After the news of the shocking death of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, and seven other individuals, an MSNBC live broadcast covering the incident created an uproar. Allison Morris, MSNBC Anchor, was accused of saying a racial slur during her live broadcast.
What We Know:
- Morris was reporting the death of Kobe Bryant, as she soon stumbled upon the statement “Los Angeles Lakers”, which many heard as “Los Angeles N**gers”.
So this @MSNBC reporter just referred to the Lakers as the Los Angeles Niggers on live tv when talking about Kobe. pic.twitter.com/htfPRwlgV6
— The Archbishop (@Littles1126) January 26, 2020
- After the stumble, she quickly corrected herself and restated “Los Angeles Lakers”. However, the millions or people watching believed her statement, perceived as a racist slur, should have never happened and was more than an innocent mistake.
- Shortly after, a Change.org petition called for Morris to be fired. It now has approximately 22,000 signatures and has a goal of 25,000 signatures.
- Morris responded Sunday evening on Twitter with a statement.
Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say “Nakers.” Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused.
— Alison Morris (@AlisonMorrisNOW) January 26, 2020
- This Twitter response has caused a mixed response of people both defending Morris, stating she made a simple mistake and they do not believe it was truly a slur nor intentional. Twitter user Tiffany Cross defended Morris stating “She didn’t. sounds like she just tripped over her words. Doesn’t sound like a sound like a slur, what’s being implied. It’s challenging in that anchor chair with breaking news & multiple people talking in your ear & producers handing you wires etc. My heart goes out to the Bryant family.”
- Many others, especially in the Black community, are stating her tweet was disingenuous and in poor fashion due to her response being via Twitter hours after the live broadcast and after the viral backlash. Twitter user BetonBlaqq stated, “Yeah I listened to the clip SEVERAL times and you said the N word with a HARD G. So no we dont believe you.”
There has not been an official response from the MSNBC news network and it is unclear if Morris will remain a reporter and what her repercussions for this incident will be. Despite this, our hearts go out to all nine individuals who passed and their families.
