For those who continue to believe that sports, politics and race don’t have an intimate relationship, here’s another wake up call.
During a high school basketball game in Iowa last week, a sports broadcaster and a producer for KIOW-FM decided to engage in a blatantly racially coated discussion around the players and their names, even invoking Trump’s name and his divisive, ignorant comments surrounding immigrants, particularly those from Latino countries.
“As Trump would say, go back where they came from,” said show host Orin Harris.
Watch it below.
Philip Lewis on Twitter
A radio host & producer were fired for having a racist convo during a high school game. Wild. https://t.co/9cC5VTeCIP
The station, KIOW-FM, fired Harris and the producer after viewers posted complaints about the discussion.
“These comments were deplorable, and the staff and management of KIOW in no way condones or supports these comments,” said the station.
Eagle Grove superintendent Jess Toliver issued a statement after the game, also acknowledging the station’s apology.
“As a school district, we expect our athletes, students and community to be treated with respect no matter where they go, Toliver said. The kids were aware of it, the people listening to The Cube were aware of it. They have issued an apology to our kids and our athletes.
Its a teaching point.” continued Toliver. “How do we make people aware of all the good things? Lets look at the positives of diversity. Without diversity, we have a lot less students, we arent as vibrant. Diversity has been something that has saved our community.”
And the fight goes on in the era of Trump….
