In the curious case of Shirley Sherrod, let’s see the whole tape
A couple of folks in comments yesterday brought up the case of USDA official Shirley Sherrod, a black woman caught on tape at an NAACP meeting here in Georgia apparently bragging about being less than diligent in helping a white farmer. The folks at Big Government posted a portion of her speech as part of the running feud between the NAACP and the Tea Party over which organization is more racist.
By the end of the day Monday, Sherrod had been forced to resign her post, and NAACP President Ben Jealous had released a statement agreeing with the forced resignation:
“Racism is about the abuse of power. Sherrod had it in her position at USDA. According to her remarks, she mistreated a white farmer in need of assistance because of his race.
We are appalled by her actions, just as we are with abuses of power against farmers of color and female farmers.
Her actions were shameful. While she went on to explain in the story that she ultimately realized her mistake, as well as the common predicament of working people of all races, she gave no indication she had attempted to right the wrong she had done to this man.”
(UPDATE: The NAACP has now pulled that statement from its website.)
After watching the video Monday evening, I wrote in comments that “what Sherrod says in that video — and what she apparently did — are deeply troubling… She might very well have earned a firing. But I’d like to see that rest of that video as well, because at the point it abruptly ends, she appears to be saying that it’s wrong to think in terms of black and white, that she came to see things as more accurately divided between poor and rich than by race.”
As I also noted, the folks at Big Government seem to have the whole video, since they also posted another segment, and it would be useful to see the rest of it.
Sherrod gets a chance to tell her side of the story in an AJC story by Marcus Garner:
“But Tuesday morning, Sherrod said what online viewers weren’t told in reports posted throughout the day Monday was that the tale she told at the banquet happened 24 years ago — before she got the USDA job — when she worked with the Georgia field office for the Federation of Southern Cooperative/Land Assistance Fund.
Sherrod said the short video clip excluded the breadth of the story about how she eventually worked with the man over a two-year period to help ward off foreclosure of his farm, and how she eventually became friends with the farmer and his wife.
“And I went on to work with many more white farmers,” she said. “The story helped me realize that race is not the issue, it’s about the people who have and the people who don’t. When I speak to groups, I try to speak about getting beyond the issue of race.”
So let’s see the rest of the tape, Big Government. Was Sherrod giggling among black folk about the time she put it to the white man, as the leaked excerpt suggests, or was the tape a deceptively edited excerpt of a longer story about getting beyond the issue of race, as she claims?
Let’s see the tape. The evidence apparently exists to settle the question. Cough it up.
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461 comments Add your comment
ty webb
July 20th, 2010
7:46 am
but…but…but.
Outhouse GoKart
July 20th, 2010
7:50 am
Sticking it to “dun man”.
Bob
July 20th, 2010
7:52 am
I think your question was answered by her resignation. If the full tape would have justified her, she would have not been forced out. Rather, the Obama administration would have scored a victory, perhaps its first against Big Government.
Scott
July 20th, 2010
7:52 am
Andrew Breitbart, of Big Government, also brought us the ACORN ‘prostitute’ story:
http://biggovernment.com/author/abreitbart/
This is nothing but another hatchet job by the Right.
Trusslady
July 20th, 2010
7:54 am
Ah yes, a Faux news edit job. Why tell the truth, when a fine hatchet job will stir up the rabble.
Doggone/GA
July 20th, 2010
7:55 am
“Shows that they are racists”
It shows some of them are bigoted. YOU are a racist. “crows”
I Report :-) You Whine :-( mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 20th, 2010
7:56 am
Aahhh, redemption is a possibility, as long as you aren’t Trent Lott or Mark Williams or George Allen or………, just sayin…
Concerned Citizen
July 20th, 2010
7:56 am
Obama supports the Black Panters killing white baby’s via no condemnation.
Obama supports illegal immigration.
Obama supports the FALN terrorists via hiring the man who pardoned them, Eric Holder
Obama supports bombing of the pentagon via his friendship with the bomber, Billy.
Obama supports the destruction of the USA by his 20 years of listening to his preacher preach “God Danm America”.
tony
July 20th, 2010
7:57 am
this lady is so full of it. she is the biggest bigget of all.
Doggone/GA
July 20th, 2010
7:58 am
CC – KEEP those lies coming.
ty webb
July 20th, 2010
7:58 am
I’m positive that the full tape will expose this lady for what she really is… a member of the tea party. Come on, who’s with me?
Concerned Citizen
July 20th, 2010
7:59 am
The AJC is a commie rag.
That is why your sales are down, down, down.
Fox News is the only news outlet left concerned with truth, justice and the (old) American way.
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:00 am
“I think your question was answered by her resignation. If the full tape would have justified her, she would have not been forced out.”
oh my. so much naivete in one little post.
sorry, but people “are resigned” all the time over the appearance of impropriety, regardless of whether or not they actually did anything wrong.
I’m with Jay – given Breitbart’s history of posting “creatively edited” videos, to put it mildly, I think we all deserve to see her comments in their entirety.
