Posted by Senate Sketches # 1208
by
Senator Hank Sanders
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“Why did you write President Obama an open letter? Why didn’t you just send it to him privately?” The questions were genuine although there was clear disapproval in the voice. The questions were asked in good faith and I tried to answer in good faith.
The questions were about the two open letters that I wrote President Barack Obama concerning the Shirley Sherrod fiasco. Although it dominated the news day after day, I want to briefly explain the situation because some Sketches readers in Africa, Asia, etc. may not have seen the news. Also, some in the U. S. don’t watch the news.
Shirley Sherrod is a 62 year old Black woman from Georgia. She has been struggling to lift those cast down and include those left out for some 44 years. The lifting includes Whites as well as Blacks in spite of her father being viciously killed by a White farmer.
I have known Shirley Sherrod since 1971 through her work with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives and other organizations. My wife, Faya Rose Toure’, represented Shirley, her husband, and other Black farmers under the umbrella of New Communities, a non-profit corporation that lost nearly six thousand acres as a result of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) racial discrimination. Last year, New Communities was awarded $13 million in compensation.
In August 2009, Sherrod was appointed USDA State Director of Rural Development. She set about educating Georgia farmers and others about available resources and other issues. She spoke at many meetings as part of her mission.
Last week, a blogger named Andrew Brietbart edited a recorded a speech which Sherrod gave at a NAACP gathering. It was done in such a way that Sherrod appeared to be talking about discriminating against a White farmer in her USDA position. In fact, the incident happened in 1985 and was really about how she overcame the limitations of race by serving a White farmer. Brietbart placed this distorted recording on his web site and Fox News ran with it. USDA forced Sherrod to resign and the NAACP publicly condemned her. Neither looked at the entire recording before acting. It was a great injustice.
When USDA leaders finally viewed the recording, it was discovered that they were completely wrong. However, they decided not to reinstate Sherrod. After continuing pressure by various leaders, the media, and citizens, USDA decided to reconsider. Eventually they apologized and offered her a position in civil rights.
I wrote the first open letter urging President Obama to correct the injustice. If not, it would likely cause him considerable problems with African Americans, his most loyal base. I described it as a watershed moment that may result in the benefit of the doubt flowing from rather than to President Obama. When USDA offered Sherrod a different position, I wrote a second open letter stating that it was critical to reinstate her to the same position for which she was forced to resign.
Now, let me try to answer the questions with which I opened this Sketches. I wrote these two open letters for several reasons. First, I felt strongly that an open letter was the best way to get the message to the President. If I had sent the letter only to him, I feel like it would have gotten lost in the deluge of mail received every day. Second, I wanted to help educate the public about the issue by providing another perspective. Third, I wanted to further the dialogue on this issue because it has many implications. Fourth, and most important is, I just had a strong feeling that I should write about it.
Let me share with you this response to the first open letter: “Charles; See attached letter. I think Hank has this right. Knowing Hank, I do not think that this is an action that he took lightly. When Hank speaks, wise people do well to listen, intently. I would urge you to do your best to see that the President is personally made aware of Hank’s letter and the importance of giving very substantial consideration to the request put forth in the letter. I think that this is a very significant matter, and the President has been very poorly served by his representatives in the White House and senior members of USDA, including the Secretary. Best, Dennis. Without an open letter, this communication may not have found this route to the President.
A number of newspapers published the first open letter, including the New York Times. It was also on radio, television, and blogs, such as the Huffington Post. I think I provided another perspective to the public. I also received various other responses. One just said, “Excellent letter! I will post on Facebook.” In addition, I have had many discussions as a result of these letters. I think that open letters was the right thing to do. What do you say?
Now on to the Daily Diary.
Saturday – I worked from early to late. In between, I had lunch with Dr. James Mitchell of Wallace Community College Selma (WCCS) and made remarks at a wedding reception. I also talked with the following: Former White Hall Mayor John Jackson; Senator Roger Bedford; Radio Sunday School Co-host Dr. Margaret Hardy; Dr. Vicie Larkin of Selma; Dr. Chudy Okoye of Selma; Arthur and Lorraine Capers of Selma; Dallas County District Judge Bob Armstrong and his wife Ann; and Senator Lowell Barron.
