Yesterday, I had a second post ready to go about about racism, which included a bit from Ben Smith’s article about Obama being pretty lame on the subject (Melissa Clouthier covers that story this morning.) However, since there were several other posts about racism up at Right Wing News (I cross post the first two of the day their and at Stop The ACLU), including John Hawkins’ “Don’t Shed Any Tears For Shirley Sherrod,” I decided to forgo that post, in which I stated that she was kinda railroaded, that the video was somewhat out of context, as well as some of the other issues covered by John, including “hey, it’s kinda interesting how the NAACP folks in attendance were laughing about a blatantly racist incident.” I’m glad I did not hit the post button, since, we get this story from Media Matters
Shirley Sherrod, the former Agriculture Department Georgia Director of Rural Development, says she is a victim. A victim of poor reporting and, as she contends, clear bias and racist coverage from both Andrew Breitbart and Fox News.
“When you look at their reporting, this is just another way of seeing that they are (racist),” Sherrod told me about Fox in a lengthy interview Tuesday night. “But I have seen that before now. I saw their reporting as biased during the Bush Administration and the Clinton Administration.”
It would be interesting to see what the actual word in parentheses is, yet, I’m sure MM has it correct, if their other quotes are for real
“I never heard that name until a few minutes ago,” she said Tuesday night about Breitbart. “He never contacted me. I think they intended it to be what it ended up being, a racist thing that could unite even more the racist people out there who follow them.”……
“I think they should but they won’t. They intended exactly what they did. They were looking for the result they got yesterday,” she said of Fox. “I am just a pawn. I was just here. They are after a bigger thing, they would love to take us back to where we were many years ago. Back to where black people were looking down, not looking white folks in the face, not being able to compete for a job out there and not be a whole person.”…
“I think it is race. You think we have come a long way in terms of race relations in this country, but we keep going backwards,” she said. “We have become more racist. This was their doing, Breitbart put that together misrepresenting what I was saying and Fox carried it.”
Got that? Breitbart exposing a racist incident in Sherrod’s life, and Fox News showing the same video, is due to their racism. Personally, I did expect that these roads would be traveled, but not by Sherrod. I expected the unhinged and typical race baiters on the Left to do their “blame the messenger and call them racist” schtick. Yet, quickly, Sherrod went there. Surprise!
She’s even considering suing Fox and Breitbart. Woman up, buttercup. Conservatives have been the victims of these types of false “Racist!” calls for a long time. Palin and other Conservative women have been victims of real sexist behavior from the Left for years.
Crossed at Right Wing News and Stop The ACLU
Teach,
The video was OBVIOUSLY taken out of context, as the entire speech was ABOUT UNITY. RACIAL unity. How the HELL can you possibly describe what Breitbart did as “exposing a racist incident in SHerrod’s life”?! He didn’t expose anything. She did. She was exposing her past mistake as an example of what not to do. Breitbart tried to make it look like she recently did this in her USDA position, and was unrepentant. He and Fox News are trying to push an agenda that, under the Obama Administration, all of the sudden, white people are now being discriminated against.
You should devote an entire post to apologizing to Sherrod and Obama for blindly repeating that false information. Otherwise, you are a disrespectful, disgraceful hypocrite. Everyone else should apologize for being wrong, EXCEPT YOU.
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
I believe everyone is missing the point of what Breitbart is doing. He is taking something that was said and deliberately pulling out of context to show the ridiculousness of the declaration made by the NAACP that the TEA Party movement is inherently racist. He has turned the tables, pulling the same move the NAACP and the left has made for years to show the absurdity of it and how when you cry racism at every turn you marginalize the act of racism when it actually does occur.
However, rather than looking at Breitbart’s piece and saying, “yeah, you’re right. It is very easy to take a comment out of context and twist it to further your own political agenda, just like we did with the TEA Party declaration”, they come out and start attacking him and anyone who would dare broadcast it as “racist”. Nice move. This is one big game of “I know you are but what am I?” being played by the NAACP and the Obama Administration because they refuse to admit they are wrong.
