Wednesday, USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that he will now reconsider re-hiring Shirley Sherrod after she was asked to resign; his decision comes after the NAACP released the full video of Sherrod giving a speech and realizing that her words were taken out of context. The decision to fire Sherrod was made after a three minute clip of her speech was seen, but the three minutes were part of a much longer speech.
The full video of her speech can be seen below, and at about 15 minutes into the video is when Sherrod reaches the part that led to the loss of her job.
Wednesday, Vilsack released a statement that said he will "conduct a thorough review and consider additional facts" about his decision to ask Shirley Sherrod to resign.
Sherrod tells the story of how she learned to treat people equally, and during that speech she tells of a time when she didn’t. And she tells the story of a “white farmer” that she didn’t help based on the farmer’s race.
Tuesday, the wife of a white Georgia farmer spoke out for Sherrod and what she did for their family.
Sherrod, "kept us out of bankruptcy," said Eloise Spooner, 82, from Iron City, Georgia. Spooner said that she considers Sherrod a "friend for life." Spooner said that she and her husband Roger went to Sherrod and asked for help in 1986. At the time, Sherrod worked for a nonprofit group that helped farmers.
In her March speech that was given at a local NAACP banquest, Sherrod admitted that she didn’t help the farmers as much as she could have because they were white. She goes on to say what she learned from that situation, and she warns of the evils of racial separation.
"When I made that commitment (at age 17 years old to remain in Georgia and help people), I was making that commitment to black people, and to black people only," Sherrod said in the speech. "But you know, God will ... put things in your path so that you realize that the struggle was really about poor people."
The words that Sherrod used that eventually led to the loss of her job were:
"[The white farmer] was trying to show me he was superior to me," she said, talking about that day that happened 24 years ago. "I knew what he was doing, but he had to come to me for help."
Tuesday, Eloise Spooner said Sherrod worked to help them hold onto their land and avoid bankruptcy. Spooner told reporters that she spoke to Sherrod Tuesday morning after the story broke.
"She's very sad about it," Spooner said. "She told me she was so glad we talked. I just can't believe this is happening to her."
To see a slideshow of photos surrounding Shirley Sherrod's dismissal, click here.
Wednesday, Shirley Sherrod told ABC News that she wasn’t sure she would go back to the USDA even if they asked.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please click on the subscribe button above to receive an email when new articles are published by this examiner.
Sources: ABC News and AJC
Groom-ed: 'JuanMa' Lopez gets married (Photos)
Recent articles:
Lindsay Lohan looked terrified before being taken to jail (video)
Sarah Palin makes up word refudiate and compares herself to Shakespeare (video)
Judge restricts photos and video of Lindsay Lohan being carted off to jail
Sarah Palin Twitters and begs New Yorkers to reject Ground Zero center and mosque
Oil is leaking from oil well head, and seepage is seen, but testing will continue (photos)
Missing PA mom, Jenna Lord’s body found in New Jersey (video)
Coast Guard discovers oil seep near oil well that BP doesn’t report; testing to continue for 24 hours
National Tea Party rids itself of Mark Williams and the Tea Party Express (video)
Roman Polanski makes first public appearance since being released by Swiss government
Zsa Zsa Gabor falls, breaks hip, and is rushed into emergency surgery
Wesley Snipes federal appeal fails, and court upholds 3 year prison sentence
BP says oil spill cap may hold beyond 48 hour test; pressure is good, but not great (photos)
Rescue crews try to reach people trapped under New Jersey collapsed parking garage (photos)
Steve Jobs: “stunned and embarrassed” by Consumer Reports retraction (video)
Comments
Just because Shirley Sherod finally came around in the end with one couple she admittedly discriminated against, doesn't mean she is not a racist. The proof was clear, she absolutely was a racist and very well may still be. Even if she IS a reformed racist today, it still doesn't change the fact that she was a blatant racist in the past.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!