The beautiful Rhonda Lee a meteorologist at an ABC Affiliate in Shreveport, La was allegedly fired after responding to derogatory comments from a viewer about her natural hair. Here are the comments that led to Rhonda's dismissal:
On Oct. 1, a viewer identified as Emmitt Vascocu wrote, “the black lady that does the news is a very nice lady.the only thing is she needs to wear a wig or grow some more hair. im not sure if she is a cancer patient. but still its not something myself that i think looks good on tv. what about letting someone a male have waist long hair do the news.what about that (cq).”
Rhonda’s response – “Hello Emmitt–I am the ‘black lady’ to which you are referring. I’m sorry you don’t like my ethnic hair. And no I don’t have cancer. I’m a non-smoking, 5’3, 121 lbs, 25 mile a week running, 37.5 year old woman, and I’m in perfectly healthy physical condition.
I am very proud of my African-American ancestry which includes my hair. For your edification: traditionally our hair doesn’t grow downward. It grows upward. Many Black women use strong 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’m very proud of who I am and the standard of beauty I display. Women 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. Little girls (and boys for that matter) need to see that what you look like isn’t a reason to not achieve their goals.
“Conforming to one standard isn’t what being American is about and I hope you can embrace that.
“Thank you for your comment and have a great weekend and thank for watching.
What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think Rhonda should have publicly addressed the viewer? What do you think about the viewer's comments?
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I believe her comment was tasteful and addressed the viewers well. It's funny to me how she was fired for using tact when addressing these comments but that news anchor who was deemed over-weight and unhealthy was praised for going on-air and throwing a tantrum over her viewer's comment. This is the world we live in unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this 100%. I saw how the other anchor responded on air and yes they praised her. We don't want to use the race card but yet this is the card that is played and played well here!
Deletethis is a backlash, she did nothing wrong...LA is a right to work state
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Considering the level of ignorance the viewer displayed, I am glad that she found the resolve to respond in such a respectful manner. If she got fired for tastefully answering a viewer who is just spewing their stupidity for all to see, then the network needs to take some courses in equal opportunity, race sensitivity and the works!!!
ReplyDeleteHer statement was informative, and professional, and there was nothing wrong with what she said. There is nothing wrong with her hair or her appearance. She is a beautiful woman. People need to accept the fact that their standards for beauty is not realistic for all cultures and what is beautiful to them is not beauty to everyone.
ReplyDeleteShe did nothing wrong..she handled it with facts and grace...shame on her employer for not backing her!!!!
ReplyDeletewhen she wrote "our hair don't grow downward it grow upward" that did it !!!!!
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