LMAO! What a crock of CRAP!
If that were truly Breitbart’s intention, he would’ve said something like: “I can do the same thing the NAACP is doing by editing this video like so…” But that was never said. He promoted it as an instance of racism, which Teach and every other conservative blogger and media personality jumped on as proof of racism on her part.
Nice try, MBP.
But that was never said. He promoted it as an instance of racism, which Teach and every other conservative blogger and media personality jumped on as proof of racism on her part.
So her admitted racist act was not racism in your eyes? She herself said it was, but you disagree?
Also you are conveniently leaving out the reaction of the crowd which approved of her racist action.
He promoted it as an instance of racism, which Teach and every other conservative blogger and media personality jumped on as proof of racism on her part
The White House said it was racism. The NAACP said it was as well. Sherrod admitted it was racism.
Are you denying that her actions were not racist because it doesn’t fit your narrative?
He promoted it as an instance of racism,
Which is a truthful statement. He also promoted the reaction and the acceptance of her racist act as evidence of racism within the NAACP.
Breitbart’s intention was to document actual racism within the organization that constantly claims racism in other groups. The video was proof of racism within the NAACP.
We are still waiting for proof of racism in the Tea Parties as the NAACP claims.
“I’m a victim of coicumstance!”
— Curly Howard
I can’t believe I have to spell this out for you, GC! What Sherrod did a while back was not appropriate, but she admitted as much. The speech was intended to promote racial unity. Breitbart used it to attack her and the USDA, claiming that she is currently racist, as did Teach, Otter, and countless others.
Her speech was taken out of context in order to make a point. All who were complicit owe her an apology.
Now, as to the NAACP, they stated that the Tea party leaders should condemn racist elements within their ranks, of which there is clear evidence:
That is very different from calling the entire organization racist (yet another straw man). Breitbart tried to find an example of the NAACP doing the same, and all he could come up with was taking this video out of context to show Sherrod mentioning her past actions toward a farmer who is now her friend and fully supports her, claiming that she was very helpful. She helped him save his farm.
She was not holding up a sign at a rally condoning racism. She was speaking AGAINST racism and intolerance within her own community.
There is no comparison.
And no one is holding up signs at Tea Parties condoning racism either.
So, if someone is holding a sign that depicts Obama as a monkey, African witch doctor, or says that he should go back to Kenya, what is that? Is that just common sense logic?
What Sherrod did a while back was not appropriate, but she admitted as much.
Did she?
She never condemned racism at all. What she did say was that racism was about power. She had power and it was wrong for her to use that power in an inappropriate manner.
You can’t find a definition that says racism is anything other than based on race. Sherrod’s story is a good one and I applaud her for it. However, it doesn’t take away that she made decisions based on race (which is racism) and the audience to which she was speaking approved of those actions. In other words, they approved of her racism.
Now, as to the NAACP, they stated that the Tea party leaders should condemn racist elements within their ranks, of which there is clear evidence:
You just made Breitbart’s point for him. You justify and stick up for racism within the NAACP when there is video evidence of racism, and while there is not evidence of racism within the Tea Parties, you say “there is clear evidence.”
all he could come up with was taking this video out of context to show Sherrod mentioning her past actions
You keep avoiding the acceptance and outright approval of Sherrod’s racism by the crowd. I wonder why that is? Could it be that having a room full of racists agreeing to a racist act doesn’t fit your perception of reality?
She helped him save his farm.
So? She says that she didn’t do her job because of racism and then says that she did do her job because to not do it was an abuse of her power and authority.
We can argue all you want about her actions. She admits they were racist and until you deal with that, you are spitting into the wind. Until you deal with the acceptance of the audience to that racism, you have no credibility.
There is no comparison.
I agree. There is no comparison in accusing the Tea Parties of racism or having racism within their ranks, without evidence, and dismissing the video evidence of racism within the NAACP.
