John King, USA
The latest political news and information on the most important stories affecting you.
July 20th, 2010
07:53 PM ET
Shirley Sherrod's Speech
To view Shirley Sherrod’s full speech from March 27, 2010 visit the NAACP's website.
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I've watched and heard her entire speech, and I find that it is reprehensible. Her comments are inappropriate for a US government employee, and she surely does deserve some measure of discipline.
Excuse the pun, but her speech transgressions are black and white, in my mind. In telling the story of helping the white farmer, she makes it clear that her world view DOES place emphasis on black versus white. She says, several times, "it IS about white and black."
But, she goes on to say it was "revealed" to her that, in the white farmer's case, her bottom line should be that "it is about the poor" and "those of us who have, versus those of us who don't". So, since he was poor like, so many blacks, she was glad to helped.
Simply put, these racially AND socially biased and charged remarks are not befitting a US government employee.
When I read this, I'm thinking about the laws of swieng and reaping. Assuming she is not reinstated, Ms. Sherrod will simply be reaping what the NAACP has sewn all of these years. The "left" has taken out of context the words of many people over the years and used them to destroy people. Now one of their own may be having the same thing done to them. Also, if you associate with people who use such tactics, it is the same as though you are using them yourself. In other words, she should hardly be surprised she got hit with the same tactics her pals have used to destroy others. Specifically take their words out of context and use it to destroy them. FF estimates there is a 50/50 chance she will be reinstated. I estimate it is a 90% chance she will be reinstated.As for Mr. Breitbart, if it shown that he edited the tapes himself, his career as a journalist is finished. He will be sued for libel and every thing he has will be taken from him. If someone can establish he edited these tapes himself, this story will not die down but it will widely disbursed to "prove" that critics of the NAACP are racists.In sumamry, the questions are did Mr. Breitbart edit these tapes himself, did someone on his staff do it, how did he get these tapes? This may turn out to be a negative for the opponents of NAACP and Barack Obama.
Thanks so much for sharing the video here. I spopurt her decision and pray that she is able to find a position worthy of her talent and grace. She continues to take the high road; what an incredible example for our young people. From what I've read Andrew Breitbart has not been held accountable. Ann Coulter insisted he was the real victim, we're waiting for Sarah Palin to weigh in and offer her spopurt.
This is more evidence that a serious & honest discussion regarding race in this country is way overdue. And may I add, it deserves more consideration than a drink over beers. Race cannot continue to dominate all domestic issues in America unless we want to refight the Civil War.
Who is the press attacking on this issue, Shirley Sherrod, NCAAP, and Obama? The actual culprit is the individual that create BOTH videos. This is his second great adventure and the press has not addressed him yet. The ACORN BS, which resulted from a modified video, was his first. The press all of them attack the targeted individual and not the manipulator. We are experiencing disinformation on a large scale. There are several organizations capable of this type of activity, but only one in America. I would like for the press to investigate the background of the individual that created the tapes. I think there is a surprise awaiting all of us.
She should sue Andrew Brietbart because it's people like him that always fan the flames of racism with inaccurate information.
Watch the FULL VIDEO http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/video_sherrod/
The segment in question starts at 16:30 and goes for about five minutes. "You know," she starts, "God will show you things, and can put things in your path, so that you realize that the struggle is really about poor people."
Then, after telling the story of Roger Spooner, she ends with this: "Working with him made me see that it's really about those who have versus those who don't. And they could be black, they could be white, they could be Hispanic."
If there is anybody worthy of doing her job it's definitely Shirley Sherrod.
This fine lady has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that she shows no preference to colour when doing her job.
Shirley is owed an apology and her job back.
Let's just hope the right thing is done.
There is an edit at the 21:00 mark. Curious why that was edited.
Can't believe the President would allow these conservatives to punk him again. Thought he was a real man. Jokes on me. Just took off my Obama-Biden car sticker with my two sons watching and told them that it is challenging for me to be lead by weak people. Knew the NAACP was irrevelant a long time ago and quite frankly they have confirmed that on many occassions. By the way, why arent we asking for Ben Jealous ( or however it's spelled) to resign? And to see all of the weak brothers on T.V. who can't man up and just admit they made a mistake (i.e. Roland Martin; thought you were a stronger brother than that) is hilarious. Oh, and by the way, I am an African-American male.
JK USA,God bless you for this video.People with rational thinking will come away with something very useful.
It appears the white house, USDA, and NAACP all jumped to the wrong conclusion without investigating this matter thoroughly. The NAACP president has since apologized, but his offer to drop by and see Ms. Sherrod on his next visit to Georgia is insufficient. He should immediately go to her and apologize in person....like tomorrow. The federal government should have placed Sherrod on administrative leave, reached their conclusions, and then took whatever action was deemed necessary, which is likely nothing. Shame on everyone involved in the charade.
I watched Ms Sherrod's entire speech. I am saddened that the NAACP didn't back her to the hilt. They heard the entire speech and were witness to the intent of her heart. Several times she said – it's not about being black or white – it's about poor people. Both the White House and the NAACP overreacted without all the facts. Now the NAACP is retracting their stand and blaming others. If they had done their homework, this situation would not exist. Shirley should be reinstated and is owed an apology. No matter what the outcome, I hope that Shirely remains courageous, stays her course and finishes this well. She is an amazing woman.
I just viewed Shirley Sherrod's speech in full. It is not in any way racist! It is a view of how she came to her own conclusion about the "black & white" issue from the murder of her own father–by whites–to the need of all of us to work together for each other. She sites the white farmer incident to show how she had not had a white farmer approach her before and she sent him to a white lawyer. However, she found out he was not helping her and sent her to a black lawyer that did. Without her help the white farmer would not have had his farm saved. It shows her personal growth, which is more that most can or will say in a public speech! She sites history of the abuse of blacks; how we used to work together to help each other (16th and 17th centuries of indentured servants). It is a very powerful speech that she is preaching to her own people that we should NOT look at color, but look at what we (the blacks) can do to get better jobs, education, etc. She consistently emphasizes the way she has learned (and wants all to learn) that it is about helping the poor–of peoples of all color!
Wow! Clearly, she is not a racists. I remember in high school and also in college how my teachers and professors taught me to be a critical thinker. We are living in a time where, if we do not stop and analyze information and the source(s) where we get our information, we may make a rush to judgement that can have devasting effects.I hope she can get her job back.
Snookered is just a fancy word to say the NAACP, Roland Martin, Tom Vilsack, and others showed the world that they are incapable of thinking and investigating in a rational mindset. As I listened to Roland's lack of explanation today, it is very apparent that Shirley Sherrod should be re-hired and Roland fired. Fox News, Breitbart, and others outwitt all that persecuted Ms Sherrod. Shame on you all!
I find it a major mistake on her part for speaking to an outside group, as a USDA employee, without first seaking approval from Legislative and Public Affairs of the USDA. As a USDA employee, I can not even state my viewpoint on a disease outbreak in public without the approval of LPA. She should have saught prior approval for her speech, especially with it's inflammatory topic.