You have to approach people with the truth and with love, and with what's right. I was determined to get the truth out because I knew that the truth would set me free.
Shirley SherrodThe news of Mr. Breitbartโs death came as a surprise to me when I was informed of it this morning. My prayers go out to Mr. Breitbartโs family as they cope during this very difficult time.
Shirley SherrodI am just a pawn. I was just here. They are after a bigger thing, they would love to take us back to where we were many years ago. Back to where black people were looking down, not looking white folks in the face, not being able to compete for a job out there and not be a whole person.
Shirley SherrodWe have landowners, small growers. We have people who are holding onto land that was acquired by their families after slavery. They need to produce some of the food we eat, so they can pay the taxes and hold onto the property. Taxes keep going up. We, and by we I mean black people, are rapidly becoming a landless people. Our ancestors, coming out of slavery, acquired more than 15 million acres of land. Today, we're probably down to less than 2 million acres.
Shirley SherrodI love helping other people. When I made a commitment to stay in the South, to work for change, it meant devoting my life to working for and helping others. I feel good when I know that I've saved someone's farm, or helped a family to get a home or access to credit. Or when I can get young people to see that there's more to life than just trying to make the biggest dollar for yourself.
Shirley Sherrod