Last Friday on our newscast ‘Today at 11’, I used a term that was offensive to many in our audience and to my coworkers here at WLBT. Though not intentional, I now understand how my comment was both insensitive and hurtful. I have apologized to Carmen Poe.
Angela Bassett, I am so sorry. #Oscar pic.twitter.com/R2gP5XWycV
WLBT morning anchor Barbie Bassett has apologized for an “offensive” comment she made on air Friday at the Jackson, Miss. NBC affiliate.
During a live shot on Friday, Bassett referred to Carmen Poe‘s grandmother as her “grandmammy,” which was a term slaves used for their grandmothers. Poe is African-American.
On Monday, the station said it has had “meaningful internal conversations and discussions about this situation.”Bassett apologized, saying, “I now understand how my comment was both insensitive and hurtful. I have apologized to Carmen Poe.”