īut the City of Rochester thought otherwise and issued a statement about Kappell’s alleged usage of the slur. “In another instance, in 2005, a Las Vegas television weatherman made reference to ‘Martin Luther Coon Day’ and, though he apologized in subsequent newscasts, was fired.”įor the record, I've never uttered those words in my life. He apologized, said it was a slip of the tongue, and went on with his career,” the article says. “In 2010, ESPN broadcaster Mike Greenberg used the phrase. The article noted that it’s not the first time a TV personality made the slip. He also posted a story by a radio personality, arguing that Kappell may have been tongue-tied, making it an “honest and innocent mistake.” If you did feel it hurt you in any way I sincerely apologize,” he said in WHEC’s statement, which was included at the bottom of the webpage. That’s not a word I said and I promise you that. I had no ideas what some people could have interpreted that as and I know some people interpreted that the wrong way. As soon as I mispronounced it I put an emphasis on King and moved on. I had no idea the way it came across to so many people. “In my mind I know I mispronounced but there was no malice. Kappell said he thanked the woman “for the supportive words … I appreciate it more than you know.” One user responded: “As an African American, this clearly seems like he got tongue ties with the words. “For the record, I’ve never uttered those words in my life,” he tweeted. We are redoubling our efforts to ensure that this never happens again.” I am terribly sorry to all of our viewers. is one of America’s greatest heroes – for whom I, and all of us at News10NBC, have the utmost respect. The executive added, “Our Friday broadcast does not represent the values of News10NBC, its hardworking staff, or the great people of Rochester. “Upon learning of the incident, News10NBC leadership immediately initiated an internal investigation and internal discussion, and by Sunday had made a staffing change.” Reingold, the manager, wrote on the station’s website. Park during our Friday evening broadcast (1/4/19),” Richard A. “On behalf of News10NBC, I apologize for our broadcast of a racial slur in a reference to Martin Luther King, Jr. I have already asked for an explanation from WHEC about this:Thank you Cristy Barber Peck for identifying and sharing the video.Īn executive at WHEC, also known as News10NBC apologized to viewers and confirmed his dismissal. This aired 1/4/19 aproximately 5:30 pmListen as the newscaster decides that Martin Luther King should be referred to as Martin Luther Coon King and keeps it moving the other day. Kappell has continued to tell social media followers it was a mistake and that he would never use a racial slur like that.Rochester's WHEC Channel 10 decided to slip a little racist reference to Dr King in close to his birthday. I regret that we did not immediately interrupt our broadcast and apologize on the spot.” “These words have no place on News10NBC’s air, and the fact that we broadcast them disheartens and disgusts me that it was not caught immediately is inexcusable. “As a result of that broadcast, meteorologist Jeremy Kappell is no longer with News10NBC,” said station vice president and general manager Richard Reingold. Since the incident, the meteorologist has done damage control all across social media saying it was a “verbal slip.”īut on Sunday, WHEC’s general manager issued a statement saying Kappell had been fired for the use of a racial slur on air. Viewers immediately reacted but Kappell just kept on going with his forecast. skate park, he said, “Martin Luther Coon King.” On Friday, during his forecast while talking over a photo of the local Martin Luther King Jr. Kappell says it was all a misunderstanding. Rochester, N.Y., meteorologist Jeremy Kappell has been fired for using a racial slur when referencing Martin Luther King Jr.
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