Since I don’t watch Spanish-language television, I really have no idea who “Rodner Figueroa” is beyond the meager description of “a newly disgraced ex-Univision host.” Univision and Telemundo are the top-rated Spanish-language networks in North America, and apparently Figueroa is a relatively well-known TV host on Univision. He’s even won a Daytime Emmy.
Figueroa was part of a segment on El Gordo Y La Flaca in which he was talking about makeup transformations with a makeup artist names Paolo Ballesteros. At some point during the segment, Figueroa pointed to a photo of Michelle Obama and said, “Mind you, you know that Michelle Obama looks like she’s part of the cast of Planet of the Apes, the film.” You know what gets so completely exhausting? The fact that the Obamas have been in the White House for more than six years and people still think it’s “funny” or appropriate to compare them to monkeys, whether it’s a Univision host or senior officials in Ferguson, Missouri.
Anyway, after Figueroa made the comment, the other host, Raul de Molina, seemed shocked by the comments apparently. Social media blew up, justifiably. And within just a few hours, Univision had fired Figueroa. I kind of love that they didn’t half-ass it and “suspend” him while the situation was “investigated” or whatever. Univision released a statement too:
“Yesterday during our entertainment program El Gordo y La Flaca, Rodner Figueroa made comments regarding First Lady Michelle Obama that were completely reprehensible and in no way reflect Univision’s values or views. As a result, Mr. Figueroa was immediately terminated.”
That’s the way to do it, man. Say something awful and ADIOS. I should note that Figueroa has released his own lengthy statement directed to Michelle Obama personally, offering his “sincerest apologies” and saying in part:
“I want to make it clear that I’m not racist and my comment wasn’t directed personally to you, but to the characterization of the artist, that left a lot to be desired. The clip in full context is proof. I feel embarrassed, I ask for forgiveness, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to make those types of comments that can be interpreted as offensive and racist in a volatile moment that we live in our country. I take full responsibility for the lack of judgement in my part, but I can’t accept that I am being called a racist, being fired for that reason and being humiliated by Univision after working there for 17 years. I come from a bi-racial Latin family, with family members, like my father, who is Afro-Latino. I am the first presenter on Hispanic TV that is openly gay and I am an activist for causes that favor minorities that have been discriminated against just like me. I openly voted twice for your husband Barack Obama, because I consider him a great man that respects minorities, like me, in this country.”
I think it’s perfectly possible that he made a terrible mistake and he wasn’t trying to say something awful, disrespectful and racist about FLOTUS. I also think it’s possible that he doth protest too much. What’s Michelle’s verdict?
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I watch univision and I never liked him.
Univision (and Telemundo) fascinates and baffles me. i used to work as a bartender in Manhattan. I would get to the bar to open it, and the porters who were finishing up always had the television on to one of those networks. I saw a lot of very racist things boradcast that would never fly here, like blackface. i don’t ever remember seeing anyone who was black or asian on it.
That’s something that isn’t touched on about racism here in the country: minority on minority., The immigrant opinion of African Americans from other cultures is – to put it lightly- not always very kind. I have no idea what someone from Ferguson would think if I put him or her in all the taxi cabs I’ve ridden and had to deal with a driver giving his opinion on “the black people in this country”. And several of the crits will come from immigrants of African nations too!
As for this guy, he was very careless with his remark. this is the fallout– if you work in media, ignorance is really not an excuse anymore.
I shouldn’t have to write IMO here – but it is never appropriate to compare a human to a monkey – volatile moments in history, or not.
Glad they fired him. Bye Bye Felicia!
‘I come from a bi-racial Latin family, with family members, like my father, who is Afro-Latino.’ haha I was waiting for the ‘ I have black friends ‘ part of the apology. When will people learn?
Wouldn’t Rodner also be part Afro-Latino, if his father is? Why wouldn’t he just say that?
One would think
Because he doesn’t consider himself “Afro-Latino”. It’s called self-hate.
Well he says “I come from a biracial family”, hence he’s biracial. HE just probably fells himself too handsome and cool for school.
