NAACP President On Shirley Sherrod: “We Were Snookered By Fox News And Andrew Breitbart”

by Frances Martel | 7:15 pm, July 20th, 2010

» 43 comments

Well, this is about the fastest a story can possibly evolve through a news cycle. USDA official Shirley Sherrod resigned today after Andrew Breitbart released a video of a speech at an NAACP event that he claimed was proof of the NAACP’s racism. Sherrod claimed the White House pressured her out. Breitbart and company came to her defense. And now the NAACP backs her in a statement blaming Breitbart and Fox News for the mess.

Arguing that “the NAACP has a zero tolerance policy against racial discrimination” regardless of the background of the person practicing it, the organization’s president Ben Jealous released a statement a few minutes ago asking the USDA and Secretary Tom Vilsack to reconsider their decision to fire Sherrod after video of her admitting to working less diligently to help a white farmer surfaced. Jealous called the entire story a “teachable moment” that should make organizations more wary of Breitbart and Fox News, which he claims “snookered” the NAACP and other well-meaning actors:

“With regard to the initial media coverage of the resignation of USDA official Shirley Sherrod, we have come to the conclusion we were snookered by Fox News and Tea Party Activist Andrew Breitbart into believing she had harmed white farmers because of racial bias.

Having reviewed the full tape, spoken to Ms. Sherrod, and most importantly heard the testimony of the white farmers mentioned in this story, we now believe the organization that edited the documents did so with the intention of deceiving millions of Americans. [...]

Next time we are confronted by a racial controversy broken by Fox News or their allies in the Tea Party like Mr. Breitbart, we will consider the source and be more deliberate in responding. The tape of Ms. Sherrod’s speech at an NAACP banquet was deliberately edited to create a false impression of racial bias, and to create a controversy where none existed. This just shows the lengths to which extremist elements will go to discredit legitimate opposition.”

First Jealous goes after the Tea Party, his organization passing a resolution condemning them for not being vocal enough against racist elements in their ranks. Now he’s going after their favorite news organization and one of their most beloved leaders. As convoluted and radioactive as this story is, chances are it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, Fox News has responded to the statement on Special Report, and we can expect Breitbart to react himself sometime soon.

The full statement below:

“The NAACP has a zero tolerance policy against racial discrimination, whether practiced by blacks, whites, or any other group.

The NAACP also has long championed and embraced transformation by people who have move beyond racial bias. Most notably, we have done so for late Alabama Governor George Wallace and late US Senator Robert Byrd–each a man who had associated with and supported white supremacists and their cause before embracing civil rights for all.

With regard to the initial media coverage of the resignation of USDA official Shirley Sherrod, we have come to the conclusion we were snookered by Fox News and Tea Party Activist Andrew Breitbart into believing she had harmed white farmers because of racial bias.

Having reviewed the full tape, spoken to Ms. Sherrod, and most importantly heard the testimony of the white farmers mentioned in this story, we now believe the organization that edited the documents did so with the intention of deceiving millions of Americans.

The fact is Ms. Sherrod did help the white farmers mentioned in her speech. They personally credit her with helping to save their family farm.

Moreover, this incident and the lesson it prompted occurred more that 20 years before she went to work for USDA.

Finally, she was sharing this account as part of a story of transformation and redemption. In the full video, Ms. Sherrod says she realized that the dislocation of farmers is about “haves and have nots.” “It’s not just about black people, it’s about poor people,” says Sherrod in the speech. “We have to get to the point where race exists but it doesn’t matter.”

This is a teachable moment, for activists and for journalists.

Most Americans agree that racism has no place in American Society. We also believe that civil and human rights have to be measured by a single yardstick.

The NAACP has demonstrated its commitment to live by that standard.

The Tea Party Federation took a step in that direction when it expelled the Tea Party Express over the weekend. Unfortunately, we have yet to hear from other leaders in the Tea Party movement like Dick Armey and Sarah Palin, who have been virtually silent on the “internal bigotry” issue.

Next time we are confronted by a racial controversy broken by Fox News or their allies in the Tea Party like Mr. Breitbart, we will consider the source and be more deliberate in responding. The tape of Ms. Sherrod’s speech at an NAACP banquet was deliberately edited to create a false impression of racial bias, and to create a controversy where none existed. This just shows the lengths to which extremist elements will go to discredit legitimate opposition.

