Video taken out of context showed Ms. Sherrod expressing some extremely hateful sentiments ("let his own kind help him" was my favorite). However, Ms. Sherrod, in the 24-year-old video, was using those hateful sentiments to make a point: that she came to the realization that her thoughts about the white farmer were bigoted and she vowed to change and never again let such thinking impact her decision making ever again.
I'm glad that Ms. Sherrod was able to return to her employment. The haste with which she was "encouraged" to resign was beyond ridiculous. Nice show of leadership, Duce.
But I return to the question I posited in the first paragraph: wither those who have worn the scarlet "R" prior to Ms. Sherrod?
Who will reclaim the reputation of Al Campanis? Mr. Campanis was the general manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1980's. He was no racist; it could be argued that he provided more opportunities in Major League Baseball to minorities than any other GM of his era. Yet one bad Nightline interview torpedoed his otherwise stellar career. Paradoxically, the one opinion he expressed that drew major scorn upon him - that blacks weren't built for swimming - has been scientifically proven based on navel position! Mr. Campanis is dead, but certainly his memory deserves to be expunged of the scarlet "R", does it not?
Who will reclaim the reputation of Jimmy the Greek? He made off-hand comments to a TV reporter at a bar that ended up costing him his career. His crime - stating that blacks had been bred to be big and strong during slavery - was insensitive and un-PC...but also historically accurate. I mean, what slave owner wants a crop of Urkels in the fields? He was fired by CBS Sports and never worked in TV again. Mr. "Greek" is dead, but certainly his memory deserves to be expunged of the scarlet "R", does it not?
Who will reclaim the reputation of Trent Lott? His comments in praise of Strom Thurmond - that the country would have been better off had he won election to the Presidency as a pro-segregation Dixiecrat in 1948 - were in reference to his political stances in general. The fact that he had run as a pro-segregationist probably didn't even cross Lott's mind. There are plenty of reasons to despise the big-government whore that is Trent Lott. But what of the scarlet "R"? Can his reputation be cleansed at last from that moronic smear?
The blathering heads of CNN were in high dudgeon on Tuesday about the whole Sherrod affair. But....where were they when Messers Campanis, "Greek", and Lott were being pilloried? If the sound you hear is that of crickets chirping, then you've comprehended my point.
It's time for the smear of "RACIST" name-calling to end. Now. It was bullshit 20 years ago when Al Campanis had his career ruined. It's bullshit now when Shirley Sherrod nearly has her career ruined. Stop it! We're not little children. You or I can have an opinion that is offensive; said opinion should NOT ruin our life!
It's time for the professional race baiters and racial ambulance chasers like Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson to be shown the exit.
It's time for America to grow up.
