Jeremy Kappell was fired from WHEC-TV in Rochester, New York after he inadvertently said "Martin Luther Coon King Junior Memorial Park" on the air. In a radio interview with me tonight, Kappell said he never even heard his own mistake. Truth of intent didn't get in the way of a nice public stoning. Social Justice Warriors assembled the internet mob and ---BOOM!--- Kappell was fired. Ill-informed EMOTIONAL ALL CAPS INTERNET RAGING prevails over logic once again. Did anyone think to ask Jeremy Kappell's co-workers, neighbors, or other people in regular contact with him ask about his racial temperament? I worked with him. He's one of the kindest people I've ever known. His WHAS-TV workmates Ben Pine and Reed Yadon were
Tag: dr. martin luther king jr.
Bill Stokes, my brother from another mother
William Albert "Bill" Stokes died last week. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Seven years ago, he taught me one of the most enlightening, compassionate lessons of my life at a moment when I was way out of my comfort zone. The day after he and I co-hosted a mostly improvisational show in front of an African American audience, I wrote this blog post. It was truly one of the greatest experiences of my life. ----------------- BACK IN BLACK I have always had an affinity for African American people. Their music always moved me more than the bland songs sung by white performers. Their distinctly different clothing choices made me want to be colorful like them instead of rigid and uniform