Keith
July 20th, 2010
8:00 am
There is no defense for racism, and the defense of this woman’s blatant racism is disgusting.
But…the best thing that could happen to expose the double standard in regards for racism is for folks like you to defend her. Let’s get Benjamin and Malik and Sharpton and Jackson all down here to make their traditional big scene and expose them all, yet again, for their racially entrenched behavior.
There is a limit to this, and it may not be pleasant once the limit is reached.
Peadawg
July 20th, 2010
8:00 am
“The folks at Big Government posted a portion of her speech as part of the running feud between the NAACP and the Tea Party over which organization is more racist.”
NAACP easily!
Gale
July 20th, 2010
8:01 am
The internet access to millions with edited “proofs” is like primitive man with fire; at once helpful and dangerous.
Outhouse GoKart
July 20th, 2010
8:01 am
This garbage comes as no surprise. The NAACP is a organization full of hateful bigots. Always has been always will be.
Doggone/GA
July 20th, 2010
8:01 am
“There is a limit to this, and it may not be pleasant once the limit is reached”
NIF? Is that you?
AmVet
July 20th, 2010
8:01 am
She should have told him, “Sorry the USDA is not in the business of giving away other taxpayer’s money. Unless, of course, you a re gigantic multi-national like Archer Daniels Midland. Then we’ve got hundreds of millions of dollars, even billions for ya. Oh, and our definition of farmer? Well, Chevron Oil, John Hancock Life Insurance, Caterpillar Manufacturing and Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals qualify!
(But hush! Those invaluable watchdogs at Big Government don’t need to know about how 75% of the corporate welfare for the agri-wealthy goes to just 10% of the “beneficiaries” though.
A mere $30,000,000,000+ per year…
Normal
July 20th, 2010
8:03 am
awww.let’s talk math instead…
This Indian chief had three wives, which all happened to be pregnant at the same time. When the first wife gave birth, the chief went into the teepee. He came out beaming with joy. The chief announced that he was now the proud father of a handsome little boy. He declared to the tribe. “I will show my happiness by building the mother a teepee made from deer hides!”
When wife number two had her baby, he repeated the process. After announcing the arrival of another son, the chief vowed to build its’ mother a teepee made from antelope hides.
When the third wife gave birth, the chief swelled with pride. He said. “I am going to build this squaw a teepee made of Hippopotamus skins!” “Who can tell me what this squaw had?” The members of the tribe whispered amongst themselves, but none could come up with the right answer. Finally, one young brave spoke out. “She had twin sons!” “That’s right,” declared the chief. “How did you figure it out, Pathagarus?” “Simple mathematics,” said the brave. “The value of the squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the two other hides.”
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:03 am
“The AJC is a commie rag”
I don’t know about anyone else here, but I really am enjoying the mix of 1960’s and 1980’s nostalgia …
I mean … commie? geez, I’m just waiting for a cry of “Wolverines!!” and C Thomas Howell to pop up, saying that the hate keeps him warm … (or maybe it’s just the pee down his pantleg)
TaxPayer
July 20th, 2010
8:05 am
Is Shawn Hannity moonlighting.
stands for decibels
July 20th, 2010
8:05 am
Without bothering to watch the clip (because, frankly, I don’t care), I’m going to go wayyyy out on a limb and assume the TeaTards behind it are deliberately withholding exculpatory evidence as they go after this poutrage-o’-da-weak.
because that’s what they do.
Breitbart will rot in hell. Also.
stands for decibels
July 20th, 2010
8:06 am
I’m just waiting for a cry of “Wolverines!!” and C Thomas Howell to pop up
funniest. movie. evah.
Normal
July 20th, 2010
8:06 am
Every race is racist. It’s the nature of the beast. Our Teacher Creator, made us this way to learn the lesson on tolerance, understanding, and acceptance. Guess what? Epic fail!
stands for decibels
July 20th, 2010
8:07 am
This garbage comes as no surprise.
Why must you hate and be one of the hatey haterz?
Ron
July 20th, 2010
8:07 am
The reaction of the crows is the disturbing thing. It’s funny watching all these white libscum bloggers bending head over heels to help out these racist black NAACP folks though. Don’t worry, we’re keeping lists for when the race war starts Jay. What are you going to do when you realize you don’t have a side anymore?
Doggone/GA
July 20th, 2010
8:08 am
Looks like the skinhead faction has been alerted.
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:09 am
dB – I dunno … my vote for “unintentionally funniest movie evah” still goes to Roadhouse (’nudder Swayze masterpiece) … with “the 13th warrior” tied with Red Dawn for 2nd
(I mean … casting Antonio Banderas as an arab prince taken in by Vikings – BRILLIANT!)
Bob
July 20th, 2010
8:10 am
USinUK, what was creative about the crowd that seemed to enjoy what they heard prior to this woman saying she and the farmer became BFFs ? On the tape you could hear a few in agreement with what she said about her not helping whitey. What attitude did this lady carry around that made her think the farmer thought he was superior to her.
