Sherrod's story of racism presents wonderful lesson

Is it really true? Has Shirley Sherrod been fully vindicated?

ATLANTA, Georgia - Community backlash in the aftermath of Shirley Sherrod’s abrupt resignation and subsequent vindication has been vicious thus far. So, whose more at fault? Depends on who you ask? Many people are upset at Ben Jealous and the NAACP for publicly disowning Sherrod based solely on excerpts reported by Fox News.  Others question the integrity of the Obama Administration for reacting pretty much the same way.  Apologies have been given and accepted. But the pain, unfortunately, still lingers.

Sherrod, whose 62 years old, has certainly endured and overcome tragic episodes of racism. Her father, following a nasty dispute over a few cows, was brutally murdered by a white farmer in 1965. Folks, we’ve had great conversation on racism the past couple weeks. And I thought it would be wise to post comments from a couple people who actually lived the “civil rights” experience: Community activist Ms. E “The Power Broker” and prominent Kansas Citian Mrs. Jones. Please see their remarks below. Also, post your thoughts.

So, what’s my take? A few days ago, I presented a comparison/contrast on issues associated with racism versus “blatant” racism. The debacle stemming from Sherrod’s abrupt resignation is, in my humble opinion, a perfect illustration of this. My generation, and today’s youthful populace, can’t identify (generally speaking) with the intense level of racism Sherrod, and others from her era, has experienced. Reading books, newspapers and blogs about malicious acts of discrimination and hate doesn’t compare to actually “living it.” These points were profoundly expressed in Sherrod’s speech during an NAACP function.  

Where do we go from here? Most of us are sick of racism. We're tired of it. Those of us with good sense crave both a resolution and closure. However, we must remain cognizant of the simple fact racism is big, big business. That’s why it’s not going anywhere. Think about it. Because we, the people, don’t get along, greedy politicians and corporate “big-wigs” are able to get away with bloody murder. The distraction created by that dark cloud known as “racism” has crippled our efforts to hold “the powers that be” fully accountable. I'll go to my grave believing to make progress, we must first pursue it.

Sherrod’s story, though disturbing, trails in comparison to job outsourcing, Walmart’s monopoly, death of small business, high unemployment rates, sweat shops, immigration, lack of health care, economic obsolescence, education budget cuts, and the elimination of social service programs for the frail, elderly and disabled. The real enemies are proponents of economic oppression. We can blame President Barack Obama, George Bush, and the federal government for the socioeconomic ills of America until our hearts content.

But the buck, in my view, stops with you and me. Our negligence, hate, and ascending ignorance has impeded the progress of this wonderful nation. And it’s really a crying shame. We could accomplish so much by working together. Read on…     

Ms. E, Kansas City: "There are way to many folks,issues to be conceded with! And what has theNACCP done in the last the 60's anyway? They do not speak for 99.9 %off "colored" folks anyway,let's talk about real issues like folks unemployed,homeless,no medical, murder,drugs, no education,seniors, the oil spill that's affecting lives, issues that we need to bringing up and take a stand on! Ms.E The Power Broker"

Mrs. Jones, Kansas City: “Hello Wayne, if you see the full context of the video, that was taped from a presentation she gave 20 years ago, it clearly shows she was using a parable to show why no one in a position of authority should use their position to withhold assistance from anyone regardless of their color. This is a lesson she herself learned when she attempted to further assist the white farmer. She found out the problems in the system did not stem so much from color, but from the stand point of the haves versus the have not’s.

The farmer that she assisted and his wife were on CNN last night, and stated that this women helped them save their farm. And she treated them well and they never felt mistreated. Fox news ran the story trying to put a blight on the NAACP, and its racism within its own ranks. The video was taken out of context and there was no discrimination involved. The NAACP, as well the white house got bamboozled by Fox, and in this climate of racial ping pong, made a rash decision to fire her, without speaking to her, or looking at the context of the whole video.

She should never have been fired. If she used her position  20 years ago to withhold assistance from a poor white farmer, then even now she should be fired. But that is not what happened in this case. The Blogger was attempting to make the case that the NAACP tolerated racism and  they purposely did not show the entirety of what  Ms. Sherrod actually said.  Ms. Sherrod was attempting to make the case against racism, that even she as a black woman had to learn overcome. Thanks. Mrs. Jones.”

Wayne Hodges, an MBA from St. Mary University, is the Editor-in-Chief of “Mass Appeal News.” He is also a candidate for Kansas Senate District #7, an adjunct professor, and MPA at the University of Kansas.