Meteorologist Accused of Racism for Slip Up Finds Newfound Support Online, Including Al Roker
Peter D'Abrosca
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A meteorologist at WHEC, the NBC affiliate in Rochester, New York who was fired after an obvious flub of wording during a Friday telecast, is finding newfound support from sane people across the country.
Jeremy Kappell used the words “Martin Luther (coon) King Park,” when describing a park named after the civil rights leader on television Friday. It was an obvious slip – a combination of the words “King” and “Junior,” and he immediately corrected himself.
But after pressure from a leftist social media mob calling Kappell a racist and the Democratic mayor of Rochester, who is a black woman, calling for his termination, Kappell was fired from his post.
Note that Democrats do not have a problem with this word – just ask any black conservative how many times he or she has been slandered with the same slur – but they love power. Getting Kappell fired had nothing to do with alleged “racism.” The man is quite obviously not a racist. It was an exercise in seeing if they could influence the station into firing him. They succeeded.
But after a viral Facebook video explaining the situation to his fans, Kappell is receiving renewed support.
Al Roker, perhaps America’s most famous weatherman and co-host of “Today” on NBC – who also happens to be black – Tweeted his support for Kappell.
“I think @JeremyKappell made an unfortunate flub and should be given the chance to apologize on @news10nbc Anyone who has done live tv and screwed up (google any number of ones I’ve done) understands,” Roker said.
I think @JeremyKappell made an unfortunate flub and should be given the chance to apologize on @news10nbc Anyone who has done live tv and screwed up (google any number of ones I’ve done) understands.
— Al Roker (@alroker) January 9, 2019
Others have pointed out that ESPN host Mike Greenberg made the same mistake on air almost a decade ago.
“ESPN’s Mike Greenberg still has his job – 9 years ago he made the exact same error. But today it’s much more advantageous to demand ruination of a mans life and livelihood,” said one Twitter user.
ESPN's Mike Greenberg still has his job – 9 years ago he made the exact same error. But today it's much more advantageous to demand ruination of a mans life and livelihood.
— delinda (@delindadewick) January 8, 2019
Others have noted that the network should have at least given Kappell the chance to apologize and explain himself on air before being fired.
A Change.Org petition to have Kappell reinstated has over 33,000 signatures and is quickly approaching its goal of 35,000.
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