Also, and it is not justification, if he is from the same ethnic background, he probably felt he could criticize anyone, including FLOTUS. He was so insensitive and idiotic think he would not have repercussions since he works in an international TV company. Comments like these ,in such a moment in the USA, with so much racial tension, he deserved to get fired.
as a Black latina I can Assure you those are sometimes the WORST families cause they feel free to say the worst type of shit with utter impunity
To Rodner: He could have kept that trash ass apology.. How you’re gonna apologize, try to give your resume for NO ass reason and parse and then BLAME her for getting your ass fired, YOU are the one who said this mess
To Univision: They just fired him cause it was public cause let me tell you who won their last Halloween Costume contest In House: A man in drag and Blackface doing a old woman latin slavery stereotype of “La Negra Tomasa” how do i know that? cause I SAW the pics from my friend who works there and has in fact Half black kids and was Apoplectic and didn”t know what to do and they all gathered around that sh!t kee keeing and what not, THIS is the type of sh!t bred from not having afro latinos represented as part and parcel of Latin culture, this is why there are petitions circulating around that we need to be represented as NORMAL, WIDE part of Latin Culture, we are black, we speak spanish, we are NOT just maids, or thugs in soaps , if Univision had Black Latinos both on tv and Staff as an every day occurrence and not just the token african americans or haitians that might not speak the language or understand wtf they are saying HOW comfortable would Rodner Figeroa and his producers etc would have been to a) Make that “Joke” B) Air It
Trust me I can keep ranting about this mess but I wont but this type of Routine offensive commentary and microaggressions and Utter invisivility is WHY I don’t bother with Univison/Telemundo/Mundo Fox/ Trips To Miami Etc
Oops what you said, QQ, sometimes we feel entitled to be our worst enemy. I am from a Latin country and we feel that we can criticize each other apart, mock and make cruel fun of ourselves, but if anyone like from Top Gear or whatever says something, we go in defensive mode.
He was so wrong in criticizing M.O. I think she is beautiful and has I great personality.
I have a sis in the USA who is full on conservative and I had to block her FB feed because it was replete of mockery for the FLOTUS and POTUS. It was sickening.
Preach! Half assed apologies or any apology under pressure is useless when it’s not sincere.
Actually, Univision does have Afro-Latinos in their staff, one of them is Tony Andrade, he´s very liked between the public, one of his main works is in “Primer Impacto” one of univision´s top shows. He is a very well respected reporter.
Yes Lena But Tony Dandrade and Ilia Machado are 2 People of color in a sea of damned near teutonic looking latinos , that is Tokenism at it’s finest , and again i’m speaking as someone who knows Univision staff and he constantly tells me appalling stories of the stuff that flies and how few Black Latinos are under the employ of Univision on a good day
Ennie: not just that the Colorism and rampant assimilation of Spain’s culture as “our Motherland” ( when Colon Literally just went there to rape and pillage and sicken that natives) in a place like DR that saw Slavery and Killing of Tainos and the vilification of Blackness and Black standards ( see Haitians treatment in DR for a quick history) is just …terrible, my people have done and continue to do themselves a disservice trying to bury the lead of black Culture and features and race being a part an integral part of Latin Culture
ditto with Panama and how good 70-80 percent of the populace IS black but if you watch their advertising or tv channels you wouldn’t suspect it
Or Brazil’s nth categories and ways of saying ” I LOOK black but im NOT Black-black”
Thank you, and to another poster below, Lola, for stating this, and for being so adamant in your refusal to tolerate racism. My family is from the Caribbean and it makes me so frustrated when people deny the racism that exists there and throughout the rest of Latin America.
Great points, QQ.
Just unbelievable. Bye.
He’s talking about the male make-up artist’s portrayal of Michele Obama, not Michele Obama, right? Not that this was EVER a good choice of descriptors, it is a racist statement, but I don’t think he said this ABOUT the first lady. I’m just trying to clarify.
It’s hard to say. I thought he was talking about how she looked in general and not how she was portrayed but I think since it’s sort of ambiguous it gives him some weasel room. Bottom line was he shouldn’t have used that analogy no matter what the context.
@ Kiddo yes I also thought after reading it that his mistake was his choice of words because historically moneys and apes have been used to describe black people. But I think he just meant the artist portrayal of Michelle was bad. It’s like if he had said Kim Kardashians version looked like an oompa loompa, but in this day and age people need to be careful what they say.
I saw it, I speak Spanish and I personally think this is either Backtracking Or at Best MAAAYYYYBBE they edited it that way but he said : Michelle Obama Looks Like the Cast of Planet of the Apes- Full stop the other too smirked or whatever for a moment and tried to be like Nooooo she is cute
Thanks QQ.
