by Michelle Sicignano, LMSW, Staff Writer, Social Justice Solutions
Most of us by now have heard the news reports of Rhonda Lee, the African American female meteorologist fired for responding to a viewers Facebook criticism of her hair style.
These two links relate the details:
Meteorologist fired after responding to viewer who didn’t like her hair
Meteorologist Fired for Responding to ‘Racist’ Facebook Post
Rhonda Lee’s response was professional and courteous. She explicitly stated that she is proud of her heritage, looks, and chosen natural hairstyle, and is cognizant of her position as a role model. I applaud her response, which in part states, “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.” People come in all shapes and sizes yet our society rewards a very specific, often unattainable standard of beauty.
The viewer referred to Ms. Lee as “the black lady,” and criticized her short hair. His idea of a standard of acceptable appearance for TV personalities is archaic, and ignorant, and in my view misogynistic. His reference of her was objectifying, and his opinion is that women shouldn’t have short hair, unless they have cancer. Sadly, however, it is perhaps the view of much of society. I cannot fathom the TV stations choice in firing Rhonda Lee as any thing other than misogynistic and racially motivated. She violated no company rules or policies, was courteous and professional, and attempted to raise awareness of perhaps unrealized differences. It brings to mind Hillary Clinton questioning the reporter who asked about which designer she was wearing. In any industry other than fashion, more women need to challenge these types of inquires as being in any way acceptable.
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Michelle, Good write-up and topic! After reading all the information- including to the 2 attached articles – I am making a guess here and saying that is not why she was fired. If she was to pursue, if she has not already done so, there was nothing wrong with her response-it was very professional and confirmed pride for her ethnicity and culture.
If I read it correctly, she was fired re: information that was discussed at a meeting she was not present at? That raised a ‘red flag’ for me…… Was the information shared by her employer at a later point? If not, why not?
The downside to social media is this example-why even respond to a viewer who is showing negative/derogatory tendencies? Especially on a Facebook account? The employer should have done that in her defense.
I do see the benefit to being a role model for youth and her comments did exactly that I am sure!
This is what I wrote on the initial post:
The comment( The watcher’s not the meteorologist’s) was inappropriate in a myriad ways. Since when is it not ok to let it be known that you might have lost your hair due to cancer or some other health condition. This woman is showing up for work and doing her job, isn’t she? As for the hair thing, when I read the initial news, I was visualizing an Angela Davies beautiful Afro (of which having limp and lame European hair I am very envious), and when I looked at the picture I saw a woman with short hair framed in a very nice face. What is the problem and why would she be fired for her answer? It was extremely well mannered, clear and non-judgmental. I hope she sues the station because that was blatant racism and sexism all in one horrendous ugly package.
Beauty is quite subective. What one person likes, another may not. And there is nothing wrong with that. Viewers have a right to criticise- and the criciticised has a right to respond. Her firing was wrong. Doesn’t make the poster that criticised her wrong- it’s an opinion. But her firing was unjust.
Agree that beauty is subjective and there isn’t anything inherently wrong with that, However, the comment was not strictly one of preference, such as I prefer women to have long hair or I don’t like short hair on women or long hair on men. I would have no objection what something along those lines. However, saying “the black lady,” in the same comment that stresses his opinion that the only acceptable reason a woman should have short hair is if she has cancer is blatantly sexist and dehumanizing. The only way to tackle ism’s in our society is to begin to recognize them for what they are. In the grand scheme of things where his comment’s over the top? No. But it is part of a systemic problem.
If she is a black lady, why is it wrong to say that she is black, and a lady? His comment about cancer was crude and inconsiderate- absolutely.