Louisiana news anchor Charisse Gibson clapped back at a viewer who told her wearing an African pendant on the air was un-American. In an e-mail sent to Gibson, the viewer demanded she cease wearing the charm, or the person would change the channel.
“If you persist in wearing a medallion of Africa, please know that I will change channels,” they wrote. “You are an American first and should be proud of that.”
Gibson, an evening news anchor for WWL-TV, replied to the e-mail on Twitter with a picture of herself wearing her African pendant and a resounding, “Nah.”
Nah. pic.twitter.com/ur3tBMgg0T
— Charisse Gibson (@OkayCharisse) February 4, 2022
Twitter fans co-signed Gibson’s response. One offered to send the woman fresh batteries for her remote control. Another fan advised Gibson to wear a bigger pendant.
https://twitter.com/jambalayababy/status/1489434509288345601?s=20&t=zk1kYgBUw5vCKwIKGrz39A
Wear a bigger one so that he/she can throw the remote at the TV.
— hola (@8baleadas) February 4, 2022
The New Orleans Association of Black Journalists also showed support for Gibson with an announcement on Twitter.
“NOABJ stands behind Madam President Charisse and all Black journalists who receive these horrific e-mails and comments rooted in hatred. @NABJ@OkayCharisse.”
NOABJ stands behind Madam President Charisse and all Black journalists who receive these horrific e-mails and comments rooted in hatred. @NABJ @OkayCharisse https://t.co/spnC2pBHAN
— NOABJ (@noabj1) February 4, 2022
The executive news director of WWL-TV, Keith Esparros, also supported Gibson after the e-mail came to light.
“At WWL, we embrace diversity in the people we hire, the stories we tell, and celebrate the diversity of all New Orleanians. We will continue to support Charisse and continue to celebrate diversity and inclusion.”
Gibson told NOLA.com that she often wore the African pendant on the air and believed the viewer was triggered because the pendant represented the American slave trade. The journalist added that her pendant symbolizes the original sin of slavery.
She also noted that she never considered not wearing the African pendant because of the viewer’s tired remarks.
“I’m not arguing this,” she said. “I’d never deny my culture… My ancestry is African, and it’s natural to try to find your way back to where you came from.”