I speak Spanish and when I first saw the clip it sounded 100% like he said FLOTUS looks like a cast member from blah blah blah. Then I read his letter and listened to the clip again and I still hear and understand it as if he is saying that about FLOTUS, not the makeup artist.
If that’s what QQ got from it, I say it’s WORD.
My video is blocked and I take her word.
as if he didn’t know that calling black people “monkeys” had any racial connotation or history.
GFY, man.
Exactly. He crossed a line and is now reaping his reward.
Michelle is perfect. That gif of her rolling her eyes at boehner will never get old.
Word on. She can do no wrong.
Seriously?
Umm, yes, seriously. People who are allowed to like figures that you may not agree with. Doesn’t mean their viewpoint is invalid or needs to be justified to you.
Yes @Francesca seriously. I love educated, beautiful, classy, strong, witty women. I guess I’m weird like that.
Speak for yourself. Thank you.
Allie is speaking for herself. No where in her comments do I see a collective statement. IMO, your popping in here to say “speak for yourself” says a lot about who you really are and why you even bothered commenting on an FLOTUS article.
Perfect remark, Allie.
Did he make the comment about the actual Michelle Obama, or how the makeup artist’s representation of Michelle Obama looked? Because I gotta tell you, I am a black woman and when I saw that makeup artist’s side by side I kind of thought the same thing. Michelle Obama the person is gorgeous….that dude’s 400-lbs of makeup transformation that was supposed to be her wasn’t as lovely at all.
I agree. But nuance is not the meadia’s or the public’s strong suit. People hear what they want and using the word ape any where near a comment about a black person is asking for trouble. He should have known better.
Asking for trouble? It is trouble. And this isn’t a question of nuance or gray areas – the words he chose were offensive whether he was referring to Michelle or the makeup artist’s rendition. Not everything is contextual. If someone yells fire in a crowded theater the authorities aren’t going to care about nuance.
Except the make up artist was essentially in black face. He should be called out as well as the person who made the comment. Criticizing a white person who makes themselves up to look like a black person is not the same as calling a black person an ape. But it was a stupid thing to say.
What? Okay, let’s split hairs until there’s nothing left. I can’t with your logic. Good day all the same.
He deserved to get fired and his apology is garbage.
A lot of racists are known to equate black people to apes/gorillas. That is why he got fired – because the word “ape” has an ugly history of being tossed at black people. Soccer fans in Europe are known to throw bananas at black players and make monkey noises whenever one of them has the ball.
I like how he seems to be implying that since he is a person of color and gay that he can’t discriminate against others. Whatever.
I know.
Yeah, it bothers me that his apology is like 80% him defending himself, “I’m a good person, I’m a minority, I voted for Obama.” He said something inexcusable, no matter what who he is.
I think the network handled that correctly, prompt and with no wavering.
This made me all rage-y until I read his letter to the First Lady – I couldn’t stop laughing at his cringeing. Then I felt all rage-y again.
Damned dirty broadcaster.
“Dirty” is a racist perjorative for people of color. Just saying.
It’s a take on a line from Planet of the Apes. “Damned dirty apes”
Dirty is a racist perjorative for people of color? Double wtf?
Not even?! If calling someone dirty conjures up race then that’s all you. Using the word with a racist slur is something totally different. I second what IMO said, he’s a dirty broadcaster.
Google “dirty Mexican.” It’s been a racist slur for a long time … even has its own Urban Dictionary definition.
There is a famous line from Planet of the Apes: “damned, dirty apes!” It has nothing to do with the broadcaster.
I think this whole thread is shocking – European soccer fans and bananas? People calling each other dirty?!!! The Planet of the Apes film itself, seems embedded with racist comments – SHOCKING! (I must have been insulated in my communities – or I don’t hang out with people like that). I am overwhelmed for the young people.
On the other hand, my father was openly racist (in remarks), but I didn’t believe him for a minute, when I had my own eyes that told me freckles and skin tones, are mere variations on a theme.
Unless he was Univision’s Jeremy Clarkson, why would he EVER think that comment is not problematic? There’s no context in which you make that statement and not sound all wrong (unless you call that name to your buddy with a similar sense of humour).
Also, all races can be racist. Mixed races too. So he can’t get a free pass on that excuse.
This. And I think that’s exactly the reason why he’s racist. I was just talking about it yesterday, in Latin America (he’s said to be from Venezuela) it’s perfectly okay to be racist towards natives, blacks or even against each other due to social reasons. It’s considered funny and those offended should “get over themselves”.
