Breitbart's Landmark Video And A Genuinely Post-Racial America

An excerpt from the NAACP's statement on the resignation of Shirley Sherrod via Big Government in the wake of a potentially landmark video released by Andrew Breitbart. The USDA is now considering taking her back. If one is willing to step back from the now emotionally charged case, I believe the facts are clear. Racist, or not, Sherrod should in no way be taken back at the USDA. Also, in broader context, if we open our minds to it and remain strong, the video first exposed by Andrew Breitbart at Big Government may well serve as a landmark on the road toward a genuinely post-racial America.

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

In both the full video and a 3 minute excerpt I produced, Sherrod labels the entire Republican Party racist, claiming they simply can't stand to see a black man in the White House. She also characterizes totally legitimate political opposition to ObamaCare from average citizens as mean and ultimately racist in the end. Had some previous Bush appointee called the Democrat Party a bunch of race-baiting hucksters, or poverty pimps - putting black citizens in that camp, too - there is no way said official would be able to keep their position. Yet, that is precisely what Sherrod did, only it was Republicans and her political opponents she so openly smeared.

The standards are ugliness, ignorance and divisiveness. There should be absolutely no doubt that those are the standards to which a Bush appointee would be held. I see no valid reason to not hold Sherrod to the very same standards, as well.

As far as the original video being a landmark on the road to a truly post-racial America, here is my argument. I believe many of us know where the real racially divisive force comes from in American politics today. Progressive Left Democrats and organizations like the NAACP thrive on racially divisive politics. What Sherrod accused the elites of, divide and conquer, is precisely what the Left in America has been doing for years when it comes to black Americans.

While Democrats are quick to condemn Republicans for what was once called the Southern Strategy, they do nothing to shed light on their own racially divisive politics in play now consistently for the last fifty years. And they will not abandon it until it no longer works, or they are consistently and relentlessly called out for it.

That seems to be a decidedly difficult challenge for many white Americans and especially Republicans on Capitol Hill. They have shown absolutely no real leadership on the cause of racial harmony in America. While certainly not racist, that much is true. Only a united, even if mostly white, majority of Americans forcefully speaking out against the constant race cards and racial divisiveness of the Leftist Democrats can begin to turn that sad state of affairs around.

If we are willing to see Breitbart's original video in that larger context, I do indeed believe it, not Shirley Sherrod, not the NAACP, nor Barack Obama, could be a landmark, a turning point on the road forward to a more genuinely post-racial America.

I believe most all Americans, white and black, would truly like to see that America one day. It will not be easy and it will not be for the timid. It takes courage to stand up and yell back when you know you are going to be shouted down and be falsely charged with racism yourself, as incredibly strong forces combine to undermine both you and your character at every turn.

I believe shouting back against the same old racially divisive politics of old is precisely what Andrew Breitbart did in releasing this recent video. And I'm proud to stand solidly by him in the fight. I only wish more good people on the Right had the judgment and vision to understand the larger dynamics and ultimate worthiness of an admittedly very difficult battle. I believe it's a worthwhile fight, one it seems America must have if we are ever to get to the genuinely post-racial future every American should want.

Comments

[Chris]

You're more optimistic than I am. The media will change the meme from what you want to how fast this entitled bureaucrat should get her job back. She's entitled, don't you know? And they won't dig to find about her history as a racial greivance monster, either.

The question is now quickly becoming, will she accept? Of course she will! It's a government sinecure. No accountability and nothing is expected. Sadly, I think that is how the history of this will go down. And, oh yeah, we won't remember the USDA and the Admin throwing her under the bus, but rather how AB didn't release (have?) the full video.

[wtfci]

Dan,

I have a question. When Ms. Sherrod tells the NAACP audience about one of the mechanisms used by the "elite" to divide poor people Ms. Sherrod points to laws prohibiting whites from marrying blacks.

Is that version of history a "Marxist" version of history?

I'm troubled by comments Ms. Sherrod made to the NAACP. In particular, her views on how she admits she cannot treat North Georgians the same as she does South Georgians. I also have reservations with her general views on big government subsidizing capital growth.

Thanks.

[Dan Riehl]

Frankly, wtfci, I don't think Sherrod has a cohesive, enlightend view of history one could call anything, other than now progressive leftist talking points. It sounded like a real hodgepodge of anecdotes that, in some ways, made no sense. In her view, slavery never existed until after blacks were here living harmoiously with whites. I could actually figure out what she was saying in the regard, at least not how it relates to reality.

[Ronan]

Breitbart's vile smear attempt failed miserably.

[Ronan's Mom]

My vile child has failed miserably. Sorry, people.

[Ragspierre]

http://hindenblog1.blogspot.com/2010/07/burn-other-sherrod-video-nails-her.html

Dan's video is featured.

"As for Breitbart's publication of that original video, and whether it demonstrated racism within the NAACP, the answer lies in the "call and response" of Sherrod's speech, not so much in the truncated content of Sherrod's story. From that, from the same active approval of Sheila Jackson-Lee's remarks, and from dozens of other actualities, the answer is a resounding YES, there is racism alive and well in the NAACP!"

[Mike]

The racist right has reached an all-time low on this one. I think that even most mainstream Republicans will be sick when they understand what Breitbart and his fellow scum are up to.

You claim that America needs to "move on" from racism. That is exactly what Shirley Sherrod was descrbing to that audience. Your reward for her? A slap in the face and screaming "stay in your place". Even the poor white farmer she helped is willing to move on to a "post racial" America.
But not you and your ilk. It is disgusting.

[King Samir Shabazz (D-black panther)]

You tell 'em cracker mike!!

