Meteorologist Rhonda Lee.
On October 1st, one Emmitt Vascocu wrote "the black lady that does the news is a very nice lady. the only [sic] thing is she needs to wear a wig or grow some more hair..... I'm not sure if she is a cancer patient but its not something that looks good on tv."
He bluntly and openly made this dreadful discriminatory comment against black ladies with short hair and cancer patients. In his mind, women in these categories have no place on television.
When her employer KTBS-TV (an ABC affiliate) did not see it fit to stand up on her behalf on facebook, she, Ms. Rhonda Lee did. Her response on October 6th was:
"Hello Emmitt, I'm "the black lady" to which you are referring. My name is Rhonda Lee. Nice to meet you. I am sorry you don't like my ethnic hair. And no I don't have cancer. I am very proud of my African-American ancestry which includes my hair. For your edification: our hair doesn't grow downward it grows upward. Many Black women use straightening agents in order to achieve a more European grade of hair and that is their choice. However in my case, I don't find it necessary. I am very proud of who I am and the standard of beauty I display. As women we come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities and levels of beauty. Showing little girls that being comfortable in the skin and HAIR God gave me is my contribution to society."
An excellent response and a teachable moment for the all the Emmit Vascocus's of this ignorant world! However, ABC did not concur with their employee's actions but rather opted to fire Ms. Rhonda Lee for "violation of company policy." What a lot of tosh! What nonsense! What a bloody cheek! What a nerve!
My ABC Ladies on THE VIEW, Diane Sawyer, ladies on all other ABC affiliates.....why so silent? Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Wendy Williams, Katie, Anderson Cooper, TJ Holmes, Don Lemon, BET, CNN, NBC, CBS....somebody, anybody?
In October I recall that CBS stood by one of their own, Meteorologist, Ms. Jennifer Livingston when she hit back at a viewer who accused her of being too fat. How did I hear of this? Well.....I watched it all on ABC via Good Morning America & The View of course!
No matter what office politics/violations have transpired behind closed doors in the past between Ms. Rhonda Lee and her employers, this does not show one of my favorite channels in a good light. I for one will stand and readily admit that ABC has publicly chosen to stand with a bully, and also appears to have discriminated against this Lady.
Since television networks choose to use social media to engage their public, they must prepare for the inevitable: there will be unfavorable outcomes from time to time. These networks owe a duty of care not only to their employees but also to their viewing public - holding up the timid and pretentious non-responsive card can never be an answer. Emmitt Vascocu used the social medium of facebook as his point of interaction with ABC to not only insult one black lady but all black ladies and cancer patients. Dare I say it but had ABC owned up to its social responsibilities in a timely manner, the beautiful Bald Headed Cancer Patients and Rhonda Lees of our precious world would not feel so victimized, violated and humiliated.
ABC, take a leaf from CBS. Please pick up the ball and immediately return Ms. Rhonda Lee to her rightful position!
No matter what office politics/violations have transpired behind closed doors in the past between Ms. Rhonda Lee and her employers, this does not show one of my favorite channels in a good light. I for one will stand and readily admit that ABC has publicly chosen to stand with a bully, and also appears to have discriminated against this Lady.
Since television networks choose to use social media to engage their public, they must prepare for the inevitable: there will be unfavorable outcomes from time to time. These networks owe a duty of care not only to their employees but also to their viewing public - holding up the timid and pretentious non-responsive card can never be an answer. Emmitt Vascocu used the social medium of facebook as his point of interaction with ABC to not only insult one black lady but all black ladies and cancer patients. Dare I say it but had ABC owned up to its social responsibilities in a timely manner, the beautiful Bald Headed Cancer Patients and Rhonda Lees of our precious world would not feel so victimized, violated and humiliated.
ABC, take a leaf from CBS. Please pick up the ball and immediately return Ms. Rhonda Lee to her rightful position!
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