If you were being personally defamed for being something that you are not, in Trulock's case a racist, wouldn't you want to clear your name also? I know that I would...you can't just label people as something that they are not and not expect to have any consequences for the action. Even the internet maverick Matt Drudge found that one out.
Clue: That case NEVER went to trial; Sidney flinched. It was a bogus suit.