[itsMike2Cents]

Man..Dan, this is one blowhard post.
This whole thing is an epic fail for Brietbart. And you wanna hitch your little wagon to it...
His little stunt is being ridiculed from almost every quarter, save for you guys down in the bunker.

[King Samir Shabazz (D-black panther)]

You tell 'em cracker 2cent, you tell 'em cracker boy!!

[nishner]

"Landmark Video". Let me help: "Landmark Video Smear"

There, fixed.

[HT]

Brietbart is a hero. He has turned the table on the liberal establishment by using their propaganda methods against them. Everyone is talking about the NAACP's racism instead of berating the Tea Party about racism. His video shows the NAACP hypocrisy on Race issues and the hypocrisy of the MSM constantly reporting out of context stories about conservatives, i.e. Congressmen being spit on and called N word, etc., even though they know it's not true.

[itsMike2Cents]

HT -
No, that's not happening at all.
If you actually spend anytime out of this and other bunkers, what everyone is actually discussing is what a dick Brietbart is and how there is no fair rationalization or justification for this.
He had an agenda, and he used an edited tape to achieve it. Many people who originally jumped on his giddy bandwagon have now expressed profound regret for having done so. Only the crazy right is defending him at all (I'm sure Palin's trying to invent a word to express support as we speak).
That's why this is SUCH a great moment for all of us who find the Limbaugh/Brietbart/Malkin world so utterly without merit or ethics. This reveals it as such. Maybe not big enough to send them on their way in a McCarthy-esque 'have you no shame' way, but it's a beginning.
(I know, you guys like McCarthy too.)

[Barack Obama]

LOL, Mike! Sarah Palin had better not try to invent "epantsipation". That's my word!

[King Samir Shabazz (D-black panther)]

Yeah,, you tell 'em 2cent cracker, you tell 'em cracker boy!!

[labwrs]

"As far as the original video being a landmark on the road to a truly post-racial America, here is my argument. I believe many of us know where the real racially divisive force comes from in American politics today. Progressive Left Democrats and organizations like the NAACP thrive on racially divisive politics. What Sherrod accused the elites of, divide and conquer, is precisely what the Left in America has been doing for years when it comes to black Americans."

AMEN to this. I simply can NOT understand the reflex of MANY on "our side" to apologize and call for her reinstatement. I am VERY PRO Breitbart's response. It is TIME we stopped being so "NICE". PLAY ON THEIR TERMS!

[HT]

2cents what the are you doing in this bunker?

Brietbart is a hero because he is using typical liberal tactics against liberals. There is nothing more pleasing than hearing a liberal whine.

[M. Simon]

Andrew Breitbart put out a video. The NAACP acted without thinking. The fault of course is Andrew's. And the really, really, smart Democrats. How could this happen? Andrew is a dumb Republican.

It is all so unfair. and delicious.

[Ragspierre]

Who is it that is writing racial discrimination into law and regulation right how?

Hmmmm...????

[nishner]

"Andrew Breitbart put out a video."

"Andrew Breitbart put out a piece of propaganda."

There, fixed for you.

[tom swift]

The racist left is certainly exploding over this. Good, couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch. But there's little danger that the racist left will reform itself, and I don't see any post-racial Promised Land on the horizon. We'll continue to have a problem with racists in America as long as the Democratic party thinks that promotion of racism is a vote-winner.

[BR]

Quote: "Andrew Breitbart put out a piece of propaganda."

Filmed and produced by .... the NAACP itself. Will Political Correctness still be able to turn reality inside out, after this?

[Gary]

The reality is worse. I'd almost rather have a racist in a position of purse-string power than a redistributionist.

[Maggie M. Thornton]

Today, the Obama DOJ dropped criminal charges against Alberto Gonzales and the Bush DOJ. In doing so, they said what the Bush DOJ did was politically incorrect, but not criminal. While there were 9 attorneys fired, David Iglesias was the test case. Iglesias was fired after the New Mexico Republican party said he was "soft on voter fraud."

So, the current DOJ says it is politically incorrect to take action against voter fraud. After the New Black Panther voter intimidation case, and learning that the Civil Rights Div. of the DOJ will refuse to prosecute those frauding and intimidating at the polls, because after all, doing so does nothing to increase voter turnout, we can assume there will be nothing post racial from this administration.

I mention this in the context of Shirley Sherrod, because how ironic is it that protecting against voter fraud is politically incorrect - translated: racist.

If the House Democrat Caucus, the NAACP, Al Sharpton and Jeremiah Wright have anything to say about, Blacks will stay under their thumb and under the bus. They've been there so long, they don't even recognize the territory - with one exception and that is the Blacks and Whites who share neighborhoods, Wal-Marts, churches and schools.

Many of us have felt no racial tension for years because we simply respect those like ourselves who are minding their own business, growing their families, attending PTA and tending the BBQ in the backyard with friends. Many, many of us, Black and White, feel no racism and are sick of those who insist on it for political and financial gain.

Sherrod was politically appointed, worked as a public servant and received her pay from the American taxpayer. I wonder if she has ever held a private sector job. I can sum her up by her own words about those of us who oppose ObamaCare. She sees the opponents as racists, which is ridiculous. I see her as a racist and I'd rather not be paying her salary.

[NFL Jerseys]

So, the current DOJ says it is politically incorrect to take action against voter fraud. After the New Black Panther voter intimidation case, and learning that the Civil Rights Div. of the DOJ will refuse to prosecute those frauding and intimidating at the polls, because after all, doing so does nothing to increase voter turnout, we can assume there will be nothing post racial from this administration.