Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Oklahoma City News Anchor Tearfully Apologizes For Comparing Black Co-Host To Gorilla

Oklahoma City News Anchor Tearfully Apologizes For Comparing Black Co-Host To Gorilla
KOCO-TV

A morning TV anchor gave a tearful apology after being called out for comparing her co-anchor to a gorilla during a broadcast last week.

During a segment about a baby gorilla playing with a camera at the Oklahoma City Zoo, KOCO anchor Alex Housden, a white woman, made the remark that it resembled her co-anchor Jason Hackett, a black man.


Hackett took a moment before agreeing.

TV morning anchor Alex Housden to partner: “It (Gorilla) kind of looks like you"www.youtube.com


Hackett's response was seen as polite and trying not to rock the boat but viewers were up in arms.

The concept of comparing black people to monkeys and apes has a long and racist history, one that still isn't over. It was often used to justify race separation and to de-humanize people.

Despite some people thinking racism has been solved, it is still alive and well today, affecting not just race relations, but socio and economic class.

So how did Housden even consider saying something like that?




After a day of backlash, Housden and Hackett returned to the screen, and Housden gave a tearful apology for what she said.

Apology segmentwww.youtube.com


Housden calls Hackett not just a coworker but one of her best friends. She extends the apology beyond him but to their entire community.

Hackett accepts the apology and goes on to say,

"We have to understand the stereotypes, we have to understand each other's backgrounds and the words that hurt, the words that cut deep."

Despite all of this, people were slow to accept the apology.




Many felt that Housden was faking her tears, or only apologizing because she was called out. Others still called for her resignation.

They've taken to responding to photos on her Twitter and Facebook pages to voice their opinions.

On the other hand, some people have accepted her apology. They feel she was genuine and understand that people make mistakes.

They may not approve of her initial comment, but are willing to give her another chance.




Whether you see this as a racist attack with a crocodile tear follow up, or an accident with a genuine apology, there is no denying the effects of racism on our society today.

Even if some people really want to claim racism has nothing to do with race, those in this country who aren't white still have to deal with these incidents all the time.

Think about the experience of the people around you before you go comparing anyone in your life to an animal.

More from Trending

People Reveal The Dark Secrets They Discovered About Someone After They Died

Sometimes you never know who someone is until they're gone.

Everyone has their secrets.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jesse Watters; Hakeem Jeffries
Fox News; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Jesse Watters Pathetically Tries To Burn Hakeem Jeffries With Bizarre 'Rule For Men' Rant

Fox News personality Jesse Watters was widely mocked after he criticized House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for having recently shared a photo of himself on Instagram that appeared to be digitally altered—with the bench he was leaning against noticeably warped around his hips.

You can see Jeffries' photo below.

Keep ReadingShow less
Snoop Dogg
Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images

Snoop Dogg's Puppy Instagram Breaks Internet

Snoop Dogg introduced his fans to the newest little bow-wow in his household, a puppy named Baby Boy Broadus.

The adorable small tan French bulldog made his debut on the rapper’s Instagram account on June 28th, sporting a Louis Vuitton leash and chewing on his owner’s Death Row Jacket.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
DRM News/YouTube

Trump Ripped After Going Off On Bonkers Rant About Room's Decor During Cabinet Meeting

During Tuesday's cabinet meeting while the press was in attendance, MAGA Republican President Donald Trump gave a rambling stream of consciousness speech that went all over the place before landing on paint versus gold leaf, leading people to again question the POTUS' mental acuity amid a notable cognitive decline.

In a disjointed monologue about the decor in the cabinet room, Trump said he stole a grandfather clock from Secretary of State Marco Rubio's office and chose a painting of James Polk because the frame matched the frame around his favorite President—Andrew Jackson.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshots of Eric Adams
@ericadamsfornyc/Instagram

NYC Mayor Eric Adams Roasted After Viewers Notice Awkward Detail In His 'Morning Routine' Video

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was widely mocked after he shared a video on social media of his "morning routine," with time stamps showing his activities—only for viewers to notice that a standard black-and-white wall clock visible in part of the video showed a very different time.

Adams jumped on the latest Instagram trend this week, sharing his version of a “morning routine” video with his followers. The trend, which has already begun to fade, typically features sped-up clips of people going through their early rituals—complete with edits, ambient music, and timestamp overlays.

Keep ReadingShow less