A US news anchor has apologised after using a racially offensive term about Lady Gaga when covering the Oscars ceremony.
Fox 8 news anchor Kristi Capel told co-presenter Wayne Dawson that she was impressed by Lady Gaga’s tribute to the Sound of Music, but added: “It’s hard to really hear her voice with all the jigaboo music that she does, or whatever you want to call it. She has a gorgeous voice – I never knew!”
“Jigaboo” is a racially offensive term that has been used against African Americans, particularly in the early years of the last century.
Capel took to Twitter to apologise, saying she was not aware of the meaning of the term and expressing “deep regret”:
I deeply regret my insensitive comment. I didn't know the meaning and would never intentionally use hurtful language. I sincerely apologize
— Kristi Capel (@Kristi_Capel) February 23, 2015
However, some Twitter users were unconvinced by Capel’s explanation:
@Kristi_Capel You knew exactly what you were saying because of the context you used it in.
— Melody Kewl (@Being_Melody) February 23, 2015
@Kristi_Capel .... If you didn't know the meaning why use it to describe something ???? That makes zero sense...
— Alfa Betics (@aLpHaBeTiCs) February 23, 2015
Capel responded to one of her critics on Twitter, saying she “didn’t know the meaning behind it or that it was even a word”:
@boycourt93 I do apologize if I offended you, I didn't know the meaning behind it or that it was even a word. Thank you for watching.
— Kristi Capel (@Kristi_Capel) February 23, 2015
However, this further apology did not satisfy those offended by her language:
.@Kristi_Capel @boycourt93 The "I apologize IF I offended you" is the weakest form of apology possible...
— Varnell Hill (@BlackDynamite85) February 23, 2015
The head of her station, Andy Fishman, also apologised for Capel’s language, telling the Cleveland Plain Dealer: “She didn’t even know what the word meant, which is not an excuse. We’ve spoken to her about this, and we’re confident it won’t happen again. From here, we’ll handle it internally.”
Fishman said Capel would not be taken off air and would be back at the channel on Tuesday morning.
WJW Channel 8 is a Fox affiliate station based in Cleveland, Ohio.
