Category: News Author : Kim LaCapria Posted: June 16, 2009
Tags : Barack Obama, controversial e-mail forwards, obama, racists, sen. diane black, sherri goforth
Sherri Goforth, an aide to state senator Diane Black, was given a “strong letter of reprimand” after embarrassing the GOP by sending a mass e-mail with a racist picture attached mocking President Barack Obama.
Following racist humor related debacles originating in Tennessee such as “Barack the Magic Negro,” Goforth forwarded a “historical keepsake photo” of all 44 US Presidents in a mass e-mail. Obama’s photo, however, was just a large pair of white eyes peering out from a black background. Stay classy, Tennessee!
Perhaps most troubling is the still-employed staffer’s attitude regarding the shameful action. From Nashville Is Talking:
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.
The Tennessee Democratic Party is calling for senior staffers to fire Goforth, saying in a press release:
“I am calling on Sen. Black to reject this racist smear and fire this staffer who, on state government time, on state government computers, using a state government email account, launched this bigoted attack on our president,” Forrester said. “Keeping her on the staff would send the message that this type of behavior is condoned by the Senate Republican Caucus.”
“Ms. Goforth does not seem to understand what she did wrong. She has apologized for ‘sending [the email] to the wrong list of people.’ I believe that any list of people would have recognized this email as offensive and hateful. The fact that a state employee would not understand that indicates that she is not fit for employment by the state of Tennessee.”
“We have hundreds of state employees facing the possibility of losing their jobs due to the budget deficit and no fault of their own. I think we could save at least one of those jobs by firing Sherri Goforth.”
Jun 16, 2009
I certainly agree with the lady about firing this aide. Pres Obama should be giving the same respect as previous Presidents. Race is not a factor of a person's integrity. We have elected this man as the President of the US because of his great credentials. Please GET OVER IT
Jun 16, 2009
Just to clarify, Diane Black serves in the Tennessee State Sentate. That is, she's part of the government of the state of Tennessee. She represents the 18th Senatorial District in Tennessee, which includes most of Sumner County and all of Robertson County. This body is independent of the U.S. Senate. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker are Tennesee's two representatives in the U.S. Senate.
Jun 16, 2009
I don't see anything bad abou this picture. He is a president we have elected that hasn't done a damn thing good thus far.
I think it's totally plausible to make pictures/cartoon figures about this president.
Jun 16, 2009
As a Canadian, I have to admit I don't really understand racism like it exists in the US. I'm able to appreciate satire like this without thinking of it as “hateful.”
Frankly that picture made me laugh, and I consider Obama to be an admirable man. These two sentiments do not need to be mutually exclusive.
Jun 16, 2009
It doesn't matter that this woman or her boss is unapologetic about the incident. It won't change a thing. White people (the ignorant and fearful ones) are upset that a minority is president. He could be dipped in gold, sprinkled in diamonds and sitting at God's right hand…it won't change their views. I say take the high road….what goes around comes around anyway. She'll get hers..just as most do. The really sad part is that some of these individuals can't seem to grasp the significance of the past election and the world's support. People are tired of racists, bigots, and people who (used to be in) power….you know the one's who are happy to see their agendas and prosperity increase at any cost….while the rest of humanity watches from the trenches. I'm glad Jesus did feel that way?
Jun 16, 2009
people need to get a grip .polident.. death to all mustard fish lovers from france and your tight fancy disco jeans and your greasy hamburger stained t shirts ..i love america and respect the fact that we have a half irish half african american president!!!! sprechen zee english motherfukers!!!!!!!!!
Jun 16, 2009
It is just unfortunate that most of these people will have to die off before there is a true change in the attitudes in this part of the country. I will have to say that many good people in the state have taken a different approach to how they treat people of different groups. Brave men an women who serve in the armed forces that are stationed at Fort Campbell and put their lives on the line for our country deserve better from the public officials in the state of Tennessee.
Jun 16, 2009
There is clearly no violent intent in this. Blacks make fun of other races all the time, don't deal it if ya can't take it. It's just a joke, get a life.
Jun 16, 2009
Jay:
While yes, this is admittedly rather humorous, race is a very very touchy subject in America. It's off-color humor at best, and while it's okay to make fun of GWB having enormous ears, it's not okay to comment on skin color. Reminds me of the University of Texas football player who said something akin to, “cowboys get up your guns, there's a n*gger in the white house.” Amusing to some, still extremely distasteful.
That being said, Goforth seems like a complete moron who deserves to be fired.
Jun 16, 2009
It is not the President. It does not have a legitimate U.S. birth certificate. It has an Affirmative Action Harvard degree. It was 'hand-fed' from day one by the Khazarians, and groomed for it's position. It is not the President.
It is a Marxist Communist mulatto.
Jun 16, 2009
The White House has probably not commented because President Obama has not gotten off the floor from laughing so hard. Maybe he's making light of the situation. Sorry, this is not racism. Quit whining, left-wingers.
Jun 16, 2009
This is my new desktop background. Good for this lady for standing up against this Communistic President.