This “fashion expert” felt comfortable saying that because that’s probably how he talks all the time.
This
Sad, but true.
I was coming here to mention something along those lines, but you summarized perfectly, sad but true.
Dear Univision host, you are publicly broadcasting and cannot spout off offensively and expect no repercussions. This is our First Lady, a highly educated, impressive, fashionable, fit woman (seriously how many First Ladies are attorneys and have great arms) so show some respect.
That he protests that he is not racist – it’s about time *being* racist has become a pejorative. It’s time for all of us to find ourselves, a part of the “human race”; for which empathy distinguishes us – but not from animals. Animals can show empathy to one another – I don’t believe that animals are evil (just hungry, sometimes).
He should have known better. I can’t believe he didn’t think the comment could have brought consequences! Hmm maybe they’ll find a place for him in Fox News lol
If he comes from a bi-racial family he should have been aware of how statements like that are disgraceful and hurtful. Would he make a racial comment like that to his father? Bitch please
Oh, yes, they would, maybe not his father per se, who knows, but any of his friends, yes.
There are families, and there are families. Some are very respectful and others joke too crassly.
Thank you to a network who did not wiffle waffle! I don’t care if he insulted Michelle, the makeup artist or the makeup representation of Michelle, comparing any of the three to an ape was RUDE and uncalled for, adios is right. Why cannot people learn that it is wrong, not only to mock someone’s appearance, but to do so with a racist taint? A**hole.
What a douche. No excuses!
Michelle Obama is gorgeous. She would cut him like a hot knife through butter with one look.
No excuse. The monkey/ape thing is so disgusting and tired. It was used to denigrate the Irish, too.
Absolutely disgusting and he got what he deserved. I read the comments on the local news Facebook page and felt sick, lots of people agreeing with him and saying he didn’t lie, and of course idiots screaming about his first amendment rights….sometimes I really hate Alabama.
Ugh, the freedom of speech defense. I just read a local story here about a county supervisor who for a long time sent racist and sexually harassing emails to his coworkers. The woman who first reported him was told she should change jobs (!!!) and then he finally “resigned” before any action could be taken. And sure enough, there were the “but, but, but free speech!” criers in the comments. It’s amazing how few people truly understand that, or that there are always consequences.
Ugh is right. I live in the hometown of a high ranking Democrat and some park officials were talking about naming rights for a new park — someone (clearly not Democrats) suggested naming the rest rooms/urinals after this person. A few people complained about the crassness and inappropriateness of this discussion among our elected officials and of course the overwhelming defense was…first amendment. Sigh.
UGH…yeah, you have the right to say it, and I have the right to be disgusted by what you way.
Freedom of speech doesn’t equal freedom from criticism.
Ugh I’m so tired of people bemoaning the death of “freedom of speech” every time some racist douchebag says something racist and gets criticized/fired for it. Has this man been scooped off the street and thrown in a jail cell for saying it? Nope. Freedom of speech is alive, then, so STFU.
I read a comment on this very site once from an Argentinean woman complaining about how they group her people with the rest of ‘us ethnic’ people when you come to the US and what a pity that was. The thing is that any light skin upper class South American thinks it’s OK to speak this way. This is everyday talk in Venezuela, Colombia…etc… Where as here is not as socially acceptable and it blew in his face.
I just mentioned something similar.
It’s a disgrace, specially when part of the “game” is to point it out on others, so nobody questions your own skin color.
I once was in a baby-shower where all of us were South American, there was a Venezuelan guy who nearly had a heart attack when I walked in. He kept saying “oh it has gotten so dark in here” “what happened to the light?” I have a feeling, Lena and Lola have said, that he had never interacted with anyone who was not upper class light skinned before. So finally my friend got tired of listening to him and said “you know what? you will find out that this is the only country in the world where you are not white!” Sure enough six months later we ran into the guy at a music festival he went from being upper class to washing dishes at a restaurant and suddenly he was so happy to see us. Latin people, people he could suddenly relate to! If people think the racial disconnect is high in the US, it is nothing compare to South America and Europe.