Well, there may be a comparison in that your position is hypocritical, but I have come to expect that.
So, if someone is holding a sign that depicts Obama as a monkey, African witch doctor, or says that he should go back to Kenya, what is that? Is that just common sense logic?
It is the same treatment that Bush received.
Racism is differing treatment based on race. Here you are complaining about the same treatment Bush received being applied to Obama.
The only racism being displayed here is on your part in wanting Obama to be treated differently than other presidents based on his race.
Holy crap, are you dense! How did the NAACP crowd react, specifically, to Sherrod’s statement about her initial reaction to the farmer? Then, how did they react to Sherrod’s entire speech (at the end)? Have you even watched the video in its entirety? If she made a 40 minute speech about unity, after which the crowd applauded, are they still racist? Your argument makes no sense.
Sherrod was not with the USDA when this happened. You got that part, right? She was working with a non-profit that helped black farmers. A white farmer came to her for help, and although her initial reaction was to send him to someone else, when it was clear that they weren’t going to help him, she helped him save his farm. WTF don’t you get about that?!
Teach, Otter, and many others claimed that she IS racist. Got that?! IS!!! That’s exactly what is implied by the misleading video. Do you at least agree that Sherrod IS NOT racist, judging by her TOTAL speech? How about the crowd, and their reaction to her FULL speech?!
Get your head out of your ass and quit looking at just the clip that Breitbart posted. Look at the whole picture.
How did the NAACP crowd react, specifically, to Sherrod’s statement about her initial reaction to the farmer?
You watch and tell me. They agree with her. Period. They approve of her racism.
WTF don’t you get about that?!
I have heard this argument before. Where was that… oh yeah…. “some slave owners were kind to their slaves.”
The fact that she eventually helped the guy doesn’t change her action or her belief set.
Do you at least agree that Sherrod IS NOT racist, judging by her TOTAL speech?
I think the jury is still out on that one.
Go look at the speech yourself. Clearly you only see what you want to see. You have missed Sherrod’s statement of “It’s not so much about white…” then catches herself and says, “It IS about white and black.”
We have a woman who admits to a racist act and then admits to viewing the world through a racial lens.
But it gets worse, later in the speech which you appear not to have viewed critically, she says “We didn’t do the stuff these Republicans are doing because you have a black President.”
Besides the obvious ignorance on her part of what criticisms of Bush were made by people, her statement attempts to brush away criticism of Obama simply because he is black.
In her world, and in your world apparently, no one can criticize Obama because he is black.
Once again, we have Sherrod seeing the world through the lens of color and race, and not through a lens of neutrality.
It’s clear that you support the racism in Sherrod’s remarks and the racism in her actions. You support the racism in the room.
Get back to me when you actually condemn racism on display in front of you, rather than making it up.
YOU’RE the one making the accusation! I’ve watched the video, and saw no reaction from the crowd after her comment about not doing everything she could for him. Did you see any clapping, or other audible signs of approval?
Are you f’ing kidding mE?! That slave comment is not at all analogous! She initially reacted semi-helpful to a white farmer, eventually saved his farm, and made a point about looking beyond race.
Again, you’re straying from the point. Teach and others labeled her a racist based on a misleading edited video clip. It turned out that this was not the full story. In reality, she actually helped the farmer (not revealed in the video), and was making a larger point about racial unity (also not revealed in the video). Everyone, even Bill O’Reilly, has admitted reacting without knowing all of the facts, and that the video was taken out of context. That is, except any of you here. Teach, Otter, you, and everyone else, seem to be sticking to your guns about this woman being a racist.
Teach what Breitbart did was WRONG and instead of calling him out for doing such a piss poor job of journalism you do in fact end up blaming the Black woman who was victimized by him. And gitarcarver the left has been VERY critical of Obama, much more so than the right was of Bush even when his approval ratings were only 1/2 of Obama’s. And what would you know of looking through eyes of race reality ? Maybe you are not old enough to remember that until 1972 it was ILLEGAL for blacks and whites to marry in some states.
