Meteorologist fired after responding to viewer who didn't like her hair
Oh, no they didn't! I had to do a double take earlier today after I read about a black TV meteorologist in Shreveport, La., who got fired for responding to a racial remark on Facebook. Guess what sparked the fateful email? The TV personality's closely-cropped natural hairstyle.Unbelievable, right? Here's what Richard Prince's Journal-isms' reported about the social media discussion that led to Rhonda Lee's losing her job:
Meteorologist fired after responding to viewer who didn't like her hair
Jenice Armstrong, Daily News Columnist
Oh, no they didn’t!
I had to do a double take earlier today after I read about a black TV meteorologist in Shreveport, La., who got fired for responding to a racial remark on Facebook.
Guess what sparked the fateful email?
The TV personality’s closely-cropped natural hairstyle.
Unbelievable, right? Here’s what Richard Prince’s Journal-isms’ reported about the social media discussion that led to Rhonda Lee’s losing her job:
“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).’
Lee replied the same day, ‘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.
Vascocu replied that Lee was right to be proud of who she is and that he is not a racist, but ". . . this world has . . . certain standerd (cq). if youve come from a world of being poor are you going to dress in rags?. . .’"
C’mon now. Even if Lee violated her company’s social media policy, an exception should be made in this instance. As someone who’s been there, it’s hard to sit back and let people criticize you because of what grows out of your head naturally.
We’ve come a long way from the days when black women in corporate America were afraid to wear their hair braided or in a short afro for fear of hurting their careers. Although most black women on TV news, still favor straight styles, every so often you’ll see someone rocking a ‘fro or maybe long braids the way Melissa Harris-Perry does on MSNBC. You'd probably see even more if TV personalities weren't so scared of getting the kind of negative attention that Lee got.
“It's ridiculous that the simple act of wearing your hair the way it grows from your scalp can not only solicit negative commentary, but the stereotypes that the person is 'rebellious', 'sick', 'depressed', etc.,” said Nicki Walton, founder of curlynikki.com, a site helps black women learn how to deal with their in its natural state.
“For the textured woman conforming to a straight hair beauty ideal, hair becomes the center of one's agenda,” continued Walton who’s also the author of “Better than Good Hair” (Harper Collins, 2013). “She was serving as a powerful role model to young (and old) Black women because the more these positive images are seen in our everyday lives, at work on TV, etc., the more it will become mainstream. “
Walton's right. This was a teachable moment. Personally, I think Lee responded well given the level of ignorance that the viewer spouted. Something tells me that in the days ahead, the former KTBS employee is going to get a lot of time to share more of her views on this subject.
- Exactly !!!!
— Doogotti2009 - There was NOTHING racial in Emmit's remark. His remark was directed towards the appearance of her HEALTH. I am so sick of the media making anything to do with black people 'racial'.— JohnnyL
- a white male reporter was also fired, can't wait for Jen's follow-up on that.— palmyra21
- She should be commended rather than fired. I have been writing inappropriate and harassing letters and emails to Cecily Tyan for twenty years. To date she has not even given me the courtesy of a response, not even a visit from law enforcement.— PhillyBoy
- Rhonda Lee is one gorgeous woman exactly like she is. Her response was very well-written and lovely. What the article doesn't say is where the remark originated. Was it the company's Facebook or other site or was it written to a personal account of hers? That could make a difference. Moreover, I'm unsure why Rhonda Lee felt the need to respond to what is probably one of many inappropriate remarks received from racists who pretend not to be. It would have been wiser for her to address this remark with her employer's approval, perhaps as a short editorial comment while doing the weather. I remember awhile back that another local news person did so and the public backed her all the way. This is just another case of an employer firing someone because they can. Doesn't anyone think before doing anymore?— lightenup
- She should have the right to communicate as she sees fit, as long as it does not negatively reflect on her T vstation. In this case, it certainly did not.— Bobphxville
- Truly a news-worthy piece. The quality of which should be in the editorial room of msnbc.— junethe4th
- I like "weather personality" Melissa Magee on channel 6 news. I think I'll write her a letter telling her not to cut her hair.— pic man
- This is an edit to my previous comment. The comment was on the TV Station's Facebook account AND another employee, a white male, was fired for doing the same thing (different subject matter). The conclusion is that they were both fired for what they did (unless someone in power has something against them both), not for what they are.— lightenup
- Oh brother. Hair style likes and dislikes are subjective. There isn't a wrong or right any more than there is when someone names their favorite color. The comment on Facebook wasn't racist. It was a personal preference. The response by the reporter was ridiculous and unprofessional. If she's that sensative, she should find another career. If she's so proud about her hair, why did she need to respond? Short hair looks good on some people and not on others in my opinion. Short hair doesn't look good on her.— MikeP
- mephisto: Social media policy? get over it, that's a load of bullcrap. I am sure people violate their internet policies every single day in the office and DO NOT get fired for it. This is a convenient way of enforcing the rules to make a statement about a women of color. I'm a white dude and this is a blatant racist act of termination. There are plenty of rules that can be challenged, social media policies are the weakest out there with very little historical context or legal challenges.— MichaelZoe
- She didn't violate policy. There is no written policy (if you morons would read the hyperlinked article). There was a "verbal" policy mentioned in a meeting. There is nothing in the handbook. There is no written policy. Her termination was bullcrap.— MichaelZoe
- She looks beautiful and she responded very well....I am proud of her!— AuthorRtorressadler
- This is news? Would a white female meteorologist be covered if some nitwit criticzed her hair and she responded and was fired. Why do I think not?— pj katauskas
- Well, as long as they don't take Sheena Preeven away from us to replace her....— atlasmc
Read more from Jenice Armstrong at Earth to Philly, the Daily News blog on anything and everything "Green."
Reach Jenice at armstrj@phillynews.com.
