Black Caucus accuses Vilsack of overreaction

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack overreacted by forcing the resignation of Shirley Sherrod, the Congressional Black Caucus said today.

“It is now apparent that Secretary Vilsack did not have all of the facts available to him and overreacted,” CBC chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) said in a statement.

“The Congressional Black Caucus continues to believe that Ms. Sherrod was unfairly asked to resign, without due process and should be reinstated immediately,” Lee added.

Sherrod was forced out this week after a short video clip of her seemed to suggest she discriminated against a white farmer. The longer, unedited video, however, made clear that the incident took place more than 20 years ago, and Sherrod was recounting it to demonstrate how her views had changed.

Vilsack said this morning that he will re-examine the facts surrounding Sherrod’s dismissal.

While Lee called for Sherrod’s reinstatement, she also suggested the USDA should re-examine which employees might have actively discriminated against blacks.

“There are many individuals still serving in the Department of Agriculture who were responsible for years of discrimination against African-American farmers,” Lee said.

The incident shows the need for a “national dialogue on race,” the statement added.

“The basis for Ms. Sherrod’s resignation is another example of why we must not sweep race under the rug,” Lee said. “Rather, we must come together as a nation and recognize that we do not live in a post-racial era and that, while difficult, we must confront these issues head on with clarity and without fear.”