According to the USDA, Sherrod’s statements prompted her dismissal. While we understand why Secretary Vilsack believes this false controversy will impede her ability to function in the role, we urge him to reconsider.

Finally, we hope this incident will heighten Congress’s urgency in dealing with the well documented findings of discrimination toward black, Latino, Asian American and Native American farmers, as well as female farmers of all races.”

Andrew Breitbart, fox news, NAACP, Shirley Sherrod, Tea Party, USDA, White House

NORBIT

It’s your tape, genius! – and why haven’t we seen the rest of it???????????
Arkansas Steve

Francis,
The new NAACP was snookered by their own hate, by their own hypocrisy, by their own racism.
Andrew Breitbart just turned on the lights.
C0nstant

ben jealous’ chickens have come home to roost…

i love it
Snipzor

Arkansas Steve said:
The new NAACP was snookered by their own hate, by their own hypocrisy, by their own racism.
Andrew Breitbart just turned on the lights.

Whut? You mean they’re hammered with racism on a daily basis, they get death threats from pissed off right-wingers who just so happen to read Breitbart and watch Fox News, and they’re the bad ones? God good you Americans are fucking idiots. Breitbart should be sued for everything he’s got because of this, and you right-wingers should never be allowed to vote considering your idiocy.
Pablo

Shorter Ben Jealous: “I’m a dumbass.”
felixw

“The NAACP has a zero tolerance policy against racial discrimination…” Except for the NAACP’s constant support of quotas, reverse racism, tokenism, and affirmative action, as well as constant advocacy of policies that reward their members based on the color of their skin.

But other than those small matter, the group completely opposes racial discrimination.
timzank

This is getting funnier by the hour.
Pablo

Shorter Snipzor: “We need to make camps to put you in.”
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Adkins/1585417987 Bill Adkins

Andrew Not So Breitbart just overplayed his hand, he did the same thing that Mark Williams did and in the process they both exposed themselves as con-men. Andrew Not So Breitbart is the racist, he supports racists in the Tea Party, he’s an apologist for racism in the Tea Party and I’m glad his bet has finally been called. Andrew Not So Breitbart is a loser.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Adkins/1585417987 Bill Adkins

Pablo said:
Shorter Ben Jealous: “I’m a dumbass.”

Even shorter paBlow: “I’m a dumbass and I blow.”
Snipzor

Pablo said:

July 20, 2010 at 7:34 pm (Q

Yay! Godwin’d in one. I’m so glad you’ve jumped to that route, only proves the statement that you right-wingers are idiotic children who don’t deserve their right to vote.
C0nstant

bill how did you teach your vagina to type?
timzank

Wait until all of Sherrods lawsuit baggage and the $13 million settlement start bubbling up….
http://www.facebook.com/people/Bill-Adkins/1585417987 Bill Adkins

C0nstant said:
bill how did you teach your vagina to type?

Vaginas are my friends, I’m nice to vaginas? Better question, how do you talk with those dicks in your mouth?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Timsah/1113150152 Robert Timsah

So the NAACP acts stupidly and quickly uses the power of the White house to pressure this woman to resign. They make that mistake and then they try to blame Biggovernment.com?

Is this the newest form of collectivism? My mistake is now your fault. Man oh man why can’t this country ditch the two parties and vote libertarian?
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

I ben jealous , but I got over it . This has George Bush written all over it . That’s the ticket .
Pablo

Apostrophe jones said:
This has George Bush written all over it . That’s the ticket .

Rove, you magnificent bastard!
RazorsEdge

Wow, I’m surprised they would admit to watching/reading Fox and Breitbart. Good for them. open minded!
MichelleF

Hey Snip, I gather you have no problem with Glenn Beck getting death threats everyday. Am I right?
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Fred Barnes or Karl Rove or anybody . Call them racist . That’ll make them forget about the crazy preacher .
Pablo

You know who has a really good handle on the big picture here? Shirley Sherrod.

Asked about the NAACP’s actions during an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Sherrod said the only reason the video surfaced was in response to an NAACP resolution accusing the tea party of using “racist” tactics. “They got into a fight with the tea party, and all of this came out as a result of that,” Sherrod said.