Sunday – I did Radio Sunday School with Dr. Margaret Hardy, Radio Education with Perry County School Superintendent John Heard, and Sunday Review. I participated in Sunday School and shared dinner with Dr. Fannie McKenzie and Bobby McKenzie. I talked with Allen Turner, Jr. of Greene County, Kirk Wheeler of Chattanooga, TN, Prince Chestnut of Selma and Frank Chestnut of Selma School Board. I participated in a conference call with several senators and worked into the night.
Monday – I still made a 7:30 a.m. Team Selma Meeting in spite of my two mile morning walk. I also talked with the following: Businessman George Alford; Wayne Vardaman of the Selma Centre for Commerce; Sally Howell of the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB); Senate Majority Leader Zeb Little; Menzo Driscoll of the Craig Airport and Industrial Authority; Reporter Al Benn of the Montgomery Advertiser; Greene County School Superintendent Isaac Atkins; Greene County School Board Members Elzora Fluker, Leo Branch, and Lester Brown; Dr. Carol P. Zippert of Alabama New South Coalition (ANSC); Dr. Ernest Okeke of Selma; Sharon Wheeler of the Sparks for Governor Campaign; and Representative Alvin Holmes. I went to Greene County where I talked with several leaders and on the way back I visited Teresa Burroughs in Greensboro who had knee replacement and Algie Brantley in a Selma nursing home. I worked into the night on various issues.
Tuesday – I had a leadership breakfast with several leaders and talked with the following: Erica Lee of Taiwan; Radio Personality Rev. Franklin Fortier; Senate President Pro Tem Rodger Smitherman; Lobbyist Joe Fine; Lobbyist John Teague; Democratic Gubernatorial Nominee Ron Sparks; Carolyn Wheeler of Chattanooga, TN and Teresa Tinney of Atlanta; LaBarron Boone of Montgomery; and Sharon Calhoun of Montgomery. I went to Montgomery where I had lunch with Joyce Bigbee of the Legislative Fiscal Office (LFO), met with a group concerning gubernatorial politics, and appeared on a public radio program. I returned to Selma and worked into the night.
Wednesday – I had breakfast with Malika Fortier to discuss leadership and talked with the following: Selma Interim School Superintendent Dr. Donald Jefferson; Lowndes County Commission Chair Charlie King; Senator Ted Little; Ralph Paige of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives (the Federation); Marilyn Taylor of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office; Mashellda Moore of LFO; Senator Vivian Davis Figures; Senate Deputy President Pro Tem Wendell Mitchell; Louise Fenn of the Alabama Senate Staff; Consultant Rick Heartsill; Lobbyist Joe Fine; and Senator Phil Poole. I went to Montgomery where I had five meetings including one of the Alabama Legislative Council. I returned to Selma to have dinner with a special person and worked nearly until midnight. I also wrote and distributed an open letter to President Obama about the Shirley Sherrod termination.
Thursday – I handled many matters and made remarks at a very special reception held in my honor. I talked with lots of leaders including the following: Selma Businessmen Jim Hodo and Mike Reynolds; Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard; Democratic Nominees for Alabama House of Representatives Darrio Melton and David Colston; Dallas County Commissioners Curtis Williams and Connell Towns; Sheila Okoye of Concordia College; Carolyn Ballard of Selma; Dr. Leroy Maxwell and Juanda Maxwell; and Senator Quinton Ross. I worked into the night.
Friday – I had breakfast with Dr. James Mitchell and Alisa Summerville. I did an interview with Sophia Bracey Harris about her role in Alabama child care and had lunch with Anita Archie and Dr. James Mitchell. I talked with the following: Gloria Pompey of Selma; Filmmaker Michael Hersmark; Tiffany Sanders of Bay Minette; Ola Morrow of Maplesville; Arlester McBride of Huntsville; Shelley Fearson and Jeanette Thomas of ANSC; Greene County Businessman Luther “Nat” Winn; Senator Lowell Barron; and the Governor’s Finance Director Bill Newton. I wrote a second open letter to President Barack Obama concerning Shirley Sherrod and worked into the night.
EPILOGUE – “Lean not unto your own understanding,” is a passage from the Bible. I used to vehemently reject this concept. Now I am willing to lean on understandings much higher than mine. They often come in the form of strong feelings.
NOTE: Sen. Hank Sanders (D – Selma) has written weekly columns for papers in his legislative district for over twenty years. They are not available online from the rural, weekly papers which publish them. This column is provided by Sen. Sanders’ office to Doc’s Political Parlor for inclusion in the Daily Headlines.
