Shirley Sherrod Speaks at Metropolitan AME - September 19, 2010

Listen to her testimony: 

SHIRLEY SHERROD SPEAKS AT METROPOLITAN A.M.E.
HBCU ALUMNI CHOIR SINGS

WASHINGTON -- Mrs. Shirley Sherrod, former Georgia Director of Rural Development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture who was forced to resign after a conservative blogger posted video excerpts of a speech she made and distorted the context to make her appear racist, spoke at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church on Sunday, Sept. 19 at the 9:00 a.m. service.

The longtime advocate for minority farmers was Metropolitan’s inaugural speaker for a series called “Sundays with the MET” at the historic downtown church, known as “The Cathedral of African Methodism,” located at 1518 M St. NW. Mrs. Sherrod, who recently declined an offer to return to her job, was accompanied by her husband, noted civil rights activist Rev. Charles Sherrod.

When the controversy broke in July, the NAACP, to whom Mrs. Sherrod had spoken, condemned her remarks, and U.S. Government officials called on her to resign. Upon review of the unedited video in context, however, President Barack Obama, the NAACP, and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack apologized and Sherrod was offered a new position which she later turned down. The clip posted by conservative activist Andrew Breitbard did not include the portion of the speech in which Sherrod said the episode he posted had taught her the importance of overcoming personal prejudices.

"Sundays at the Met" is designed to highlight and acknowledge the importance of family, culture, community and history in American heritage and the significant role of individuals whose achievements have made a notable contribution to the nation and the African American legacy. Dr. Roland Carter will direct the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Alumni Choir. Sherrod, Carter and Dr. Louis Sullivan, president emeritus of Morehouse School of Medicine, will each receive the “Metropolitan Legacy Award.”

The church is accessible by the McPherson Square and Farragut North metro stops and free parking is available for all attendees.

-end-