Jun 17, 2009
Yeah, it may be a joke but I honestly don't find anything about this picture funny. What I do find funny is that people still intertain ignorance. At the end of the day, Barack Obama is still the president and people really just need to get over it.
With that, I don't see them keeping her on the payrole. She's fired.
Jun 17, 2009
A '”strong letter of reprimand!?” You have got to be kidding me! In this “at will” employment society where you can be fired for any or no reason, not firing this person for an obvious RACIST email is a travesty. Another embarassment to the Republican party! The worse part is the attituee of Ms. Golforth…she is only sorry she got caught..Well its time to tell her were sorry that your services are no longer required.
Jun 17, 2009
Joe
You're just as blind as Sherri.
Jun 17, 2009
I'm an African American, and I must say I am completely apauled at this racist depiction of our first African American president. And while I'm sitting here laughing my ass off, I hope that all future racist jokes, while they reveal the true racist nature and stupidity of some people, are as funny as this one! Barack the majic negro—damm!
Jun 17, 2009
One thing's for sure: Make all the jokes you want, hate him all you want, but the REAL picture of President Barack Obama will be in every history book, every federal building, and in the White House along with all the other presidents of the past–his portrait will be there and will be a large colorful, beautiful picture of Barack Hussein Obama—it won't be a black frame with white eyeballs—sorry racists white folk–you just got to deal with it. Or maybe you can find someone to kill–isn't that how you guys deal with difficulty.
Jun 17, 2009
GOT ANY MORE CUTE PICS?
Jun 17, 2009
RE: Ken Sheppardson's comment….
You have GOT to be kidding!!!!!! this womans racist act is ENTIRELY alright because she works for the state government and NOT the federal??? Well that makes it all better i guess………
Jun 17, 2009
Diane Black is a State Senator, she's not “Sen. Diane Black (R-TN)”. That's the convention for indicating someone is a U.S. Senator. I was simply providing factual clarification to something in the article that may have been misinterpreted.
Jun 17, 2009
You are an idiot. You don't deserve to breath the same air as the rest of us. You are obsolete. You are old. You are going to be extinct. You are irrelevent. You are pathetic. You are disgusting. You are a loser. You are a douche bag. Deal with it.
Jun 17, 2009
“Communistic” is not a word. Learn our language before you post your idiotic and absurd opinion. You knuckle dragging caveman/cavewoman. Pick up a dictionary, you illiterate scumbag.
Jun 17, 2009
Give us one example of a “black” aide working for a “black” state senator who made racist jokes or sent racist e-mails about other “races”. Let me help you, there aren't any. A comedian like Chris Rock and a public official are not comparable. Get your mind right before posting.
Jun 17, 2009
Making fun of a president because you don't agree with his policies is an American tradition. This isn't critiquing his performance. This is pure and simple racism, also an American tradition. Pimples like you can't offer any solutions to the problems that this president faces. So you let your true nature come out. You say he hasn't done a damn thing good thus far, then critisize his performance. Why do you connect his performance to his skin color? The answer is you are a racist ignorant moron, who will leave this planet with no real accomplishments or legacy worth mentioning. You suck.
Jun 17, 2009
Your ingnorance is limitless. Why don't you expose yourself to the blacks in your community, I bet you get fired, or your lose business because you take the blacks money while demeaning them. You are an American, not, your and ignoramass, emphasis on the ass!
Jun 17, 2009
Thank you Ken, I corrected it.
Jun 17, 2009
You misspelled yuor name. That's MrIQ17.5.
Jun 17, 2009
Don't you just hate when you mock somoeone for their intelligence and make a spelling mistiake? I know I do.
Jun 19, 2009
You are the IT, the big ignorant IT for that statement. Get a life, or not would be better.
Jun 19, 2009
please tell me when you have herd him make fun of othor races
Jun 19, 2009
to all those intelligent people who dont know what the big deal is…..here it is. there r still those people who cannot seperate humor and hate. they hide behind you and spit out vomit like this. you empower this poor person of verry low intelligince, and make them embarrass themselves. oh and i know my spelling sucks.
Jun 21, 2009
well if you cant see anything wrong with this cartoon then your blind it is one thing to make cartoons or jokes about a presidents performance it is a far nother to make them about his race we live in the 21st century now and should know better especially someone who works in government they are held to a higher standard and should be accountable for those sorts of actions and as far as how good our president is doing well he has done some things they may not be much yet but he hasnt been there that long but even though he has been there only a short time he has still done more to help this country since he has been there than Pres. Bush did in his whole eight years in office and i think we she appeciate that.besides he has to clean up Bush's mess all while trying to help us a person can only do that so fast
Jun 21, 2009
joke or not it still isnt right. get a grip
Jun 21, 2009
you know people like u need to be tossed out of this coutry on ur ass for saying things like that
Sep 25, 2011
think Goforth's sentiments were honest on her part. She said she was sorry that the wrong people saw it. I think she should be fired, better people have been fired for less. Let her spread her poison amongst people who will appreciate her, not on any states taxpaying dime. Maybe she can find a job in a roadside park cleaning the public toilets, something that befits her character.