The former Agriculture Department official also said she never heard from the NAACP to hear her side of the story prior to its statement on the video. “The NAACP has not tried to contact me one time, and that’s why this happened,” she said. “I would have appreciated having the NAACP at least contact me … to try to get the truth about what happened.”
MichelleF

So true Pablo.
http://apostrophejones.com Apostrophe jones

Snookered ? Hey , don’t drag Snooki into this . … Who can worry about this when Lindsey Lohan is in the Greybar Hotel ? Danger ! … She could get shanked out in the yard .
lanquihue

Mark Fuhrman said “nigger” once, and it ended his career and O.J. went free. Nuff said.
MichelleF

Macaca anyone?
http://www.nukethefridge.com MartiniShark

How is it the fault of others that the NAACP did not first review the full tape before they acted in knee-jerk fashion? For weeks the NAACP has acted superior to the Tea Party/Brietbart/Fox News cabal, and now they come forward and declare they were “snookered” by the same? How can they complain about these sources being complete liars and racists, and then they admit they acted because they listened to those same liars?

It’s the George-Bush-Syndrome again: “Bush is a moronic illiterate moron who cannot tie his own shoes and nobody would listen to him, but somehow he’s able to fool the UN, all the intelligence communities of our allies, and 95% of Congress into going to war.
timzank

Snipzor said:
Whut? You mean they’re hammered with racism on a daily basis, they get death threats from pissed off right-wingers who just so happen to read Breitbart and watch Fox News, and they’re the bad ones? God good you Americans are fucking idiots. Breitbart should be sued for everything he’s got because of this, and you right-wingers should never be allowed to vote considering your idiocy.

My, what an open minded statement. It really illustrates your tolerance. Breitbart runs a video, and because of that, he should have all of his “stuff” taken away and the rest of us should not be allowed to vote anymore because we don’t vote like you.

Do you ever read your own writing? You don’t agree with someone, therefore those people should have their property confiscated and their right to vote nullified?? What country do you live in?
timzank

MartiniShark said:
How is it the fault of others that the NAACP did not first review the full tape before they acted in knee-jerk fashion? For weeks the NAACP has acted superior to the Tea Party/Brietbart/Fox News cabal, and now they come forward and declare they were “snookered” by the same? How can they complain about these sources being complete liars and racists, and then they admit they acted because they listened to those same liars? It’s the George-Bush-Syndrome again: “Bush is a moronic illiterate moron who cannot tie his own shoes and nobody would listen to him, but somehow he’s able to fool the UN, all the intelligence communities of our allies, and 95% of Congress into going to war.

It is kinda funny this yutz (Jealous) would actually stand up and volunteer to the entire world he’s a dumbass.
Bunny

I like Ms. Sherrod. I saw her on TV this afternoon and she seemed very genuine and honest, and I believe that she was using the example to try to say that race shouldn’t play a part when it comes to helping someone in need. I feel so badly for her that she was summarily fired and thrown under the bus the way she was.

What bothered me in the tape were the reactions you could hear in the audience before she got to the part about having a revelation. The earlier statement by Mr. Jealous said that they would be investigating that, but it seems this latest statement makes no mention of that aspect of the tape. I assume no one “snookered” the audience retroactively to react they way they did.
StewartIII

TV wise, FOX News reported the story after the woman was forced to resign. So FOX News wasn’t behind her losing her job. The Obama administration’s fear of FOX News was though.
rorschach

Bill Adkins said:
Vaginas are my friends, I’m nice to vaginas?

If you’re not sure and are asking a question , you probably have dick in your mouth.
RTB

StewartIII, agreed 100%.
Lol furhman’s career ended when he dropped that “N” bomb….so fox news picked him up…still shaking my head on that one.
Glad to see the naacp finally exposed for being one of the crapiest organizations……..ever.
http://www.facebook.com/people/George-E-A-Wilcoxon/534635217 George E. A. Wilcoxon

Do you know how to keep two idiots entertained indefinitely?

Place Breitbart and Jealous in the same room and let them argue about racism.
‘Nough said.
Latin2

.

The time line reveals it all;

1 – Breibert had video on his site.

2 – NAACP denounce her.

3 – White House demands she resign.

4 – Fox News does the story

5 – Sherrod says that she was forced to resign because she was going to be on Glenn Beck.

6 – Glenn Beck DOES NOT have her on his show.

