Sherri Goforth is an executive assistant for Tennessee State Sen. Diane Black. Goforth sent out the above image in an e-mail. The picture shows portraits of the first 43 presidents. The last image is a pair of white eyes peering out of the darkness. The image has obvious nasty racial overtones against Barack Obama. I'm sure Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh will rush to condemn Goforth's e-mail.
Goforth confirmed to Nashville Is Talking that she sent out the e-mail. Goforth's regret was hitting "the wrong button." Not the racist message of her e-mail.
“I went on the wrong email and I inadvertently hit the wrong button,” Goforth told NIT. “I’m very sick about it, and it’s one of those things I can’t change or take back.”
Republican fundraiser Al Austin told The Buzz his e-mail about Obama being assassinated "was sent in error." The Party that claims it can run the economy hasn't figured out how to use the send button. A fie defense to instill confidence in the intelligence of the GOP.
In defense of Ms. Goforth:
ReplyDeleteThe eMail Ms. Goforth dispatched is indefensible as is her poor excuse of sending it to the wrong list of people. Ms. Goforth used very poor judgment in sending the eMail to anyone or in thinking it was funny or entertaining.
In a sound bite it is easy to paint Ms. Goforth as a racist and a hater of the disadvantaged. Sherri is anything but a racist or a hater. If Sherri were known as the person she is, it would not be hard to understand why she was not fired.
I have known Sherri since 1968, the year she began her career in state government in Tennessee. I was so impressed by her, I employed her as my personal assistant for 13 years while she was not working in State government. I found Sherri to be a loving, loyal, compassionate, and intelligent person. I never saw her demonstrate anything but respect for everyone, regardless of their race. I know she goes out of her way to befriend people; I know she sees people as human beings. I know she has a heart for everyone. Sherri is not a racist; she is not a hater. She is not stupid.
Sherri has been married to the same man for over 40 years. Their family is an example for us all to admire and imitate. She and Steve have two adopted children, biological siblings, who were removed from their unfit biological parents by the State; the children were 9 and 10 at the time of adoption. The Goforths also have a special needs biological child with Downes Syndrome, now in her 30's. A few years ago Steve quit his job to open a small take-out restaurant for Katie so she could become independent. Katie is the chef. The restaurant has been a big success. As a result Katie has made a name for herself; Sherri and Steve have given Katie a skill that will ensure her independence when they are gone. Katie is quite a remarkable person.
Sherri's entire life has been one of hard work, endurance, sacrifice, and love. I never heard either Steve or Sherri complain about their circumstances. They focused on the challenge and the blessing. Sherri and Steve are supporters of the Special Olympics; they also work with parents of Downs children to see the blessing they have been given.
This unfortunate incident does not define Sherri Goforth. Sherri deserves another chance. Sherri truly has a heart for the whole world, without exception. We can all learn from this incident. We've all had lapses in good judgment. In the end, forgiveness always trumps castigation. We are all in this together.
Fire Goforth, she obviously does not have any Computer ethics much less any intelligence. If David Letterman was put to the task of being responsible for making a joke about Palin's duaghter, Goforth should be fired. She has yet to apologize for the content of the email which shows she is oblivious to herself being racist.
ReplyDeleteI think the image is funny. It's ok for that Carlos Mancia to make recial slurs against Anglo americans. Its ok for TV comics to make crude comments about family members of politicians. Yes the image is funny.
ReplyDelete