the store's lessee "a white interloper.")

Soon after that, rallying his forces outside the store, the reverend declared, "We will not stand by and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business."

The ousted owners were despised by the white interlopers, and this opinion was not hidden under a bushel.

Asked about that remark later, he cited his reference to the Harlem store owner two years ago as a "white interloper."