Shirley Sherrod Turns Down New USDA Job Offer

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: In The News ,; Obama Administration

(Credit: AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Former Department of Agriculture employee Shirley Sherrod, who was hastily fired last month after a conservative website misleadingly portrayed her as racist, announced today that she has turned down an offer to return to the department full time.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said today that Sherrod will in the future work with the department in a consulting capacity to help it improve its civil rights performance. Sherrod said she was tempted to take the position in the Office of Advocacy and Outreach, but she could not accept it "at this point, with all that has happened."

Sherrod previously worked in rural development for the USDA when conservative web publisher Andrew Breitbart released a video clip of remarks she made at a recent NAACP conference. The edited video misleadingly gave the impression Sherrod admitted to discriminating against a white farmer. Sherrod was immediately pressed to resign without an opportunity to explain her remarks.

Sherrod blamed the White House for her resignation, but Vilsack said soon after that he took full responsibility for the undeserved firing. He maintained today that he spoke to no one from the White House before asking for Sherrod's resignation.

"I disappointed the president, I disappointed this administration, I disappointed the country, I disappointed Shirley," Vilsack said, "And I have to live with that."

He added that the whole incident could create "an opportunity for the country to have the kind of conversation Shirley thinks we should have," as well as put a spotlight on efforts the USDA is making in the area of civil rights.

Sherrod said she has had many requests to speak across the country, and she would like to "hear about efforts being made in communities that are dealing with issues of racism."

"We're hearing too much from those who would want to point out the negative right now, and I would like to concentrate on the positive," she said.

Sherrod confirmed that a lawsuit against Breitbart will likely be "forthcoming," but she declined to give any details about her plans to file suit against him.

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by Ricohenry7 January 4, 2012 7:19 PM EST: This is my approach to fighting the EEOC. 157 Congressmen voted not to fund the EEOC. I'm writing a bill and my intent is to give it to one of them. We did it in college and lobbyist do it all the time. I will get the support of laid off teachers, policemen, and others who lost their jobs while the government funds an agency that not only hinders enforcement but is corrupt and unnecessary. I have asked churches to allow the use of their billboards because the American press, print and electronic is complicit in this abuse and refuses to inform the American people.An Act:To repeal SEC. 2000e-4. [Section 705](a) of the "Civil Rights Act of 1964" and all subchapters related to this section. TO: confer jurisdiction from the EEOC and upon the district courts of the United States to provide injunctive relief against discrimination in public accommodations. TO: Authorize individual and classes to institute suits to protect constitutional rights in public facilities and public education. TO: Change Rules of Evidence to comply with federal and state rules of civil procedure. To: Create a commission to investigate charges made against the EEOC. TO: make restitutions to all victims whose rights were violate by the EEOC.Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Civil Rights Act of 1964".Challenging people is what makes a group strong. I welcome insults because I know Ignorance is the biggest problem Black people have. Not ignorance because a person is stupid but ignorance because they have been mislead. We need to know who will cling to something and refuse to change their minds regardless of the evidence. This is the weeding out process. Believe me; those who are here for the wrong will crash and burn. And, the rest of us will be stronger.My enemy is the EEOC. I'm not motivated to end their abuse because they are corrupt and morally bankrupt. I do so because people seeking justice at the EEOC have been blindsided and their lives have been wrecked. People have lost everything including their lives. In addition to that, men, women and children have sacrificed their lives to give us an EEOC. I am very aware that some of those making the sacrifices are still coming home in body bags. If I am to have the strength to take on this moral crusade, history must be right. I take nothing away from Dr. King. But, Hyperbole should not create history. Those of us who were part of the Nationalist movement believe we were right; and the inability of the masses of Blacks to pull themselves up by their bootstraps proves us right; history proves us right. By Jimmy Pratt; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 January 4, 2012 9:04 AM EST: Promoting Change in the Federal Sector Through Advocacy, Activism and Accountability
By Tanya Ward Jordan

From a race relations outlook, government has advanced beyond the segregated offices of the Woodrow Wilson Presidency and the overt bigotry practiced during the Jim Crow era. In 2009, America inaugurated its first African-American President, Barack Obama, to head the executive branch of government and to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Despite this milestone in America's racial history, the majority of highly qualified and educated African-Americans await opportunities to "fairly" compete for, obtain, and excel in federal government jobs.

