Roland Martin from CNN suspended for homophobic words
On Super Bowl Sunday, Roland Martin of CNN issued some homophobic tweets that got him in trouble with gay organizations and this blog. CNN stayed silent on the matter, until just moments ago, when it issued this statement -
“Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being.”
CNN took its time, but it clearly reached a strong decision here. What Martin had tweeted (advocating beatings for men who’d enjoyed the David Beckham underwear ad shown during the Super Bowl plus the same for a New England Patriot clad in a pink suit) was the equivalent of cheerleading for violence against gays.
Roland Martin.
CNN said Wednesday it has suspended political analyst Roland Martin for “regrettable and offensive” Tweets written during the Super Bowl that critics said appeared to call for violence against gays.
“Roland Martin’s Tweets were regrettable and offensive” – the network said in a statement. “Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being.” The statement did not specify how long Roland would be suspended.
“If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him! #superbowl” – one of the Tweets said. “Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass” – said another.
Martin initially said he was referring to soccer fans. “I know what I said, why I said it, and it’s consistent with me cracking on soccer. Deal with it” – he said in another Tweet shortly after the first ones.
But in a posting on his website, Martin later apologized for the remarks. “To those who construed my comment as being anti-gay or homophobic or advancing violence, I’m truly sorry. I can certainly understand how someone could come to a different conclusion than the one I meant. I’m disheartened that my words would embolden prejudice. While public debate over social issues is healthy, no matter which side someone takes, there is no room for debate as to whether we need to be respectful of others.”
Days after the Super Bowl, Roland Martin has suffered a late hit.
The CNN commentator and former Chicago radio host offended gays with a series of Twitter remarks during Sunday’s game, and the news network announced his suspension Wednesday.
“Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive” – CNN said. “Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being.”
Martin (former editor of the Chicago Defender newspaper and ex-host on Chicago’s WVON-AM 1690) tweeted about British soccer player David Beckham’s new underwear ad and about a New England Patriots player wearing a pink suit:
1 – “If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him! #superbowl”
2 – “Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass”
The remarks provoked protests by the gay and lesbian activist group GLAAD, which said Martin was advocating violence against gays.
Reacting to the uproar Monday, Martin wrote – “My joking about smacking someone, whether it was in response to a commercial or food they prepare for a Super Bowl party or wearing an opposing team’s jersey, was stated in jest. It was not meant literally, and in no way would I ever condone someone doing such a thing.”