Late last month, an email went out from an administrative assistant working for a Republican elected official in the legislature here in the state that was titled “Historical Keepsake Photo.”
The photo was this:
This was sent to me recently by another legislative staffer who was offended by it, as I am.
I talked to my local rep, Mark Maddox about it, and described the picture to him at a recent fund raising event. I think he was as appalled as I was. I was going to post it last week but there was a death in my family and I had to think about it.
Because it made me mad.
But, you know, people need to know that this stuff is going on. I would be just as angry if a democratic staffer had sent it.
Dammit, Tennessee, haven’t we moved past this kind of crap. I’m serious.
Leaders and their staffs need to be just that. LEADERS! And they have done a pretty suspect job this year if you ask me.
We live in a world of uncertainty and a lot of hurt. In Tennessee, it’s more important to pass dog bills than the budget. But, I guess we can find the time to send out junk, racist emails. Jeez.
Racist imagery matters.
I decided to release it because we need to think about our actions. How does this kind of behavior effect our children? It’s just ridiculous and it’s wrong.
I expect better of anyone elected to position that my tax dollars pay. I guess I give folks too much credit.
Yes I am on a soapbox and I’m not getting off of the damned thing.
Update: The email I received says the staffer is Sherri Goforth, who works for Diane Black.
UPDATED:
Christian Grantham talks to Ms. Goforth, who admits she sent the email.
When I asked her if she understood the controversial nature of the photo, Goforth would only say she felt very bad about accidentally sending it to the wrong list. When I gave her a second chance to address the controversial nature of the email, she again repeated that she only felt bad about sending it to the wrong list of people.
I sent it to the wrong list of people? Huh.
UPDATED:
People are talking.
The Associated Press via Eyewitness News
Gawker
Sandy
Mancini
Silence
Grantham
Southern Beale
Humphrey
Cracker
I just want to make sure I understand the pic – they’re referring to President Obama as a “spook”? Oy. They didn’t really… did they?
I just did a linking post.
Sadly, it’s not the limited domain of Tennessee GOP political operatives as witnessed by this “fine” example of Republican leadership in South Carolina
Pretty gross. Any more details though? Like who was the Republican staffer? Is there a way to enlarge this photo? Who was it sent to and why? Was there any accompanying text?
Nothing will change if folks don’t name names–right now a quick glance makes me think it’s the work of Mark Maddox, when I’m pretty sure someone else should be incurring my wrath.
“Dammit, Tennessee, haven’t we moved past this kind of crap. I’m serious.”
Oh, it’s by no means just us.
This kind of stupidity is even more prevalent in the West and North.
But this is ours and we have to claim it.
The vast majority of Tennesseans would be offended by this as is evident but the 100% condemnation we see in the comments above.
For the few vermin who subscribe to and endorse these back-assward views, well…. Fuck them and the cells they’re made of.
Sometimes confronting morons is not all that complicated.
It wasn’t Mark. He never saw the photo. We just talked about it after I described it to him and he’s been in the hospital the last few days.
Pingback: At Some Point, I Will Have Time for More Well-thought-out Crap « Tiny Cat Pants
Here,
I fixed it.
IMAGE
Pingback: Sen Diane Black’s (R-Gallatin) legislative aid circulates racist email « Nashville Is Talking
Pingback: Stupidity - Yet Another Reason For Smaller Government | Scott Adcox
Just blogged it. Keep us posted, coma.
well, that was stoop-id. plus the fact that she doesn’t have any remorse about the message, only about her “mistake” is pretty bad.
My stomach didn’t hurt as much until I read that she only “feels bad about sending it to the wrong list of people.”
Zero. Remorse. I’ll never understand a person’s pride in their own racism.
Pingback: jimvoorhies.com » Good grief!
I wish I could say I was shocked.
Alas.
Pingback: Sherri Goforth, Staffer to Republican State Senator Diane Black of Tennessee, Sends Racist Email About Obama; Joins Hordes of Republicans Outing Selves As Asshats Through New Media | Popehat
Pingback: TN Democratic Party News » Blog Archive » Forrester Demands Sen. Diane Black Fire Staffer Who Sent Racist Email
If Diane Black had a shred of decency, Ms. Goforth would already be unemployed. Instead, all she’s gotten is a reprimand and an assurance that she still has a job. That’s just as disgusting as Ms. Goforth’s racism.
…and, if this email was sent from an State Senator’s Office, doesn’t this level of stupidity extend to some violation of appropriate use of state computers?
This kind of stupidity is even more prevalent in the West and North.
Whatever gets you through the night, Tennessee…
So. . . She appeared to avidly steer clear of the nature of the email and chose only to address poor ‘group list’ skills. I cannot blame her for that. Years of using MSOutlook at work have left with a collection of emails sent to the wrong party and/or parties. Other than that, however, it’s safe to call her a stone racist, right? She’s not regretful about the tone of the message, only that she expressed her endorsement of bigoted thought to the wrong email addresses.
Sherri Goforth = racist.