Many blacks hired by the federal government, our nation's largest employer, suffer reprisal, including termination after challenging workplace civil rights violations. The U.S. Department of Labor reported that black unemployment surged to 16.7% in August 2011, its highest level since 1984. In the same month,white unemployment was 8%, an improvement from the 8.8% level of a year earlier.

Most blacks, who have managed to hold on to their federal positions, remain wedged in low-level non-supervisory jobs. According to the Office of Personnel Management's FY 2010 Federal Employment Opportunity Recruitment Plan, only 6.7% of blacks served at senior pay levels. By contrast, 81.7% of whites served at senior pay levels.

A Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) report issued in 2009 entitled Fair and Equitable Treatment Progress Made and Challenges Remaining disclosed that the median salary of black and white employees has widened significantly over the last decades. According to MSPB, "minorities have lower pay grades even after controlling for education, experience another advancement related factors" (p.60).

Despite the passage of the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation (NOFEAR) Act of 2002, a federal law that seeks to discourage federal managers and supervisors from engaging in unlawful discrimination and retaliation, discrimination persists. The statistics disclose it. The studies expose it. The Obama administration, which dodges the topic of managerial accountability and "institutional racism" within in its own ranks, knows it. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) FY2010 Annual Report on the Federal Workforce, black employees remain below the average government pay grade. During fiscal 2010, 17,583 federal employees and job applicants filed discrimination complaints, a 3.8% increase from the previous year. Most glaring was the fact that Black/African-American led the "race" basis for employment complaints filed.

Civil rights groups are seeking more transparency with regard to how effectively agency officials resolve employment claims. To spur federal managerial accountability, initiatives are underway to expose public officials who fail to resolve agency complaint activity expeditiously, at the lowest level of the administrative level and in the best interest of the taxpayer. One such initiative is the creation of a Responsible Management Officials (RMO) page. The RMO page lists persons "named" in employment discrimination court proceedings, published articles, or administrative case proceedings. It is key to note that not all management officials cited on the RMO page have been proven guilty of alleged acts of discrimination or reprisal. However, complaints referenced had withstood agency attempts to quash them at the administrative level or in court, and were considered to have merit.

The Coalition For Change, Inc. (C4C) -- C4C is a volunteer non-pro
..; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 October 14, 2011 11:04 AM EDT: I Ricardo E. Jones Sr, former Senior Federal Investigator of EEOC-NYDO from 4/9/01 to 4/1/10 have direct and indirect knowledge of Federal Investigators, Federal Trial attorneys and managers of the EEOC who have taken money/gifts and/or positions with law firms to fix and throw investigation for personal gain or on orders from Comissioners of the EEOC (Vice Chair Leslie Silverman,Esq). Neomi Earp-campbell while Acting Chair of the EEOC had cases fixed for friends at law firms. This information was given to me by Federal Investigator Sean Oliveria formerly of the EEOC-NYDO. Former Vice Chair Leslie Silverman Esq, fixed decisions for her present employer Proskauer Rose law firm while she was a commissioner at the EEOC. This information was given to my by Nancy Boyd then Deputy Director of the EEOC-NYDO and Nora Curtin Trial attorney/former regional attorney miami-EEOC. Ms. Silverman was a former staff member of the senate sub-committee that over-saw the EEOC. She currently is using her contacts to fix complaints and issues at the EEOC of Proskauer Rose law firm Washington DC. Assistant General Counsel for the EEOC James Lee is a sexual preditor who has sexually harassed many females at the EEOC over his tenure. This information was given to me by Lois Bramble legal clerk at the EEOC-NYDO. Luis Graziano Trial Attorney at EEOC-NYDO has taken money to fix decisions and conciliation at the EEOC. He's a close friend of Assistant General Counsel James Lee of EEOC-Hq's and is also on the take with Graziano. Nancy Boyd fixed decisions for Leslie Silverman at the EEOC. Nancy Boyd is also a close friend of and ex-subordenate of Enforcement Manager Electra Yourke of EEOC-NYDO who worked for Elleanor Holmes-Norton former head of EEOC and NY City Commission of human rights. Ms. Yourke is a racist bigot known by all in NYC and Washington DC. This information was given to me by Ricardo Cuevas Esq and admin judge at the EEOC-NYDO. Clyde Lo-chin Mediator EEOC-Tampa FL, received a bribe from Paul Salvator Esq for Proskauer Rose law firm representing Ralph Loren Polo and now working with former EEOC vice chair Leslie Silverman in Washington DC. This information was given to me by my friend Clyde Lo-cin Mediator at Tampa FL EEOC.

