A group of more than 40 black leaders across politics and media reportedly slammed MSNBC over its decision to cut ties with controversial weekend anchor Tiffany Cross.
The leaders, including NAACP president Derrick Johnson, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson and ex-ESPN personality Jemele Hill, have requested a meeting with MSNBC president Rashida Jones to address the situation, Semafor reported Monday.
“We are deeply disappointed in the abrupt cancellation of the Cross Connection and the unexpected ouster of its host, just four days before a critical midterm election,” the top officials said in a letter to MSNBC brass.
The ousted anchor’s defenders added the meeting was necessary to “discuss a path forward that is restorative to the reputation and dignity of Ms. Cross.”
In the letter, the officials also criticized MSNBC for deciding not to renew Cross’ contract just a few weeks after Fox News’ Tucker Carlson blasted her comments on race in a segment. During the segment, Carlson accused Cross of “genocidal talk.”
“His intentional misrepresentation of her platform amounted to no less than a direct attack, and should have engendered immediate defense and support of Ms. Cross by her parent network,” the letter said.
“Instead, it appears that NBCUniversal has allowed Fox News to dictate its hiring and unwarranted firing decisions. We cannot afford to be bullied by those who willingly and wantonly drag this country backwards.”
In a separate Twitter thread, Hill said she was “outraged’ by MSNBC’s decision.
An MSNBC spokesperson confirmed to Semafor that the network received the letter.
more BLACKMAIL – where’s Al Sharpton?
They have to be damned poor leaders to promote her vile, racist rants.