Did you see any clapping, or other audible signs of approval?
Yes I did.
You didn’t?
That just goes to show that you see what you want to see in this case. You agree with the racism in the crowd.
She initially reacted semi-helpful to a white farmer, eventually saved his farm, and made a point about looking beyond race.
I just want to make sure I understand your point here. Despite the fact that she admitted to an overt racist act, and still views the world today through racist lens, she is not a racist because she helped save a farm?
I hate to break this to you but that is the same argument made by other white racists. The fact that they “helped” someone has nothing to do with them being a racist.
labeled her a racist based on a misleading edited video clip. It turned out that this was not the full story.
It was not the full story on that issue. As I have said, she helped the man not because she wasn’t a racist, but because she thought it to be an abuse of power. She later makes two quotes that are racist as well – statements that you have failed to address.
everyone else, seem to be sticking to your guns about this woman being a racist.
Of course, the video was not just about the woman. Your continued deflection of that is noted.
However, I am curious as to one thing…..
How many lies does one have to tell to be a liar? How many things does a person have to steal to be a theif?
When you get that answer, then apply it to Sherrod. How many racist acts and beliefs – whether in the past or in the present – does one have to commit to be a racist?
Apparently in your world, the answer is either dependent on the color of the person’s skin, or their political leanings.
No, I didn’t. Since you’re seeing something I don’t, and claiming that makes me a racist, why don’t you get specific and tell me exactly at what time in the full video this act of approval happened, and what was said by Sherrod immediately prior to the act or approval?
No, you don’t get it. The speech was about unity.
What is it that makes you think she “still views the world through a racist lens”? Are you still trying to spin the statement about how “it is about white and black”? Sherrod’s father was killed by a white man. She grew up in south Georgia in the middle of the Civil Rights movement, and felt the humiliation of Jim Crow laws. When she said it is about white and black, she’s talking about how there is still racial discrimination out there, not that she’s discriminating. That would be stupid. That would go against the purpose of her speech.
GC, you have to view statements in their full context. Quit trying to spin what she has said into something else, so that you can make her look like a racist. Quit being so stubborn and do what Bill O’Reilly has already done. Admit that the video was out of context, and that you were wrong.
No, I didn’t
There are none who are so blind who will not see.
No, you don’t get it. The speech was about unity.
Unity via racism? How exactly does that work?
When she said it is about white and black, she’s talking about how there is still racial discrimination out there, not that she’s discriminating.
Oh I get it now. She uses her being a racist to prove her point that there is still discrimination out there.
Well, that clears it all up.
GC, you have to view statements in their full context.
I have. You are the one that is spinning more than Lance Armstrong.
She admitted a racist act and then helped the person not because she was wrong for her racism, but because it was an abuse of power.
It is still all about black and white to her as that is how she sees the world – through the lens of race.
In her world, it is wrong to criticize a person because the color of their skin makes them immune from criticism and accountability.
And you agree with her.
Admit that the video was out of context,…..
I would assume that you believe that someone who has watched the video or was present during the speech would understand the context, correct?
If that is the case, then why did Ben Jealous of the NAACP who was in the room and heard the entire speech say her remarks were racist?
Quit being so stubborn and do what Bill O’Reilly has already done.
O’Reilly agrees that the NAACP is a racist organization. You want to agree to that? Or is your call for “agreement” only when you agree with someone?
I ask you again…..
How many lies does one have to tell to be a liar? How many things does a person have to steal to be a theif?
When you get that answer, then apply it to Sherrod. How many racist acts and beliefs – whether in the past or in the present – does one have to commit to be a racist?
Apparently in your world, the answer is either dependent on the color of the person’s skin, or their political leanings.
I asked you for more specific information on the approval, since you see it and I don’t.
WTF are you talking about?
What makes you think Jealous was in the room?
No, I don’t agree with everything that comes out of Bill O’Reilly’s mouth, but that’s beside the point. Holy crap! I don’t have to agree with EVERYTHING O’Reilly says to point out to you that even he sees that the video was out of context!
