Petition to Fire Fox KABB News Meteorologist Mike Hernandez for MLK Coon Remarks
IATD has posted a petition to urge Sinclair Broadcasting to fire Mike Hernandez, the Fox KABB meteorologist for repeatedly referring to the MLK Holiday as the MLK Coon Day.
Hernandez traumatized viewers on Thursday, January 16th, when he boldly referred to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration as MLK COON Day (Video), in a city which happens to host the largest MLK March in the nation. This year an estimated 175 thousand marched according to local news outlets. Because this egregious act caused such emotional distress on unsuspecting viewers who were verbally assaulted by this highly insensitive remark while gearing up for the celebration, Hernandez must be terminated. Thus far, FOX, briefly suspended the offender to appease viewers. Indicative of someone who knew he would only receive a slap on the wrist, Hernandez told San Antonio Express News, “I’m from the old school, you make a mistake, you just keep going.” A great many of us who were on the receiving end of this verbal abuse are finding it difficult to move on and begin the healing process when we still have to look at him or choose another news outlet. Many have expressed that they have chosen the latter. Had this been a scenario in which someone said something derogatory about the Caesar Chavez Holiday, we question whether things would have been handled differently.
Moreover, since this is not FOX’s first offense. Weathermen, Rob Blair, KTNV-TV did the same EXACT thing in 2005, in Vegas (Video), and he was immediately fired. Why is Hernandez not fired? it is our contention that is a pattern and practice by the news outlet. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a call for change at FOX News network. The well cultivated climate of racism is pervasive in their news slant, so much so that their staff members feel empowered to allow their true feelings to trickle out of their mouths at our expense. They continue to do so with impunity and without accountability. Obviously, FOX does not sincerely and entirely condemn Hernandez’s behavior given that what you do not condemn, you condone.
Instead of truly being remorseful, Hernandez’s Facebook page states that he had a small mishap, as if referring to Dr. King as a coon, and defiling the celebration of his legacy in the process is no big deal. We reject his forced apology. We also reject his excuse in mispronouncing the name. MLK Celebration is hardly a tongue twister; therefore we find it difficult to believe that this was a mispronunciation given his level of education and years as a meteorologist trained at articulation and proper annunciation. It is a stretch to get COON out of MLK or Celebration if you are familiar with the operation of vowels.
We look to also file a citizen complaint with the FCC against FOX’s Corporation for inciting racial tension toward Black Americans.
It is disheartening to note that we have yet to hear even one Hispanic politician, or group as LULAC speak out against Hernandez’s vile comment, yet they all look for the Black vote come election time, or time for Blacks to support the immigration issue. This is not meant to be divisive, but to highlight all the more reason Mike Hernandez needs to be let go as he is damaging to black and brown relations.
Initially, the local NAACP stated that they had no comment in the matter when asked by San Antonio Express News as opposed to that they would reserve their comments for later. So, citizens decided to move on this issue in a grass roots effort. Since then, the local NAACP did have a closed door meeting with the networks PR Spin team, yet, there has been no announcement regarding the outcome. Nevertheless, many of us have made clear that we are adamant that nothing short of firing this individual is worthy of an announcement. It is non-negotiable as the dignity of black citizens is not for sale, and any offers of donations, or whatever transpired does not benefit those of us who had impressionable youths within earshot of this disgusting mocking, or learned of it later. There will be no ‘calming the coloreds’ because if we remain docile in this matter and take a passive attitude it not only cuts a pathway to additional attacks, it is detrimental to our most important investment, our youth. Dr. King Jr. was a man of action, and change. What you allow, will continue. Therefore, we have reached out to other media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, TJMS, multiple talk shows & others as we will not stop until this matter receives the national attention it deserves. We are also preparing a campaign to target their advertisers, and to BLACKOUT FOX as there are countless other media outlets.
https://www.facebook.com/foxfiremikehernandeznow
KABB FOX 294335 NW Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78229
Main Phone Number: (210)-366-1129
News Desk Number: (210)-442-6318 Main Email:
kabbtv@kabb.com
News Email:
news@kabb.com
foxnewsfirst@foxsanantonio.com
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Hunt Valley, Maryland 21030 FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC, Univision and Azteca affiliates. http://www.sbgi.net/ 410-568-1500 ext 1504 lemccanna@yahoo.com
