OMG! This is such a big deal. Let me first start by saying it's a shame that this whole situation happened...I am not necessarily talking about her being forced to resign, but the reality that people have suffered and continue to suffer over being over looked and under cared for by the Federal Government DUE TO RACE. The issue. She denied aid to white farmers who desperately needed her help. In fact, that is a racist act. She had the power and she purposefully denied federal assistance to people because of who they are. That is blatantly racist. But let's be real. I have never met my grandparents because they were killed, in Georgia, by a white driver. She was let go...not a big deal. Our country needs to realize the power of historical memory. How can we move forward when we don't even acknowledge what happened not only 50 years ago? In my dissertation, I was pressed to learn about the impact of how chief diversity officers [CDO] lead based on their own philosophical philosophies. Her father was killed by the Klan. Black & Vietnamese farmers right now, in the Gulf, are been denied and overlooked because of who they are--we need to move beyond this. The effects of systemic racism are powerful and lasting hence why we need to broach the issue. We are NOT in a postracial space. What makes me so sad is simultaneously, states are trying to reinstate new Jim Crow...or should I say Juan Crow. Now back to the issue. I hope we learn from this situation. What annoys me, is that they want to call her out but what about the rest of the racists?! What about the Tea Partiers?! I do not want to say everyone is racist, but let's look at our systems. Let's look at the violence that is taking place in Oakland--those police officers who murdered, as of late, 2 Black men?! What about our school system?! Right down the street, the Black & Latino students are failing and no one cares. I have a problem with us not learning any lessons. When will we all realize just how miseducated we are?! I love this country but let's be real...we need to grow.
Now what's interesting is how the mud is flying, or is it? Wait a minute--the White House is saying in a released statement that they had no role in wanting her to resign. Cheryl Cook, the Deputy Under Secretary, reportedly called her and stated that the Obama Admin wanted her to pull over and resign, while on the road to Athens, Ga. Interesting news...I think they were scared as the news was breaking. But back to the matter at hand. Currently,the Spooner's, the Farmers, are REFUSING to even say that she was racist...they are in shock! They said she was nothing but nice to them and that they received to "preferential treatment."
All I have to say is that she is dropping names on CNN. Glen Beck is apparently going to try to "rip her" on the show tonite and it scared Ms. Cook. All I have to say about this is how much I appreciate Shirley Sherrod being real, not running, and talking about what's really poppin. This story is NOT over. More details to come...
Shirley Sherrod is FIRED up. She is clear that she made these comments 24 years ago. She claims her intent was to help people "move beyond" those types of feelings and was using a personal example. Now she's going in on Roland Martin (you know that's my boo).
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