On March 8, a morning news anchor in Jackson, Mississippi, was fired after quoting lyrics from a Snoop Dogg song during a live broadcast.
Barbie Bassett, the former anchor for WLBT, was discussing Snoop Dogg’s new wine, Snoop Cali Blanc, with her co-anchor and a meteorologist when she uttered the lyrics containing slang usage of the N-word.
As the segment came to a close, Bassett exclaimed, “Fo shizzle, my nizzle,” a phrase that Snoop Dogg popularized in his music.
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While her co-anchor Wilson Stribling appeared unfazed, the meteorologist, Patrick Ellis, was seen laughing before suddenly stopping when Bassett uttered the controversial lyrics.
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The video of the incident was posted on social media and has since gone viral, receiving over a million views.
Twitter users reacted to the incident, with many expressing mixed opinions about Bassett’s firing.
Some felt that she was simply being enthusiastic about Snoop Dogg’s wine and had no idea what she was saying, while others criticized her for using a racial slur on live television.
One user even joked, “That ww said fo shizzle my nizzle and her badge buzzed when she tried to clock in the next day.”
It’s worth noting that the use of the N-word, even in the context of song lyrics, is a sensitive issue in the United States due to its historical associations with racism and oppression.
While some argue that it’s acceptable to use the word in certain contexts, such as in music or among friends, others believe that it should never be used by anyone who isn’t Black.
WLBT’s decision to fire Bassett for her comment is in line with the station’s code of ethics, which prohibits the use of racially insensitive language.
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In a statement released after the incident, the station said that “WLBT is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive community for all our viewers in Mississippi.
We have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or racism on our station.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being mindful of the language we use, especially when we’re in positions of influence or authority.
While Bassett’s firing may seem harsh to some, it sends a clear message that racially insensitive language is unacceptable in any context.
