Atlanta news anchor explains her viral clapback to racist viewer
Sharon Reed went viral when she clapped back at a racist viewer live on the air.
In covering the race for Atlanta’s next mayor, Reed and her colleagues were already discussing the role that race and racism played in the election, and so, according to an op-ed written by Reed for the Huffington Post, Reed “saw an opportunity.”
“I looked at my email and saw the word ‘Ni*er’ ― (this particular viewer couldn’t spell the slur) ― and got a knot in my stomach. Adrenaline kicked in,” Reed wrote. “But it was a gift in real time. Black journalists, including yours truly, actually do get attacked by racist trolls. I could use this email to show anyone watching what we deal with ― sometimes every single day. Opportunity.”
“To hide it or censor it ― in my view, on that night ― seemed inherently wrong and the height of fake news,” she continued. “People at home deserve to know the truth, not some version of events sanitized for them from our perch on the anchor desk. Especially when it goes to the heart of the matter. If we can’t keep it real during a discussion about race on the air in Atlanta, then when and where can we?”
— DeRay McKesson sues Fox News’ Jeanine Pirro for defaming him —
Reed said that she forwarded the email to her executive producer and said that she wanted to respond. When the producer gave her the green light, she went on-air and ad-libbed every word.
“What came out of my mouth at 9:47 p.m. ― 21 minutes after receiving this offensive email ― wasn’t artful or polished, but it was real,” she wrote.
Reed went on to say that she was glad she spoke out, because other Black journalists and people in the media had reached out to say that they’d had similar experiences.
“Having had a minute to reflect on how things unfolded, I realize that the decision to put that email on the air was rooted in hurt, defiance and even ‘I told you so’ to all of the people out there who doubt this happens. All of that, and on behalf of so many who sit in silence and simply take it. Our #MeToo.”