This information is just the tip of the iceberg. The above information was in my sealed law suit. Please google Ricardo Jones EEOC to read more on the above.; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 December 20, 2010 7:01 AM EST: The truth about corruption and fraud at the EEOC.

Alyssa Rosenberg, your article in Government Excutive.com didn't come close to the truth. Many at the EEOC are in fear for the only means to do their toes, nails and hair. They sell their own people out daily for the aforementioned. The small fish do it for just their salaries. The Managers and Attorneys receive other forms of payment from top law firms and corporations/companies. If anyone thinks the EEOC isn't corrupt then they're blind or corrupt themselves. Someone has to stop this corruption. The question is whom??? CBS was impersonated by EEOC-OIG co-conspirator who pretended to be an investigative journalist. What does that mean??? Government Rogue agency (EEOC) will use any underhanded trick to cover-up their illegal practices. Journalists willing to cover-up for EEOC and/or not report the truth about the EEOC. Umemployment is going to raise and the termination will be done illegally with the EEOC's help!!!

We must stop this Rogue agency and the check and balance agencies: OSC, MSPB, FLRA and DOJ office of civil rights.; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 December 11, 2010 7:17 PM EST: Everyone please contact U.S.Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. Subcommettee on Employment and Workplace Safety: Chairwoman Senator Patty Murray (D)Washington State, Senator Johnny Isakson (R)State of Georgia (Major problem in ATL with Honda manufactoring ATL and EEOC in ATL.Need investigation not by EEOC OIG of the Honda problem. Christopher Dodd (D) Senator CT, Tom Harkin (D)IA he's an advocate for dismissing all complaints for small business view Jacqueline Berrien Senate conformation hearing (Google same), Barbara Mikulski (D) MD I sent her all the info and she's done nothing but lip service. She has an over the hill view on the whole issues. Hillary Clintons replacement in Senate (D) NY Clinton was also giving the info, Sherrod Brown (D) OH also giving the infor. Representative Yvette Clarke (D)11 Brooklyn NY I give her the documents and she has direct knowledge (Cousin who worked at EEOC-NYDO. She done very little college roomate/friend of chair EEOC Jacqueline Berrien. Emails, Texts, Letters and phone calls. Need reform of check and balances agencies: OSC, FLRA, MSPB and DOJ offfice of civil rights all corrupt and not reviewing the corrupt EEOC.; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 December 10, 2010 6:18 AM EST: This is a MOVEMENT OF ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE TIRED OF RACISM, CLASSISM, SEXISM AND THE RULING CLASS RUNNING THIS COUNTRY INTO THE GROUND. PROSKAUER ROSE/JACKSON LEWIS AND OTHERS DON'T RUN THIS COUNTRY. WE THE PEOPLE DO!!! WERE TAKING BACK OUR COUNTRY AND THE RULE OF LAW WILL BE THE FIRST STEP TO: POWER OF THE PEOPLE!!! SPREAD THE WORD.

THE RIGHT TO WORK IN A HOSTILE FREE ENVIRONMENT ENFORCED BY THE GOVERNMENT NOT PIMPED BY THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS AND GANGSTERS HIDING BEHIND THEIR GOVERNMENT POSITIONS!!!

JOIN FORCES WITH US AND FIGHT FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN TO LIVE IN A FREE COUNTRY.

POWER OF THE PEOPLE

COWBOY-UP!!!; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 December 9, 2010 10:59 PM EST: TO ALL MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS THIS IS TO INFORM YOU THAT ON DECEMBER 07, 2010 AT 2PM EST, I RICARDO E JONES SR, FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GANGSTERS OF THE EEOC AND ITS CORRUPT UNION IN FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. HERE ARE THE FOLLOWING NAMES: Jacqueline A. Berrien, Stuart J. Ishimaru, Spencer Lewis, Kevin J. Berry, Luis Graziano, Ricardo Cuevas, Electra Yourke, Lisa Sirkin, Elisabeth Grossman, Nicholas Inzeo, Joann Riggs, Gabrielle Martin, Levi Morrow, and former employees Rosemary Wilkes, Nancy Boyd all in their official capacities.

