GAFFE OR SLUR? Meteorologist axed amid furor over apparent racial attack on MLK

GAFFE OR SLUR? Meteorologist axed amid furor over apparent racial attack on MLK
Associated Press
Published:
January 7, 2019
Updated:
January 7, 2019 8:51 PM EST
Martin Luther King Jr. AFP/Getty Images
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A TV meteorologist accused of using an on-air racial slur in reference to Martin Luther King Jr. is out of a job.
A video posted to social media of WHEC chief meteorologist Jeremy Kappell’s broadcast Friday includes him apparently calling a park named for the slain civil rights leader “Martin Luther Coon King Jr. Park.”
WHEC general manager Richard Reingold wrote on the station’s website that he was disheartened and disgusted that the words were broadcast and regrets that they didn’t immediately apologize. He said the station made a “staffing change” Sunday.
Kappell tweeted Monday that “this isn’t about race” and “I’ve never uttered those words in my life.”
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren, who is black, was among those calling for Kappell’s firing. Defenders on Twitter argued he misspoke.
http://facebook.com/JeremyKappellWX/videos/2130436600348698
http://torontosun.com/news/world/ga...amid-furor-over-apparent-racial-attack-on-mlk

'VITRIOLIC POLITICAL DEBATE': Meteorologist is fired for possibly using slur
Associated Press
Published:
January 9, 2019
Updated:
January 9, 2019 5:48 PM EST
Martin Luther King Jr. AFP/Getty Images
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Did a TV meteorologist broadcast a racial slur or simply flub a line?
That polarizing question has reverberated in this upstate New York city and beyond since WHEC fired Jeremy Kappell after he apparently referred to a park in his weather report as “Martin Luther Coon King Jr. Park.”
Rochester’s mayor, who is black, called the words hurtful. Kappell, who is white, explained it was a mispronunciation.
NBC weatherman and personality Al Roker tweeted in defence of Kappell. And online arguments persisted over whether Kappell’s slip-up revealed racial malice or just a slip of the tongue on live TV.
“Since our decision to terminate his employment, this station has been caught in the middle of a vitriolic political debate,” the station and its parent company said in a statement Tuesday night. “We believe we have done what is right for our station and our community, and will continue to take a strong stand for our personal and professional values.”
Kappell “clearly voiced a racially derogatory term,” on Friday night’s broadcast, said the statement from Hubbard Television Group President Robert Hubbard and station general manager Richard Reingold.
The station fired Kappell on Sunday, the same day Mayor Lovely Warren and city officials in a statement called for Kappell’s ouster. Warren argued a larger issue of insufficient cultural sensitivity among the local media was illustrated by the station apologizing only after a backlash on social media.
Warren has since been the target of critics on social media who accuse her of pouncing on the incident too quickly.
Her office did not respond to a request for an interview Wednesday.
Kappel’s defenders argue that mortifying bloopers are common on live TV news.
ESPN’s Mike Greenberg in 2010 reportedly made a similar slip-up pronouncing MLK’s name and apologized for slurring his words. He was not fired.
An online “I Stand Behind Jeremy Kappell” petition seeking his reinstatement has been started online.
Roker, who is black, said on Twitter on Wednesday that Kappell flubbed a line and should be given the chance to apologize on WHEC. “Anyone who has done live tv and screwed up (google any number of ones I’ve done) understands,” he tweeted.
Kappell has apologized and explained himself multiple times this week, most expansively during a four-minute video on Facebook in which he speaks to the camera with his wife by his side.
“Unfortunately I spoke a little too fast when I was referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” he said, “so fast to the point where I jumbled a couple of words.”
He ended the video with a request for viewers to “please, hold back your judgment.”
http://today.com/news/meteorologist-jeremy-kappell-fired-racist-slur-air-says-it-was-t146455
http://torontosun.com/news/world/ga...amid-furor-over-apparent-racial-attack-on-mlk
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Another newscaster accused of MLK slur to take leave of absence
Associated Press
Published:
January 25, 2019
Updated:
January 25, 2019 9:29 PM EST
Martin Luther King Jr. AFP/Getty Images
ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis newscaster who uttered what he called an unintentional racial slur while discussing Martin Luther King Jr. says he will step away from the anchor desk while he works to regain viewers’ trust.
KTVI-TV’s Kevin Steincross said on Jan. 17 that an upcoming tribute would honour “Martin Luther Coon Jr.” He apologized and station management initially said he would not be disciplined.
But the St. Louis County NAACP demanded the station fire Steincross.
On Friday, Steincross apologized again. He and station management issued statements saying they agreed Steincross should take a break from the anchor desk and address the “pain (Steincross) caused.”
Station management says they met with several black and civic organizations and employees to hear their views.
The statements didn’t indicate how long Steincross would be away from the anchor desk.
On Jan. 4, WHEC meteorologist Jeremy Kappell made a similar supposed slur on-air, when he referred to a Rochester, N.Y., park named after the slain civil rights leader as “Martin Luther coon King Jr. Park.” He was fired for his actions, despite saying it was a mistake.
“Unfortunately I spoke a little too fast when I was referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Kappell said, “so fast to the point where I jumbled a couple of words.”
http://cdn2.trb.tv/iframe.html?ec=E...d7adb7c4a1&pcode=d2b3E6s5rDofer9uw9hhgMxCRs6U
http://fox2now.com/2019/01/25/kevin-steincross-mlk-apology-off-air-indefinitely
http://torontosun.com/news/world/another-newscaster-accused-of-mlk-slur-to-take-leave-of-absence

Meteorologist sues TV station over firing for alleged MLK slur
Associated Press
Published:
April 16, 2019
Updated:
April 16, 2019 3:31 PM EDT
Martin Luther King Jr. AFP/Getty Images
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — An upstate New York TV meteorologist accused of using a racial slur in reference to Martin Luther King Jr. while on air has filed a lawsuit against the station that fired him.
Jeremy Kappell worked for WHEC in Rochester and was fired in January after apparently referring to a local park as “Martin Luther Coon King Jr. Park.”
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports that Kappell describes the incident in court papers as a “linguistic error” and says the station didn’t decide to fire him until after the mayor and others said he made a racial slur.
The suit alleges the firing violated Kappell’s contract and that he has suffered lost wages and emotional distress.
The station says it is disappointed about the suit and is prepared to defend its decision.
http://torontosun.com/news/world/meteorologist-sues-tv-station-over-firing-for-alleged-mlk-slur