Firing someone for speaking back to racism

Former KTBS-TV meteorologist Rhonda Lee (above).

This was a Facebook post:

“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).”  – Viewer Emmitt Vascocu, addressing Shreveport, La. ABC affiliate KTBS-TV’s meteorologist Rhonda Lee‘s hairstyle, a short natural afro.

This was the response from Ms. Rhonda Lee:

“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?..."

Story here.

I looked up the TV website and the email address to contact there.  I sent this email to gsirven@KTBS.com:

“Ms. Rhonda Lee's response to the racist Facebook posting was graceful beyond belief.  She must be an outstanding human being to be so gracious and kind in the face of such racism. The GM and ND of KTBS need to be fired for firing such a wonderful person.  They are either racist or just plain old idiots, but clearly KTBS needs to get rid of the BS that these two people have sprouted on such a wonderful person as Ms. Lee. And make no mistake:  this is not about hair, and it is not about responses on social media.  THIS IS ABOUT RACISM. And racism is always about vast stupidity.”

And this is the response I got back:

Typically this station does not comment on personnel matters, but due to the publicity and interest about this issue, the station has included the following statement.  

On November 28, 2012, KTBS dismissed two employees for repeated violation of the station’s written procedure. We can confirm that Rhonda Lee was one of the employees. Another employee was a white male reporter who was an eight year veteran of the station. The policy they violated provided a specific procedure for responding to viewer comments on the official KTBS Facebook page. Included is an email that was sent to all new department employees informing them of this procedure. This procedure is based on advice from national experts and commonly used by national broadcast and cable networks and local television stations across the country. 

Unfortunately, television personalities have long been subject to harsh criticism and negative viewer comments about their appearance and performance. If harsh viewer comments are posted on the station’s official website, there is a specific procedure to follow.

Ms. Rhonda Lee was let go for repeatedly violating that procedure and after being warned multiple times of the consequences if her behavior continued. Rhonda Lee was not dismissed for her appearance or defending her appearance.  She was fired for continuing to violate company procedure.

And here was a copy of the email they included, that has this policy:

I still think it is racism behind all this.  It is shameful enough when they don't stand up for their employee when racist comments are directed at her, but then to fire her for her very gracious response is beyond the pale.