Colin Kaepernick, Monroe Bergdorf and Jemele Hill have all been unfortunate reminders of the consequences black people face whilst calling out white supremacy. As the public refuses to acknowledge the actual racists who spout insults and slurs about every marginalized group in this country, anti-racists who are brave enough to call a spade a spade, are being publicly shamed and labeled "divisive" figures. In the name of diversity (read: protecting white feelings) they've lost jobs, been forced to apologize and called "racists" themselves. Kaepernick, Bergdorf and Hill symbolize what we know to be true — that there is power and influence in speaking truth, but often that power and influence is met with risking ones livelihood. This post-politically-correct-pop-culture-normal leaves anyone with an ounce of critical thinking dumbfounded. To reflect on the ridiculousness of our latest current events, let's take a trip down memory lane and discuss 10 times white people weren't fired for actually being racist.
1. Donald Trump
President Trump should have been disqualified from the presidential election the moment he called Mexicans "rapists," evoking a label that has been consistently used to hypersexualize and vilify men of color. This disgusting moment highlighted that he'd empower and encourage the hate that birthed this nation.
2. Bill Maher
On live television, Maher stated, "Work in the fields? I'm a house nigga." Following obvious outrage, Maher gave a weak apology and still kept his show. Maher is also known for saying repeatedly offensive things about Muslims in America. Maher is an unabashed racist who continues to be racist without any detriment to his career.
3. Maria Sharapova
White mediocrity at its finest. Maria's latest book is reported to include racially offensive commentary about Serena Williams and her body. Sharapova and many others in the tennis community have continuously gotten away with covert and overt racism against Williams.
4. Jesse Watters
Fox News anchor Jesse Watters was not fired for an extremely racist segment in which he interviews guests in New York City's Chinatown, mocking them repeatedly. The segment was a new low, even for Fox.
5. CNN Hosts Alisyn Camerota and Chris Cumo
Camerota and Cumo ridiculed a 12-year-old spelling bee champion. After asking Ananya Vinay, who is of Indian origin, to spell Covfefe, Camerota states, "We're not sure the root [of Covefe] is in Sanskrit, which is what you're probably used to using." Camerota was not fired for this racist commentary.
6. Harry J Houck
CNN's resident anti-black correspondent, Houck, has made some of the most outlandish comments about black people, Black Lives Matter and policing in America, yet, remains the "Law Enforcement Analyst" at CNN.
7. Megyn Kelly
While working for Fox News, Kelly infamously stated, with strong conviction, that Santa and Jesus are both white men, reinforcing Eurocentric and white supremacist ideology around Christianity. Kelly remains one of the highest paid journalists on air, and currently works for NBC.
8. Congressman Steve King
King once tweeted, "We can't restore our civilization with somebody else's babies." When asked to clarify what he met, King reenforced his commentary, which many believe to be advocating for racial cleansing. King did not apologize for his statements and remains a member of congress.
9. Amy Robach
While speaking about movie roles being given to people of color, Good Morning America host, Amy Robach, said the following: "We all know Hollywood has received recent and quite a bit of criticism for casting white actors in what one might assume should be a role reserved for colored people." Amy remains a GMA anchor.
10. Julie Delpy
In a discussion about films at Sundance, actress and director Julie Delpy said the following: “Two years ago, I said something about the Academy being very white male, which is the reality, and I was slashed to pieces by the media. It’s interesting — women can’t talk. I sometimes wish I were African American because people don’t bash them afterward.” Delpy remains respected in film and is the latest recipient of the European Achievement in World Cinema award.