Look, you have done your best to spin this into something that it’s not, and I admire your persistence, but the fact of the matter is that you’re dead wrong. Hell, even Glenn Beck thought she shouldn’t have lost her job! And no, I don’t agree with nearly anything else he says, but actually helps PROVE MY POINT! He’s on YOUR side, but he agrees with ME on this one! He and O’Reilly see what you can’t — that this video was out of context, and is not proof that Sherrod is a racist, or has used her position in the USDA to influence decisions on the basis of race.
I asked you for more specific information on the approval, since you see it and I don’t.
I can’t help you with that since it is clear that you don’t want to see it. When Sherrod starts talking about denying the farmer helped based on his race, there are people in the audience agreeing with here. It is audible. If you don’t see it, that is on you.
WTF are you talking about?
We have covered this before. Sherrod says that racism is power. Of course that i s not true, but that is what she believes. She helps the guy not because of his skin color or an aversion to racism, but because she sees herself abusing power.
What makes you think Jealous was in the room?
There is a video of him in the room. Now, answer the question of “If that is the case, then why did Ben Jealous of the NAACP who was in the room and heard the entire speech say her remarks were racist?”
No, I don’t agree with everything that comes out of Bill O’Reilly’s mouth, but that’s beside the point.
Then why would you assume that I would either? Why would you assume to try and use the supposed weight of O’Reilly’s name to say basically say that I was wrong and look at how O’Reilly says so?
but the fact of the matter is that you’re dead wrong.
Sorry, but that is your opinion and not a fact. You still haven’t addressed her other racist statements and yet you accuse others of being dishonest.
but actually helps PROVE MY POINT!
How so? Are you so dishonest that you believe that a majority of a sample of people believing something means it is factual?
You don’t believe that and neither do I.
not proof that Sherrod is a racist
That is your opinion. It flies in the face of her own statements, but you are free to believe what you will.
has used her position in the USDA to influence decisions on the basis of race.
I wasn’t aware that I or anyone had made this accusation. In fact, her initial racist incident didn’t happen while she was at the USDA.
So let’s review, shall we?
Sherrod says that racism is not about race, but about power. In other words, in her view she is not a racist because only people in power can be racist.
She admits to seeing the world through racial lens. That is her view. Now if someone else had said that they view the world on the basis of skin color, you would be screaming and rightfully so.
Lastly, she says that the criticism of Obama is strictly based on race. There is no allowance for a person of any race or color to disagree with Obama in her mind. She looks at the president and sees a black man, not a man.
That’s racist
Lastly, I will continue to ask…..
How many lies does one have to tell to be a liar? How many things does a person have to steal to be a theif?
When you get that answer, then apply it to Sherrod. How many racist acts and beliefs – whether in the past or in the present – does one have to commit to be a racist?
Apparently in your world, the answer is either dependent on the color of the person’s skin, or their political leanings.
Okay, back to bizarro world…
What was the specific quote to which you are referring?
All you’d have to do is tell me what time it happens in the video, so I can be sure I know exactly what you’re calling approval, and compare it to what she previously said. Otherwise, I can’t possibly validate your claim. Funny how you guys never seem to want to delve into specifics. Your arguments are almost always vague generalizations.
Again, let’s get specific. I don’t see him in the video. Where is he seated?
The point I was making, and which you obviously didn’t get, was that basically everyone is saying the video was out of context. I spelled that out for you in my last comment. Why are you the only one who is still trying to spin this into her being racist?
What other racist statements?
The video insinuated that the actions were recent, rather than 24 years ago, and provided no context of the full speech, in which she promoted unity. That’s why she lost her job.
Okay, I’ll oblige your stupidity, and answer the obvious for you.
In the dictionary, racism is defined as “belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority or inferiority of a particular racial group.” If someone currently holds this belief, they are a racist. If they used to, but no longer hold this belief, they are not a racist.