THIS IS THE FIRST STEP OF THE PEOPLE TAKING BACK OUR COUNTRY "POWER OF THE PEOPLE" THIS WILL BE THE NAME OF OUR MOVEMENT. WE WILL EXPOSE ALL ALL CORRUPT GOVERNMENT GANGSTERS TO INCLUDE THE TOP GANGSTER HIMSELF. WE WILL MAKE WANTED POSTERS ON EACH INDIVIDUALS AND POST THEM ON THE INTERNET. FEAR NOT STRONG HEARTS THE BRAVE WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO BECOME BRAVE. "COWBOY-UP". GOD BLESS US ALL AND FOR THOSE WHO DON'T PRAY TO GOD BLESS YOU TOO. PEACE TO ALL.

http://www.undercoverlawyer.com/forum/; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 December 6, 2010 5:02 AM EST: Why was Ricardo Jones Terminated and Spencer H Lewis Jr, Transfered from EEOC-NYDO? Ricardo Jones was used as a scape goat for the corruption at EEOC-NYDO. Everyone in the NYDO area knows the truth about Ricardo Jones the only enforcer of Civil Rights and Justice under the law for all??? How about answering Jacqueline Berrien? Are you afraid of the truth?; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 December 3, 2010 7:36 AM EST: The EEOC could have fixed the racial problems of this country, but it was infiltrated and/or staffed with segregationist/racial Bigots/Uncle Toms/Aunt Momas and they 're still there today. Many at the EEOC aren't supporter of Civil Rights and/or Rule of Law for all (Justice under the Law). No Civil Rights attorneys work at the EEOC and/or other government agencies. The whole process is just a money making fraud for the corrupt legal attorneys. EEOC has a Black front for sell-outs with White Bigots making decisions. The EEOC could have made America GREAT. Many didn't want things to change. Senator Tom Harkin, Barbara Mikulski,Patty Murry and others are allowing this fraud to go on. The president obama is part of the problem also. Read Sam Wright Jr's Book "Your Betrayed by the US Government". The President and his wife are ex-employment attorneys for Sibley and Austin they know. Jacqueline Berrien(Harvard Law school friend of the first lady) chair of EEOC is just an opportunist just like the others who played at the Black seat. We must force the Senators on the oversite committee to reform the corrupt EEOC and the check and balance agenies OSC,DOJ (Office of civil rights) MSPB and FLRA.; Reply to this comment


by Ricohenry7 December 1, 2010 6:20 AM EST: Subject: Re: Proskauer and Rose donating money to Clyde Lo-chin's Steel drum club.

Clyde Lo-chin (currently mediator in Tampa, FL EEOC) recruited me (Ricardo E. Jones) and a friends (Robert Brown) of the US Army Reserves to apply for positions at the EEOC-NYDO as investigators on or/about early 2001. Clyde had meetings with us both to prepare us for the interviews with members of management of EEOC-NYDO. I never believed that I was going to be hired despite my background in Law Enforcement and investigation. Clyde said not to worry you'll get hired. I was hired sometime the first week of April 2001. After I was hired Clyde was working on a big case against Ralph Laren Polo involving a large amount of Black employees. Sometime later Clyde asked me to attend one of the settlement conferences at Proskauer and Rose where I meet top negotiator Paul Salvator Esq, and other attorneys for Polo. Later after the conference I was contacted by Paul Salvator of Proskauer and Rose. Paul asked if I had a case with the respondent MBIA. Paul wanted me to set-up a similar conference to settle to case. I did and it settled for $650,000.00 in less than 90 days. Clyde Lo chin had admitted to me that he asked Paul Salvator to have Polo to donate $5000.00 to Clyde's Steele Drum club and he did.

Clyde Lo chin has a relationship with Nancy Boyd who at the time of my hirer was Enforcement manager, and later Deputy Director of the EEOC-NYDO. Nancy Boyd was fixing cases for Vice Chair of EEOC Leslie Silverman for the Proskauer Rose Law Firm. Leslie Silverman left EEOC and became a partner of Proskauer and Rose in Washington DC and works with Paul Salvator of Porskauer and Rose of NYC.; Reply to this comment