So apparently according to the time line Obama and the NAACP JUMPED THE GUN and had a rush to judgment.
Latin2

Snipzor said:
Whut? You mean they’re hammered with racism on a daily basis, they get death threats from pissed off right-wingers who just so happen to read Breitbart and watch Fox News, and they’re the bad ones? .

PROVE IT
Latin2

.

This idiot Been Jealous had the original NAACP conference tape and could have watched it BEFORE he condemned Sherrod. This shows how stupid this fool Jealous is. He jumped the gun and now blaming others.
Rescuedog

Latin2 said:
.

This idiot Been Jealous had the original NAACP conference tape and could have watched it BEFORE he condemned Sherrod. This shows how stupid this fool Jealous is. He jumped the gun and now blaming others.

True. We can’t forget that Ben Jealous KNEW ALL ALONG that Sherrod’s comments were being taken out of context, even as he condemned her and allowed the White House/USDA to do the same. On MONDAY (the day the video was released and the day before Jealous claimed to have been “snookered” by Breitbart and Fox), he issued the following statement (http://biggovernment.com/publius/2010/07/20/naacp-statement-on-resignation-of-shirley-sherrod/ ):

“We are appalled by her actions, just as we are with abuses of power against farmers of color and female farmers.

Her actions were shameful. While she went on to explain in the story that she ultimately realized her mistake, as well as the common predicament of working people of all races, she gave no indication she had attempted to right the wrong she had done to this man.

The reaction from many in the audience is disturbing. We will be looking into the behavior of NAACP representatives at this local event and take any appropriate action.”

(Emphasis mine)
thenev

Brietbart’s Monday post, first sentence: “Context is everything.”

Then he released the Shirley Sherrod footage. The NAACP was snookered, plain and simple.

(And let’s not pretend that lefties don’t engage in the politics of personal destruction, Clarence Thomas, Sarah Palin, Joe The Plumber, the entire Tea Party, Monica Lewinsky, The other 8 Clinton bimbos, GWB, Ronald Reagan, John McCain, Alberto Gonzales, Stephen Ambrose, William Buckley, etc, etc…)

oh, and let’s not pretend that the NAACP didn’t laugh and cheer when she showed her racism to the crowd.
eingriff

Were NAACP delegates snookered into applauding Sherrod’s remarks when she related how she discriminated against a white farmer because he was white?

And isn’t “white” a racist term? How about “pale item”, “pigmentally challenged”, or “fair”?
Phocus2

This ‘leader of the NAACP is creep and Obama’s boy. Call your enemy racist…then watch as he defends himself against your phony charge. The charges made against the Tea Party people are lies and beneath the standards of the old NAACP. Most Americans do not give a rats ass about the color of your skin…just the content of your character. This Jealous dude is totally lacking in the character department. He embarrasses his own race.
loupgarous

This man who slithered to the top of the NAACP by professing hatred of conservatism in general and Fox News in particular made a very serious decision which culminated in the professional destruction of an African-American woman because he was “snookered” by Fox News?

We’re supposed to believe that?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stephen-Downey/848095186 Stephen Downey

Please all the NAACP had to do was review their tapes of the event. I am quite sure neither fox news or breitbart stood there with a gun and made them go on public news broadcast and denouce her. He knows full well there is rasicm in the NAACP which is why he acted the way he did. Fox news said nothing more about this case then any other news network. And as far as the glenn beck aspect sherrod stated in a interview she was told to resign becuase she was going to be on gleen beck that night. Well she wasnt nore did beck report anything about it that night and the next night condemed the white house and the NAACP for their hasty reaction to a obviously edited video clip. Both the current administration and the naacp have to many skeletons in the closet they dont want out and they jumped the gun plain and simple.

As far as her wanting to sue get real sherrod point is your story was about how you were rasict untill you realised not all white folks were born with golden spoons in our mouths and are actually poor and in alot of cases worse off then people of color.

Before she can sue i think there should be a full review of every case she ever handled to see how many white folks she decided were not deserving of goverment help before she had this supposed change of her rasict heart and mind.
loupgarous

Ben Jealous’ name is proof of that old adage: “And here I will observe, by-the-bye, that you will often meet with characters in nature, so extravagant, that a discreet poet would not venture to set them upon the stage in their true and high colouring.” (from Lord Chesterfield’s “Advice to his Son”, 1748)