Anchor Returns After Racist Gaffe
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Earlier this month, FTVLive told you that WIFR (Rockford) Anchor Andy Gannon dropped the N-Word while doing a story on former Chicago White Sox great Minnie Miñoso being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Gannon apologized for what he said was a slip of the tongue. “I inadvertently and accidentally said a clearly offensive and derogatory word," Gannon said during a newscast at noon Monday. "It was a misspeak, but it was spoken. And for that, I sincerely apologize."
The station also apologized and Gannon was apparently suspended after NAACP Rockford Branch President Rhonda Greer demanded disciplinary action be taken.
Gannon returned to the air yesterday morning.
Greer says she is disappointed that WIFR did not reach out to her. "They didn't think it was important to contact the NAACP to clarify what happened or to discuss the betterment of the station or how we could work through this as a community to link together so that these types of mishaps don't occur again," Greer said. "Just come to the table as a connected community and have a discussion about how the community felt about what was said and elaborate on solutions."
NAACP Freeport Branch issued a letter signed by branch president Patricia L. Norman supporting the position of the Rockford Branch of the NAACP.
The letter recommended Gannon participate in diversity training, saying that a mishap like this "often happens because that word is a part of one's vernacular and values."
"Since Mr. Gannon's apology, he has been noticeably absent and we are pleased that management took immediate steps to address the situation," Norman wrote. "However, when a public figure, a news anchor, uses the "N" word on air, there must be consequences that have teeth, consequences that ensure this does not happen in the future."