Sadly thats true, I am mexican, living in southeastern Mexico since birth where there is a very large population of spanish ancestry that never mixed with the natives and it is very common for people to mock any other mexican who has darker skin or curly hair, in mexico we call “prieto” a person with dark skin, and of course it is an insult. Even within a family, if one of the daughters is darker than the others, she for sure will be nick named “la negra” or “the black one”. And that is between us mexicans, now imagine how we express ourselves about peruvians or guatemalans that are considered “indios” in our society. And in upper class groups they wash their kids hair with chamomile water since birth to make it lighter. But, in our society, black people from Us or europe are considered handsome and exotic not “prietos”. I think every society is racist in one way or another, and it is a very ugly festure of us as humans.
I always admired how in Mexico we can call people like that and is nothing offensive and nobody gets offended. I know I’m prieta , I don’t care.
Also that’s how friends of Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu call him, no? El Negro? And it’s like very known and is not offensive at all. We also call whites güeros, short girls chaparra o chaparrita.
So, I’ve never felt it racist but maybe if you feel that way. Who knows, but that there is racism in Mexico, definitely, I just don’t think that that is racist.
I agree, Chem, maybe for some it is aggressive, or it depends on the context.
A student may feel bullied because they call him names, but there are also derogative names for those “too light”, the will call him besucona (a white lizard), or whatever other thing you want to say.
I can attest that we have had students of all different skin color and types of hair where I work and there have been certainly afro-mexicans with family roots in other parts of the country (unusual where we live) and they have not been bullied.
What I have seen is a family with roots in Texas where the father and children are black and the kids did stood out because of their culture, they were more “American” than Mexican because of their cultue, and they dressed that way. Their hair was also styled different, since the few mexicans with (probable) African blood do not style their hair as we see in pics. I don’t know If I am explaining myself.
Yup. Unfortunately, this is prevalent and widespread in Latin America. We’re ashamed of anything that’s not White/European.
First racism – is in the Bible, where Adam calls Eve, bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh… How did Cain come to find a wife in the land of Nod (Gen 4: 17)? – apparently his wife wasn’t of Adam’s flesh (patriarchal hijacking of birth, and whom we call “Adam’s” descendants). I’ll bet some believe that Adam was the first white man in paradise. With Genesis, I put down the Bible forever. And just saying, from outer space, with it’s blue and it’s green and white, it looks like a paradise, that we should cherish forever, as our true progenitor – we are of the earth.
An ex GF was a 1%er from Bolivia, and she was horrible this way, and also slammed the Bolivian Prez for being progressive and a populist. That’s one main reason why we broke up: I cannot be around who uses slurs that casually, and who thinks that way. Thanksgiving dinner is bad enough.
Love Mrs. Obama.
Sorry folks, but only White people can be racist. Racism is a manifestation of power, and since White people have the power in this society, they are the only people who can be guilty of this particular crime. This man is Hispanic and Black, which means he does not qualify. What he said was dumb and tasteless, but it wasn’t racist.
You clearly have never been to a latin american country, but trust me, it can get as bad as in the USA.
Natives get accused of the most ridiculous crimes (a woman who sold ice-creams at a small market was accused of kidnapping 6 men from the military and sentenced to 21 years in prison) and they’re not even offered a translator in case they don’t speak spanish. Recently, a student of Guatemala who was doing a Mater’s or a PhD (can’t remember) wasn’t allowed to go in a Stabucks because of her ‘ethnic’ clothes.
And the same goes for anybody whose skin is darker than the one being offensive.
ANYONE, of ANY skin colour, can be racist.
Totally agree.
Oh please.
wrongo
What he said was racist. You’re talking about classism. The two are often intertwined, but they are not the same.
What a tool. And his “joke” is especially irksome In light of the fact that no president has supported the human rights of the lgbt community more than Obama.
Yeah somehow the monkey and watermelon jokes never end with the Obama’s, no matter how educated and hardworking they are.
If the First Lady and president can keep getting this crap then I await the excuses about how racism doesn’t exist for everyone else.
Yeah, try convincing the Southern states, Bible-belt, Republican caucus…
He should NOT Have said what he said and his apology isn’t. It does cross into the completely inappropriate line. It was bad– very very bad.