What’s always amazing is the insane double standard that our so called conservatives have.
If Barack Obama fails to use the most extreme possible language to describe Palestinians, he’s an anti-Semite. When a Republican staffer passes around openly racist jokes, it’s an unfortunate boo-boo.
What’s especially pathetic is that those people have the habit of chalking all this up to some kind of pathological oversensitivity that “politically correct” liberals are supposed to have. The truth is that for someone in a position of power to traffric in racist humor is unseemly, undignified, and inappropriate.
While I’m at it, everybody here hear about the Republican comparing Michelle Obama to a Gorilla today?
You can’t make this stuff up.
The [dis]Honorable Senator’s wiki page has been updated to note that she employs racist idiots (is that an oxymoron?).
In wiki-friendly fashion of course.
Pingback: Forrester: Goforth And Can Her Ass : Post Politics: Political News and Views in Tennessee
Pingback: TN Republican Staffer Caught Forwarding DISGUSTING Racist Picture (Updated x2) | Design Website
“I’m only sorry that I got caught, and I’m an asshole.”
Yeah.
305 War Memorial Bldg.
Nashville, TN 37243-0218
Phone:(615) 741-1999
Staff Contact: Sherri Goforth
Call State Senator Black and demand her to fire Goforth.
I’m glad to see someone finally vent their silent rage against such trash. It sickens me. I refuse to nervously laugh anymore at anyone who dares sends me such malaligned propaganda.
Obviously, some of our brethren live in fear of those who are different than they are. Geez.
They can be persuaded to see the error of their ways. So we musn’t give up. They can change. They just need a push or a good kick in the ass.
“Yes we can.” Let’s not forget.
Pingback: The real GOP « Stocks Go Up. Stocks Go Down.
Hey, I didn’t vote for the guy, but the person who did this should be fired. And to say, sorry I sent it to the wrong list translates as: I just meant to send it to my racist friends.’
This does not represent all Republicans, and don’t make us all out to be racist.
Pingback: GOP Embarrasses TN Again « Lean Left
Wow, just what the GOP needed. They will be the minority party for a while if they keep this nonsense up. All the socialism and marxist remarks, all the racism and just down right hatred of those who don’t fall rank and file with their belief system. It’s really taking a toll on their brand.
Pingback: OpenPen
Ironic is it not that she represents Ms. Black……I wonder how the both of them can explain away theri actions to their Black friends….if they have any? All this BS about rce relations getting better because of Barak…LOL…Just goes to show you not to believe “their” smoke sreeens and mirrors. If anything, resentment has boiled to the top.
Shakesville, too – http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2009/06/gop-racists-cant-catch-break.html
I’m pretty sure Ms. Goforth owes another apology now, too, for World’s Worst Excuse Ever. Small children could have done better.
Pingback: Visual Racism in “Historical” Photo | racismreview.com
Pingback: Republican aid to Tenn. State Senator, Sends Racist Email | ChattahBox News Blog
You may take your offense, and shove it up your ass! Fuck the United State of Marx! You idiots aren’t even smart enough to realize that the U.S. is no longer a free republic.
You think the Republican party will be a minority? Fuck the parties, both of them. There is no longer a U.S.A. you idiot. It’s gone, stolen. Your god Obama is an usurper.
We don’t give a fuck what the democrat party has to say anymore, or the Supreme Court. Fuck the supreme court, their opinions mean nothing to me. They have no power over me any longer. I disown them, and this worthless Constitution. You stole our country from us and we don’t even want it back, not with you brainwashed assholes in it.
We demand a new form of government per the Declaration of Independence. I call for secession! I can’t stand you people, I want protection from you, and your hatred of White people, and Christians. And the only way to achieve such protection is to have our own nation again.
Pingback: Posts about Daily Kos as of June 15, 2009 » The Daily Parr
Pingback: Republican racist trifecta « blahgblog
Congrats on breaking this, I saw this on Thinkprogress. The Michelle Obama – gorilla story, now this. What’s next?
As a resident of West TN I can say that I am not at all surprised about this. Did you catch the Boston Globe interviewing folks in Jackson about the large numbers of recruits that the feds were hiring as border security last year? Racism, of course. Having lived all over the country (including many other places in “the south” I am ashamed of the racism I see regularly in West TN. It is shameful.
“This kind of stupidity is even more prevalent in the West and North.”
Is it now? Provide some links that back this up.
Pingback: After Sending Racist Email About Obama, GOP Staffer Only Sorry She Was Caught | copynews.net
THE G.O.P EXPOSED – They say, if you watch somebody quietly, for a long period of time… They will show you who they truly are.
AND THE G.O.P has shown all of us who they really are – A pack of vicious, Cynical, Racist BIGOTS!!!
GOP staying classy as always…Michael Steele should be replaced by David Duke and see how much lower they can take their party.
You are actually an editor at a newspaper? Seriously?
Pingback: The GOP Can’t Help It. « All Other Persons
Pingback: Goforth And Defend It : Post Politics: Political News and Views in Tennessee