Earlier this week, Jemele Hill, a SportsCenter anchor, posted a tweet speaking out about how she feels President Donald Trump is a white supremacist.
Donald Trump is a white supremacist who has largely surrounded himself w/ other white supremacists.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 11, 2017
This tweet made a lot of people angry. Hill was undeterred, clapping back at those criticizing her views.
The height of white privilege is being able to ✌????ignore✌????his white supremacy, because it's of no threat to you. Well, it's a threat to me.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 11, 2017
Trump is the most ignorant, offensive president of my lifetime. His rise is a direct result of white supremacy. Period.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 11, 2017
He is unqualified and unfit to be president. He is not a leader. And if he were not white, he never would have been elected
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) September 12, 2017
On Tuesday, ESPN released a statement via Twitter condemning Hill for her comments. The network explained that Hill's feelings did not match its feelings on the matter.
The statement also mentions that Hill was reprimanded, and that "she recognizes her actions were inappropriate."
ESPN Statement on Jemele Hill: pic.twitter.com/3kfexjx9zQ
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 12, 2017
Black Twitter was taken aback by ESPN's statement, and wasted no time running to Hill's defense.
ESPN Statement on Jemele Hill:
It's inapproapriate to call a racist a racist, and she knows that.
So sick and cowardly. https://t.co/QNVqTJ2B2N
— OMG, LaJethro (@LaJethroJenkins) September 12, 2017
so jemele hill got in trouble for saying what trump actually is?? pic.twitter.com/qDhsGohLG5
— patrick cacaw (@abignbahole) September 12, 2017
*Jemele Hill calls Trump a Nazi apologist* "REPREHENSIBLE!!!"
*Nazi says people who look like Hill should die* "Hear him out. Free speech"
— Kno (@Kno) September 12, 2017
Jemele Hill out here speaking the truth and these cupcakes can't handle it.
— ???? (@MartyOropeza) September 12, 2017
Utterly amazing how the President can give all the clear signals of being a white supremacist, but Jemele Hill can't say so out loud. https://t.co/Jnok6bVtjN
— En Sabah Moor (@AndrayDomise) September 12, 2017
I'm so depressed all my favorite sports are ruled by racist shit-head white men. Jemele hill has to apologize for 45 remarks meanwhile
— Strokely Carmichael (@IllestCreation) September 12, 2017
On the other side of the debate are the president's supporters, many of whom are proposing a possible boycott of the network until Hill is fired.
ESPN has not addressed these calls for Hill's firing, however.
