By Brett Michale Dykes
It was an odd moment in the annals of thwarted public closure. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, when he scheduled a media appearance with former USDA official Shirley Sherrod, was plainly hoping for a moment of emotionally compelling vindication, to help put the embarrassment of Sherrod’s forced resignation behind him and his agency. Instead, the news conference yielded no news: Sherrod said she’s not planning to resume work at the USDA, at least for now.
Sherrod, you’ll recall, was forced out of her post last month after a political firestorm sparked by what turned out to be a misleadingly edited video of her giving a speech on racial reconciliation.
After meeting with her former boss behind closed doors to consider the offer of a new full-time position, Sherrod went before the media Tuesday to announce she’d turned Vilsack’s offer down. You can watch the full video of the Sherrod-Vilsack conference below:
Explaining her decision to reporters, Sherrod said that she was “tempted to take” the position, but isn’t ready to go back to work full time. “The secretary did push really hard for me to stay and work from inside, but I look at what happened to me,” Sherrod said. “I know he’s apologized, and I accepted it. I know a new process is in place, but I don’t want to test it. I think I can be helpful to him and the department if I just take a little break.”
She did not rule out the possibility of one day returning to work for the department, and she said she’ll remain active in discussions of race in America.
“I’ve had many, many requests from around the country from people who want to hear from me,” Sherrod said. “I’d like to hear from them, because I’d like to know — I’d like to hear about efforts that are being made in communities that are dealing with racism and discrimination, and I’d really like to highlight them. … That’s what this country needs. We’re a great country, and there are people who care. We’re hearing too much from those who would want to point out the negative right now, and I really would like to concentrate on the positive.”
Asked by a reporter if she plans to go forward with plans to sue conservative muckraker Andrew Breitbart — the man who posted the doctored video of her speech online — Sherrod replied: “I really don’t want to discuss that right now,” Sherrod said. “I do think a suit will be forthcoming, but I don’t want to discuss it at this time.”
Vilsack then hugged Sherrod behind the podium and the two exited the room.