Having said that, I myself have been caught up in Michelle Obama-drama. Because I don’t think she’s attractive. And I’ve stated so in the past, and I’ve been monitored for it and also accused of racism and hate. Because I don’t think she’s attractive? Comments get made here about people’s looks all the time–hell, MOST Of the time. I clearly recognize I’m in the minority on here in that opinion. However I just don’t find her attractive. I would explain why I don’t see her as attractive but then it will just create more drama and I’m not into that. I will however say this — saying ANYTHING negative about her appearance gets you slammed a dozen different ways to Sunday. SHe’s just hands off and that seems ridiculous to me as well. Classic over political correction. Because discussing Barbara Bush as looking older than her husband, dowdy etc …. happened with regularity. Discussing HIllary’s headbands and black pantstuits….happened with regularity. But say anything negative about Michelle Obama? NNNNNOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo…HOW DARE YOU!
But what he said? Totally deserves the censure and reaction he got.
I agree. I do not think MO is attractive. I think she is homely. I am not from your country and did not know of blacks being referred to as apes was derogatory. I know a white person who does look like an ape. Is that ok
I don’t understand why people would think you’re a racist by saying Michelle is unattractive. I know black people who find her unattractive and I know they aren’t racists.
I don’t think Michelle is gorgeous, or even pretty–but she has a certain je ne sais quois about her, that makes her attractive. She’s not someone you forget, after you meet her. I think that’s better than being beautiful.
I got reprimanded for comparing her to a black female middle aged character on a popular black family sitcom in the 1970s . You would have thought I was Satan and she was the Virgin Mary.
such a thing happend to me too. And i even said she is attractive. My “fault” was criticizing her eyebrows. Years ago she had those ugly thin penciled on eyebrows. Remember that? They looked horrible and i have a thing for eyebrows. I hate my left brow because she doesn´t fit with my right one.
About Michelle i said her brows don´t go with her facial features and make her look angry and older than she is and that she needs an eyebrow intervention. People went mad and called me a racist. They said i was calling Michelle “angry black woman”.
And even here on Celebitchy i have seen comments calling other people racist just because someone doesn´t find an actress beautiful. I remember a post about Viola Davis. Some commentor said he doesn´t find Viola pretty. Comments “you are racist” followed every minute.
Viola and Michelle, have so much more to offer than “prettiness”, although I find them both extremely attractive women.
What’s wrong with him? Did he think that just because it was on a Spanish program that it wouldn’t be translated and spread all over the place???
He doesn’t regret the comment, he regrets the consequences. His desperate rant makes me cringe. The only thing he cares about is getting his job back.
FFS. I am just…at a loss. There is such a whitewash (for lack of a better term) of Latino culture in the media. It’s shocking because so many people of mixed race are left out or seem to be encouraged in an insidious way to ignore the “afro” part of their heritage. I always wonder why all these S American/hispanic models and female media figures look like..barbie? And alot of them look like they get tons of plastic surgery. Some one up thread said something about latinos who have african heritage being called “El Negro”?! WTF. In this day and age, in ANY country, surely you must know that to compare a person of black.african heritage to a f*cking “cast member of Planet of The apes” is so beyond wrong and stupid and sick?? Mind.Boggled.
I don’t understand why he wouldn’t say he himself is part African-American, it’s like he’s trying to distance himself from that. Very sad.
The “negro” word does not have the same connotation as it has in the US. Negro is a color, and it can be used as a familiar, not offensive nickname, or as an offense depending on the context. It is becoming less PC to say it, but it is used.
We can say “La More” to a dark girl, (for morena: dark).
Slavery in Mexico officially ended many years before than in the US (the 1820s) and in many parts of Latin america, later in Brazil and others, yes, there were terrible slave-like conditions for workers, but there was not a market as there was before, particularly for black people. So , the N word is not as offensive.
Our kids hear the N word in rap music and call that to each other without really knowing what it means, and we have to explain that it is actually very offensive, but the ones promoting it for public comsumption are black rappers themselves.
He knew he was wrong the minute his co-hosts called him on it. And instead of correcting himself, he doubled down. Kudos to Univision for firing him swiftly without delay.
Being gay offers no special insight or compassion for others.
Gay people are just people, and like all people can just be ignorant sometimes.
Wowwww…A la verdad que actuo muy Morupido. Y él ya había dicho otras veces comentarios fuera de lugar hacia otras personas de forma despectiva. Cae pesado se cree la ultima CC del desierto🔨despedido.
His apology is the “sorry you feel this way” kind. What does it mean “… comment that can be interpreted as offensive and racist …”? It is both racist and offensive, not “interpreted” that way.
I’m just curious as to why those particular photos of Michelle Obama were chosen to go along with this story.
