A couple of weeks ago, Ricardo León “Rick” Sánchez de Reinaldo , known professionally as Rick Sanchez, who has been tipped as a rising star on cable TV and the host of late afternoon show Ricks’ List was fired for making improper comments about comedian Jon Steward and Jews on Sirius XM radio.
First of all, I do not believe Jon Steward actually cares about the statement Rick Sanchez made about him. Jon has actually made remarks about other people that are more red-hot and coarse than what Rick said. As far as the comments about Jews are concerned, I think it was an ill-advised comment and Mr. Sanchez surely regrets about that.
My problem is the speed and urgency with which CNN moved to fire the minority Mr. Sanchez. Those of you who followed the network will remember another figure Lous Dobbs who used to host Lous Dobbs Tonight on CNN. Lous Dobbs, whose show was initially focused on financial analysis and world markets, later turned into Latino-phobic hour on the network. Mr. Dobbs for years made life uncomfortable for Hispanics, blacks and other minorities in the US. Thousands of unhappy listeners protested that Lous Dobbs did not fit the network reputation but CNN turned death years to that. Finally, some advertisers threatened to boycott CNN with some Hispanic activists advising their members not to watch the cable giant. It was at this point that CNN found a way to oust Mr. Dobbs.
I have no problem with CNN firing Rick Sanchez for the inappropriate statements. I only have a problem with the speed at which this was done when I look back at how the network handled Lous Dobbs.
It is time that minorities are treated with the same standard. I still respect CNN for their service. I’m not proud of how they treated Rick Sanchez. I may be speaking for a lot of minority groups.
What really keeps minorities and societies down? Letting corporate america off with hiring and firing the 2-7% black minority they maintain while shirking social responsibility to educate and help maintain the health of the 60% non-white majority. What’s cheaper–paying actual society-maintaining taxes or the odd poor performing, but perpetual, employee, out of thousands? The only persons paying the debt to society are the manager of the poor performer whose team gets less work done and the poor performer, him or herself, when they go to work for someone else.
such provocative statement should definitely be frowned upon with alacrity. CNN is right on the money!
of course we know why lou dobb was not fired but Rick sanchez was. His is Hispanic, Lous dobbs is not. How many black and hispanics work for CNN?
Good one. You are right on the money!!