Jay
July 20th, 2010
8:10 am
I have a side, Ron.
Whichever one you’re not on.
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:11 am
“Don’t worry, we’re keeping lists for when the race war starts Jay. What are you going to do when you realize you don’t have a side anymore?”
holy crap. most folks at least try to throw a little makeup on their wankery … there he is with everything on show …
me, I’m on whatever side that piece of crap is NOT
ty webb
July 20th, 2010
8:12 am
UsinUK,
great movie. I heard it’s going to be remade. Which will no doubt suck.
Gale
July 20th, 2010
8:12 am
Normal, math geek humor before I have even finished my morning coffee? That was a groaner.
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:13 am
Bob – 8:10 – yep. and the folks at ACORN were also setting up a child prostitute ring.
until you see the unexpurgated video, you might want to hold your fire, considering the source.
AmVet
July 20th, 2010
8:13 am
Congrats Mr,. Bookman! And right wing conservatives.
The sheer intellectual brilliance and deep Christian morality is really on display this morning. 8:07 and that first 7:54 really stand out as representative of this despicable mentality that still thrives in the southern white male.
If the NAACP is as racially intolerant as these poor put-upon misunderstood conservatives claim, there is at least some historical understanding of the 400 year history that would have created it. Not justification, mind you mental lightweights.
What pray tell, is the paltry excuse for the white, racist, hate-mongers that still exist in this country? Many of whom fit in VERY nicely in the Tea Party’s bowel movement? And please do not further embarrass yourselves by claiming there are none…
Bob
July 20th, 2010
8:13 am
Can we see the whole tape of the tea party people spitting on the black congresspeople ? We have two clips, one shows someone admitting to being a bigot, the other does not show anyone spitting. But to liberals, the one with proof shows nothing and the one that shows nothing is proof.
Doggone/GA
July 20th, 2010
8:15 am
“If the NAACP is as racially intolerant”
I’m still trying to figure out where all the white members of the NAACP fit into the “racist” charge. Anyone got a clue?
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:16 am
Doggone – now, don’t go bringing facts into the discussion – it’ll ruin their mojo … or something …
MiltonMan
July 20th, 2010
8:16 am
Let’s see. Ms. Tucker defends the New Black Panther party because what they did was okay because it was in a “HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC” district.
Bookman rants about the Tea Party because of racism & then turns around & defends this piece of garbage??? She said that she did not help him as much as she should have because he was white. What else do you need???
electrician
July 20th, 2010
8:17 am
USinUK@8:03…sorta makes.me want to do the old “DUCK AND COVER!” drill.and if there are so many commies in america the why is the circulation for the AJC dropping?
Doggone/GA
July 20th, 2010
8:18 am
“What else do you need???”
More people who want ALL the facts, and who know that reliance on “gotcha” reporting is pure laziness.
MiltonMan
July 20th, 2010
8:18 am
Dog & US, you could say the same thing about blacks in the Tea Party but your loyality to the DemoRats have you blinded. Great day in GA today – the DemoRats only hope is the proven user Rat Barnes to carry the banner for GA state politics.
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:19 am
electrician … ah, yes … duck and cover … I remember that well!! (because a school desk is going to keep you safe when the Russkies try to obliterate Dobbins AFB and Lockheed!)
“if there are so many commies in america the why is the circulation for the AJC dropping”
cuz we’re all buying Mother Jones …
Granny Godzilla
July 20th, 2010
8:19 am
I see it’s another Andy Breitbart video.
Then it MUST be investigated.
He cannot be trusted.
Doggone/GA
July 20th, 2010
8:20 am
“Dog & US, you could say the same thing about blacks in the Tea Party but your loyality to the DemoRats have you blinded”
But we don’t have to, because we’ve known all along that the Tea Party is not a racist organization. It’s just a group of people who happen to have racists among them. What group doesn’t?
AmVet
July 20th, 2010
8:23 am
“What else do you need???”
It could be argued that you and others of your mindset could use some Intellectual acumen. Some desperately needed critical thinking skills. And a basic understanding of context and degree.
But more than anything else, a little moral courage would go a long way to fix what ails you stuck in the 1950s Jim Crow boys…
OK, off to help those struggling “people” Eli Lilly and Chevron Oil (Remember “Businesses are Citizens Too! Hat tip – Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce) get some more farm subsidies…
electrician
July 20th, 2010
8:24 am
AmVet@8:13 the tea party cant bring itself to call out the racist in thier ranks anymore than they can get rid of the hijacking republicans that have clained it as thier own.
USinUK
July 20th, 2010
8:25 am
Milton – I don’t think that EVERYone in the Tea Party is racist (neither does the NAACP, for that matter) – as opposed to you who seems to think that the NAACP is a racist organization.
T-Town
July 20th, 2010
8:25 am
With one exception, it’s not what she said but how she said it. Saying something to someone like your bragging leaves little room when your trying to be contrite. What concerns me most is the “because I took him to one of his own” shows that she still sees race instead of just a person in need.