I think he was the right to say what he wants. It’s his opinion. No one has to like it. If you don’t care for him then don’t watch him. I think firing him was too much.
He certainly has the right to say it but he isn’t exempt from the consequences of it.
Next please!!!!!!
Whatever happened to having an opinion, different from others, and your told we don’t like your opinion or think like you do. You’d think the freedom to say whatever assinine thing should be your right to . No government or private corporation should be able to silence your free speech. This individual , lives off criticizing and mocking everyone that’s a personality or celebrity. He’s the Joan Rivers of the Latino Television industry. Another example seen again in this country where if you have an opinion that others don’t share, there will be a price to pay.
*sigh* for the millionth time nobody is stifling his free speech. That guy got to say his joke and he wasn’t thrown in jail, he just got fired because his employer preferred to not be represented by someone who made remarks that reflected badly on them. It seems people think words are so different from any other action that might make have negative repercussions. I can’t go to work and run around smashing things, I also can’t say offensive things that might make others uncomfortable – no difference. I also feel like a lot of people’s eagerness to defend people like the duck dynasty guy or this one on the basis of ‘free speech’ are more enthusiastic to do so because their views align. If he was saying something rude and hateful to your sainted mother I’m sure you’d be keen to have him made quiet.
he can say his racist opinions outside of his job. Here he was AT his job, in a company which as we see, did not allow racists remarks.
Ok. For the last time. Freedom of Speech means the government will not use undue or overt force to silence you from speaking your mind. As this man was not arrested by any government agency or sentenced to death, please stop using this as a Freedom of Speech issue! He freely said a comment. People freely took offense. His job freely dismissed him. He is now freely whining about it. Case closed!
Thank you!
Well said!
Amazingly hosts are always making very rude comments about so many public figures.
Fashion Police has a whole segment on this. Why not fire all of them. Mrs Obama isn’t the only one with feelings here.
😞
I’m Black, and I don’t speak Spanish, so I can never really watch Univison. I don’t know who Rodner Figueroa is, but he seemed eager and quite comfortable enough to compare Michele Obama to an ape on national television, seemingly, without an once of worry of the possible repercussions from his bosses or the viewers. Who knows, maybe there is an atmosphere at Univison that condones certain kinds of racists “jokes”. If that’s how they operate, it is what it is. Poor Rodner, he forgot that “allowable” racists jokes are meant to be expressed in the hallways, and back offices of Univision, in the company of like-minded racists Univision employees; not on the air, fool! He is the sacrificial scapegoat “lesson”, who must be thrown under the bus”, so as, to teach his ex co-workers a very valuable lesson, that may, or may not change some very ugly and unnecessary attitudes. Everything happens for a reason. Bye Rodner.
Just to note, when he said “Michelle Obama looks like a character from planet of the Apes”, he was talking about the male make-up artist who transformed himself into Michelle. He was not actually talking about Michelle Obama. He was trying to say the make-up artist didn’t quite transform himself into Michelle. Either way, the comment was wrong and the dude should have known better. But should he have really lost his job over this? Has he had other incidents or was this his first and last? Would all of you be ok with losing your job over one mistake? This dude is half Hispanic and half Black himself. I don’t know. I think when real racism occurs no one pays attention, but when stupid stuff like this happens everyone jumps on it. I’ve dealt with real in your face racism on many many occasions in my school life and work life and this seems tame in comparison. He should for sure be punished, time off with out pay or demoted…but fired ???
There are social crimes like racism and rape, that deserve swift retribution – mostly because the public is so tired of bullies (aren’t we?). People have to know that some things are just Not Okay. Public pressure is the only way to rid ourselves of this type of nonsense that is so degrading and objectionable. Bullies never stand up to peer pressure – they seem to understand forcefulness; especially from fair-minded folks. Showing that punishment can stop crime, helps everyone understand what boundaries are; victims of this sort of thing are often seriously injured! (However, FLOTUS is in a position to defend herself, praise be).
IMO – bully-crime is so objectionable, that mercy doesn’t apply until they are quite sorry and changed – unless mercy is used to help them understand why they are so fragile, to have the need to attempt to push someone else under water.
I am no fan of Michelle Obama, but that was a reprehensible thing to say (about anyone, much less the First Lady of the United States). Did he think it was funny? He can’t spin his way out of it by hiding under his own minority status or protesting that he voted for Obama twice or whatever other flimsy excuse he’s contrived. He deserved to be fired. Good riddance.