| A person's reputation is important and valuable, | | | | employee even became friends. (The man even |
| and must be protected. In July, 2010 a U.S. | | | | came to her defense in televised interviews.) The |
| Department of Agriculture employee, Shirley | | | | real story was not one of racism, discrimination, |
| Sherrod, was all over the nightly news, with | | | | and unfair treatment, instead it is an inspiring tale |
| allegations of racism. Even the NAACP denounced | | | | of moral and ethical redemption and victory. |
| and repudiated her. Shortly after the controversy | | | | Instead of silently walking away with her head |
| surfaced, Ms. Sherrod was summarily fired by | | | | held down, Shirley Sherrod confronted her |
| USDA. In fact, she was driving to a meeting when | | | | accusers. She spoke on national television. She |
| she received a series of calls, one of which | | | | told her side of the story. She questioned her |
| indicated the "White House" wanted her out of | | | | accusers motives. She fought for her reputation. |
| there. Under extreme pressure Ms. Sherrod | | | | She prevailed. She received public apologies from |
| submitted her resignation. All of this took place in | | | | White House spokesperson (Robert Gibbs) and |
| a little over one day. It turns out it was all one | | | | was offered another position (probably at a higher |
| giant, public, misunderstanding, with statements | | | | level) at USDA. |
| taken out of context, facts in complete | | | | Was There a Happy Ending? |
| contradiction to the reports, and a much bigger | | | | The damage has been done. Some people will only |
| story. | | | | recall the allegations. The government looks bad |
| How Could it Go this Far (this Fast)? | | | | from mid-level, all the way to the President. Civil |
| Ms. Sherrod is a respected manager, a positive | | | | Rights protectors (like the NAACP) may jump on |
| "face" for the government, and represents her | | | | the "bandwagon" and fail to protect the interests |
| employer well. One day she was competent, | | | | of those they're in place to represent. The media |
| highly regarded, and secure. The next day her | | | | reputation, as low as it is, suffered even more. |
| name was in all the national media, she left her | | | | There was plenty of disgraceful and unwarranted |
| job in disgrace, and was unemployed; almost a | | | | conduct to go around. Only through the courage |
| national pariah. | | | | of the victim (Ms. Sherrod) were corrective |
| Ms. Sherrod is a black (African-American) woman. | | | | actions taken. |
| She was alleged to have discriminated against a | | | | Lessons to be Learned |
| white farmer- some twenty years ago. | | | | There are many lessons to be learned from this |
| Unfortunately, Ms. Sherrod recently recounted her | | | | incident, here are some: |
| experience, which occurred some decades earlier, | | | | --You may be falsely accused |
| at a public meeting. Like almost everything these | | | | --Your words can be taken out of context |
| days, her speech was videotaped. When an edited | | | | --People will jump to unfair conclusions |
| version of her comments were leaked to | | | | --Your integrity may be impugned |
| conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart it set the | | | | --Despite your views, you may be viewed as |
| stagefor a rapid sequence of events. | | | | racist, sexist, ageist, homophobic, or having some |
| What REALLY Happened? | | | | other prejudice |
| Ms. Sherrod did have professional contact and | | | | --Your actions or words could be mis-interpreted, |
| interaction with the white farmer. The farmer | | | | taken out of context, or falsely reported |
| was in financial difficulty and was about to lose his | | | | --Your employer may act without all the facts |
| farm through foreclosure. Ms. Sherrod was called | | | | --The innocent are frequently accused, maligned, |
| to help. She initially felt the man was acting | | | | or convicted for perceived misdeeds |
| "superior" because of his Caucasian race. Because | | | | --You could end up on the nightly news (for |
| of her perception, she even considered not helping | | | | something you did, or DID NOT do) |
| him as much as she was able to. In the end, her | | | | --You need to protect, and fight for, your |
| ethical and moral nature triumphed over those | | | | reputation |
| baser instincts, and she offered full assistance and | | | | When employers, professional colleagues, or the |
| support. The farmer's farm was saved, everyone | | | | public think of you, will they think of an Edsel or a |
| was happy; the farmer and the government | | | | Mercedes? |