The NAACP sent us a copy of a letter that appears to have been written by former USDA staffer Shirley Sherrod. In the letter, Sherrod expressed her continued support of the civil rights organization and acknowledged NAACP President Ben Jealous' apologies for having denounced her, including a mea culpa that took place in her living room. The letter articulates what Sherrod stated to Jealous during their meeting: "That's behind us, and the last thing I want to see happen is for my situation to weaken support for the NAACP. Too many people confronted by racism and poverty count on the NAACP to be there for them, especially those in rural areas who often have nowhere else to turn."
Sherrod said she has moved on beyond the controversy. Perhaps we should too?
—Nsenga K. Burton