Shirley Sherrod Comes out on Top

Sherrod turns lemons into lemonade

Shirley Sherrod didn't seek out the national spotlight when she became a household name.

Shirley Sherrod (pictured) didn't seek out the national spotlight when she became a household name a year ago, after being fired from the Department of Agriculture for racial discrimination -- and then being cleared of the charge.

It seems that the public spotlight, which was harsh at first, has come to suit Sherrod just fine: Sherrod, 63, is negotiating a book deal with a publisher. She has also fielded an offer from the Obama Administration to become an advisor on racial issues.  

The Shirley Sherrod story is the ultimate case of turning lemons into lemonade.

Last summer, conservative blogger Andrew Brietbart released a tape of Sherrod appearing to give a speech, saying she withheld government funds from a white farmer because of his race. A day later, Agriculture Department officials fired her. 

The only problem was that it wasn't true.

Brietbart edited the tape, omitting Sherrod's full comments which spoke to helping citizens without regard to race. While the episode definitely left the Obama Administration with egg on its face, Sherrod gained cash and notoriety.