No room for this in America
Goforth's "historical keepsake photo"
America has neither the time nor money to deal with people who disseminate racial hatred. Why should we spend time obsessing over backward, ignorant individuals who have been taught to look at others as stereotypes rather than as real people? We have much more important things to do if America is going to move out of this economic recession and grow as a world superpower. We don’t have time to worry about the James Von Brunns of the world.
Speaking of recession, America certainly doesn’t have the money to deal with such low-watt bulbs. If racist overtures ever become offenses punishable by imprisonment (as civil liberties groups appear to want), we’d be burdening taxpayers by increasing the prison population. Convicts don’t get payday loans in West Maryland and fast cash loans in jail, but they do get healthcare and various other basic amenities on our dollar. That’s the American way, no matter how much taxpayers kick and scream.
Sherri Goforth would be in jail if it were up to the NAACP
I don’t support racism. I believe that Sherri Goforth should have lost her job due to her racist E-mail depicting President Obama as a pair of “spook white” eyes against a coal-black background (see the “historical keepsake photo”). That she didn’t lose her job is shocking to me. But let’s pick up the story as reported by CNN…
Tennessee’s Democratic Party Chairman Chip Forrester wants Sherri Goforth, aide to Republican Sen. Diane Black, out on the street. Black is the leader of the Tennessee Senate Republican Caucus.Goforth’s E-mail depiction of President Obama’s as two “cartoonish white eyes” alongside America’s previous 43 presidents is just too injurious to be met with only a reprimand, says Forrester. Goforth sent the image to fellow GOP staff members, but claimed later in her “defense” that she was sorry she had sent it “to the wrong people.”
Back away from the smelly carcass
According to the Tennessean newspaper, there is a note on the E-mail that claims it was “paid for by the Tennessee Republican Party.” Not surprisingly, GOP officials denied they produced it. The White House has yet to comment, probably because on their level, racist jokes, while harmful, pale in comparison to issues like war, healthcare and the economy.
However, the Tennessee State legislature has to police their own. And Sen. Black failed to do that. A reprimand will hardly change the ideologies Sherri Goforth appears to hold. Truly in this scenario, being fired is what hits where it hurts most.
Black was most concerned about covering her own behind. “I want to be sure that everyone understands that the communication was sent without my knowledge. It absolutely does not represent the beliefs or opinions of my office. I want to be very clear about that,” she said. On the advice of the state government HR office, Black issued a verbal and written reprimand. “If this should ever occur again, she will be terminated,” said Black.
Abusing the public trust
Reports indicate that Goforth has served her state for over 20 years and has had a clean record up to this time. For her part, she attempted to apologize, but she doesn’t appear to understand the real issue here. When you’re at work, you’re on taxpayer time. If you’re spending that time forwarding racist E-mails, you’re betraying the public trust. It is assumed you are doing important, state-related work when you’re on the job. “I’m very sick about it, and it’s one of those things I can’t change or take back” doesn’t change the fact that it happened. Voters and taxpayers alike deserve better.
“Is this indicative of what Senate Republicans think about our commander-in-chief?” asked Forrester. “I am calling on Sen. Black to reject this racist smear and fire this staffer who, on state government time, on state government computers, using a state government E-mail account, launched this bigoted attack on our president. Keeping her on the staff would send the message that this type of behavior is condoned by the Senate Republican Caucus.”
Tennessee needs better PR
Other state Democrats are speaking out against Sherri Goforth’s actions as well. Rep. Johnny Shaw said “I don’t think a reprimand is enough. I think this lady needs to go. I don’t think she should be a part of the people who represent the state of Tennessee.” Re. John Deberry Jr. told CNN Radio that “the last thing we need in the state of Tennessee is to send out the impression and the image that we are still stuck in some backwater mentality and culture that feels it’s OK to depict the president of the United States in that fashion.”
As Deberry’s statement indicates, this isn’t the first time Tennessee Republicans have shamed themselves, even recently. There was the “Birds of a Feather” direct-mail message that featured pictured black crows with the heads of Barack Obama and Tennessee Rep. Nathan Vaughn (who is black). There was also Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman’s song “Barack the Magic Negro,” which Saltsman sent to RNC members during his bid for RNC leadership. Now there’s Sherri Goforth’s E-mail. Grow up, Tennessee. If you do not endorse racism, let Goforth go home.
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