"An extraordinary apology"

The LA Times today reports on an apology made to a USDA worker who was fired for comments she made that were taken out of context and then sent flying on the internet. The worker, who happens to be African-American, was thus mistakenly shown to have used reverse discrimination against a person who happens to be White. In reality, the entire context of her speech (according to the article publicized by the NAACP) revealed the worker's sincere desire to help all poor people:

"'They could be black, white and Hispanic,' she said, adding that 'it made me realize then that I need to work to help poor people.'" (LA Times, July 22, 2010, A12).

The article reveals what some have been saying for a long time: that those in the power elite like to pit oppressed peoples against one-another: it keeps people from uniting against their oppressors. It's a handy tool that's been used by all kinds of despotic structures: dictatorships, religions and the like.

How wonderfully refreshing to see someone transcending initial prejudice and emerging in a place where she can truly work for justice for the oppressed, no matter who they are.