According to CNN, Shirley Sherrod, the Department of Agriculture staffer who was ousted from her job this week, is now on the phone with President Barack Obama.
Having found herself in the middle of a manufactured racial controversy, which not only saw her pushed out from her job but also her reputation undermined, there is probably a great deal that Sherrod could discuss with, and teach, the president and his administration. "I think [they] need to understand a little more what life is like. I'd love to talk to [the president], though, or people in his administration ... to help them understand," said Sherrod.
This week's blunder suggests that the White House does indeed need to learn a few things, the least of which is that the haste to get involved in matters that turn out to be hoaxes or purposely constructed manipulations does a huge disservice to the very real issues that people are facing.
Sherrod said that she does not want an apology from the president, even though the White House, at large, has offered one. She does, however, believe that he is not "someone who has experienced some of the things I've experienced in life." In reality, that isn't so much of a criticism as it is a statement of fact. Sherrod's background is one that has been marked by living and working with race-related issues in the South.
According to Sherrod, a conversation with the president would expose him to the realities of life for black farmers in the suburbs. "I'd like to talk to him about the experiences of people like me, people at the grassroots level, people who live out here in rural America, people,who live in the South. I know he does not have that kind of experience," Sherrod told NBC's 'Today' show.
Sherrod has since been offered another job in the USDA, within the Office of Civil Rights and Community Outreach, but it is likely that she may decline. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, who took full responsibility for her resignation, admits to feeling rather foolish for having jumped to conclusions, and even conservative host Bill O'Reilly has apologized to Sherrod.
So, If the president is willing to sit down for beers with Henry Louis Gates and a police officer, it's a great thing that he's talking to Sherrod.
14-July-10 - An Iowa Tea Party group recently caused an uproar by creating a billboard that compares President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin.
14-July-10 - An Iowa Tea Party group recently caused an uproar by creating a billboard that compares President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Lenin.
14-July-10 - Cad-about-town Tiki Barber has been hit with a $1-million lawsuit by a fitness company that has rendered him "worthless overnight" as its spokesperson, because he cheated on his pregnant wife.
14-July-10 - Fox News reporter Megyn Kelly (pictured) and New York Post columnist Kirsten Powers went at it recently regarding charges from a former Justice Department lawyer who claims that civil rights cases in which whites are the victims are ignored.
13-July-10 - A criminal investigation should be opened for two officers who Tasered and pepper-sprayed a 57-year-old Georgia woman who called police to report a prowler.
13-July-10 - Aimee L. Sword, 36, pled guilty to having sex with the biological son she gave up for adoption, whom she later tracked down on the Internet via Facebook.
13-July-10 - The Gay-Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has gone hard against ABC and "The View" about recent comments made by host Sherri Shepherd and guest host D.L. Hughley.
08-July-10 - In many ways, Gary Coleman, Maia Campbell and Michael Jackson represent a major tragedy of the black community: undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues, especially clinical depression, in all its variations. It would be a waste to not learn lessons from these stars, so that we can help so many others.
08-July-10 - Johannes Mehserle, a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) officer (pictured), has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the case of Oscar Grant, whom he shot and killed on a train station platform in Oakland, Calif., on New Year's Day 2009.
07-July-10 - According to Peace FM Online, "The Juice," O.J. Simpson, is tying the knot behind bars. The once-upon-a-time gridiron great is all set to marry a lady love, whom he has never even met face to face.
02-July-10 - The real hypocrites oath will forever be linked to University of Georgia Athletic Director Damon Evans, who got busted for drunk driving after cutting an anti-drunk-driving public service announcement for the university
Don't hold your breath you might be waiting a long.....................................time only if the administration wants black votes will you get a call from Obama and the naacp! i hope we don't have short memories on this!
Yeah I think the White House was to quick to jump on Shirley Sherrod without even looking at the whole video and now they look like an ass ! Hummm kinda makes you wonder ? The serious issues they need to be acting a fool over but they don't! to busy going on what Fox news propaganda machine is saying and going along with it.
Okay, I'm tired of her already!! naacp used her!! Obviously, she didnt get the memo...naacp is useless and totally inept. They havent been relevant since the 60's!! Even then they were at odds with Dr. KIng!!
They are no more than a social club used to stage galas and parties...oh and prey on people like Sherrod for money and prestige!!
The simple fact that Shirley had feelings of not helping that farmer to her full capabilities (Regardless of her epiphany, and sudden change of heart!) Shows that 24 years ago she was the wrong person for the job, and never would be in a situation 24 years later to be "TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT!" While I agree that someone should be punished for taking only excerpts from the speech I feel that her resignation is warranted.
Quit trying to deflect the real issue here and whats happening in real time. A doctored video was used to propell a racist agenda, regarless of what happened 24 years ago. If the US senate can have a reformed KKK member in its mist, that a govermental body can have a person of color who recanted their views working for them. This teabag talking point wont work. Why don't you express yur views to an audience that willing to listen to your nonsense.
You took the words right out my mouth @ Rbk84. I see the poster Brian try to pull a fast one , but has not address the many KKK Klansman that are in the U.S Senate and in Top Government position til this day ? and the White House have yet to put them on blast and strip them of their positions.
