Shirley Sherrod: Smeared by Blogger

When did you learn that a conservative blogger was calling you a racist?

Five days before it hit the news. I was in a meeting in Atlanta and received an email saying: “You should be ashamed of yourself for refusing to help a white farmer.” I emailed that individual back and said someone had misrepresented my words.

But you were asked to resign.

I was driving through Atlanta when the deputy undersecretary for USDA rural development called and said, “The White House wants you to resign.” She said, “Glenn Beck said you were the subject of his show tonight and that did it.” And I told her, “I want you to understand that you have not heard the last from me on this.” And then I pulled to the side of the road and typed a letter of resignation on my BlackBerry.

Did you feel any better after you spoke to President Obama?

No. He spent a lot of time trying to convince me that he was well aware of the issues I had been talking about. And I said, “No, I don’t think you understand them the way I do.” He was saying that I should read his book and then I’d see that he does.

How has your life changed?

Well, I’m not employed anymore.