Well, they finally got what they wanted. We are fighting amoung ourselves and that was the ultimate goal. We fall for it everytime. Yes I agree Ms. Sherrod was treated unfairly by losing her job. But they have appologized, offered her a better job, and she has been afforded the chance to tell her story to everyone. But for her to say she thinks she can share something about being black to the president because he has not gone thru what she has is over the top. I too am a black women raised in the South, during the 1950's. But I don't think my experiences make me a authority on how to be black. Stop giving them tools to use against our President. No he is not perfect, far from it, but he is doing something that will go down in the history of this country. He beat the odds and for generations to come no other black child will have to hear the words, "you can't be president of the United States". Barack Obmama has proved that theory wrong and I am damm proud of him and all those who helped to elect him.
Please get your head out of your butt, and come to reality. Obama is a politician period. He has allowed the boggyman (Fox news and Teabaggers) dictate policy in this country around race. Two things come to mind in this scenario. 1. How can a person of color in a high profile position, be told to resign without the president being advised especially in this polarising climate in washington. If you belive Barack Obama was'nt informed of this, you are nuts. 2. What Mrs. Sharrod was trying to convey is, that from everything we know about Obama his experiences as a Black man in America come from a Rose colored version of reality, manufactured from being a child raised in the white world by his white parent. His relationship with his former pastor and the lessons he learned about being a black man in america while sitting in those pews,are relevant and is somthing he should re examine in his role as president. This Guy did'nt have a black role model growing up. He's not like most black men from a single parent home or even raised in the black community. He kind of lives in a stereotypical universe when it comes to blackness. And yes he can have a black persona to his personality while being president. That is what the world expects. The rest of the world have known thee plight of our people and the injustice that have occured on these shores. So why run away from it. Stop being an Obama apologist. The guy is a weak leader, black our white. No backbone period
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Comments: (8)
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By: alie on 7/22/2010 10:22AM
Don't hold your breath you might be waiting a long.....................................time only if the administration wants black votes will you get a call from Obama and the naacp! i hope we don't have short memories on this!
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By: djkut on 7/22/2010 10:30AM
Yeah I think the White House was to quick to jump on Shirley Sherrod without even looking at the whole video and now they look like an ass ! Hummm kinda makes you wonder ? The serious issues they need to be acting a fool over but they don't! to busy going on what Fox news propaganda machine is saying and going along with it.
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By: LAURAJ on 7/22/2010 11:28AM
Okay, I'm tired of her already!! naacp used her!! Obviously, she didnt get the memo...naacp is useless and totally inept. They havent been relevant since the 60's!! Even then they were at odds with Dr. KIng!!
They are no more than a social club used to stage galas and parties...oh and prey on people like Sherrod for money and prestige!!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Brian on 7/22/2010 12:35PM
The simple fact that Shirley had feelings of not helping that farmer to her full capabilities (Regardless of her epiphany, and sudden change of heart!) Shows that 24 years ago she was the wrong person for the job, and never would be in a situation 24 years later to be "TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT!" While I agree that someone should be punished for taking only excerpts from the speech I feel that her resignation is warranted.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: rbk84 on 7/22/2010 1:07PM
Quit trying to deflect the real issue here and whats happening in real time. A doctored video was used to propell a racist agenda, regarless of what happened 24 years ago. If the US senate can have a reformed KKK member in its mist, that a govermental body can have a person of color who recanted their views working for them. This teabag talking point wont work. Why don't you express yur views to an audience that willing to listen to your nonsense.
Report This
By: djkut on 7/22/2010 3:18PM
You took the words right out my mouth @ Rbk84. I see the poster Brian try to pull a fast one , but has not address the many KKK Klansman that are in the U.S Senate and in Top Government position til this day ? and the White House have yet to put them on blast and strip them of their positions.
Report This
By: Taylor_Taylor on 7/22/2010 1:10PM
Well, they finally got what they wanted. We are fighting amoung ourselves and that was the ultimate goal. We fall for it everytime. Yes I agree Ms. Sherrod was treated unfairly by losing her job. But they have appologized, offered her a better job, and she has been afforded the chance to tell her story to everyone. But for her to say she thinks she can share something about being black to the president because he has not gone thru what she has is over the top. I too am a black women raised in the South, during the 1950's. But I don't think my experiences make me a authority on how to be black. Stop giving them tools to use against our President. No he is not perfect, far from it, but he is doing something that will go down in the history of this country. He beat the odds and for generations to come no other black child will have to hear the words, "you can't be president of the United States". Barack Obmama has proved that theory wrong and I am damm proud of him and all those who helped to elect him.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: rbk84 on 7/22/2010 4:11PM
Please get your head out of your butt, and come to reality. Obama is a politician period. He has allowed the boggyman (Fox news and Teabaggers) dictate policy in this country around race. Two things come to mind in this scenario. 1. How can a person of color in a high profile position, be told to resign without the president being advised especially in this polarising climate in washington. If you belive Barack Obama was'nt informed of this, you are nuts. 2. What Mrs. Sharrod was trying to convey is, that from everything we know about Obama his experiences as a Black man in America come from a Rose colored version of reality, manufactured from being a child raised in the white world by his white parent. His relationship with his former pastor and the lessons he learned about being a black man in america while sitting in those pews,are relevant and is somthing he should re examine in his role as president. This Guy did'nt have a black role model growing up. He's not like most black men from a single parent home or even raised in the black community. He kind of lives in a stereotypical universe when it comes to blackness. And yes he can have a black persona to his personality while being president. That is what the world expects. The rest of the world have known thee plight of our people and the injustice that have occured on these shores. So why run away from it. Stop being an Obama apologist. The guy is a weak leader, black our white. No backbone period
Report This