CNN’s Roland Martin, a political and social analyst, was suspended indefinitely Wednesday from on-air time just days after the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation’s (GLAAD) discrimination outcry caught steam for Martin’s perceived ‘offensive’ tweets during the XLVI Super Bowl on Sunday.
Though Roland had insisted on a final statement, which in-part reads “I sincerely regret any offense my words have caused,” being sufficient on the supposed abhorrent tweets, CNN decided the analyst statement was not enough and took action.
“Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being,” a CNN spokesperson confirmed.
The tweets in question were snippy references in regards to David Beckham’s sexy underwear ad for H&M bridled in banter and flippant manner Roland per usual tweets in.
“If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham‘s H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him! #superbowl,” Roland tweeted after the commercial aired. “Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass.”
As the Twitter world go, it literally takes less than a second for an outrage to occur or get retweeted for that matter—hence, the backlash commenced.
“Dear @cnn its time to fire @rolandsmartin for his homophobic comments and his awful political analysis he tarnishes the CNN image. #FAIL,”Andy Szekeres tweeted in response to Martin’s tweets.
The catch-22 to Twitter is while information is easily dispensed in fragmented pieces, the exact shortened versions of information can become the tipping point for an albatross. Just throw in a few hash tags, become appalled, and viola a man’s job is hanging in the balance because his humor rings hollow for some uber sensitive people.
Instead of GLADD gaining clarity on Roland’s tweets by simply asking him what the less than 140 character tweets meant or ask for an apology via Twitter where the uproar initiated from, they instead targeted his direct means of supporting his family – his job.
“CNN today took a strong stand against anti-LGBT violence and language that demeans any community. Yesterday, Martin also spoke out against anti-LGBT violence. We look forward to hearing from CNN and Roland Martin to discuss how we can work together as allies and achieve our common goal of reducing such violence as well as the language that contributes to it,” Rich Ferraro, a GLAAD spokesman, said after Roland was suspended.
GLADD’s Ferraro said his organization had received a statement from Sharon Lettman-Hicks, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, the nation’s largest black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, calling for increased media visibility for issues affecting black LGBT people:
“While we are encouraged by CNN’s stance against language that incites anti-gay violence, we hope they also will make a commitment to shine more visibility on the hardships LGBT people of color face when trying to participate fully in their communities,” said Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition.
While accountability is necessary as an on-air presence, the inverted proceedings of “rid Roland of his job, and then meet with us” seem to suggest a bullying tactic. Where’s the group to speak out against that?
“Fam, late last night I received word of GLAAD’s invitation to meet with me, and as I have informed CNN…I look forward to meeting with GLAAD in the near future and having a productive dialogue.” Martin tweeted.
Does Roland Martin’s tweet warrant the loss of his job? When is an apology not sufficient?
Yes he deserved to be fired… he has a long history of working against the LGBT community. Period he can say what he wants… when he does not work for national media outlet.
Hi Andy! Thanks for your response. Can you give instances where Roland has spitefully made comments about the LGBT community?
Roland is not a anti-gay. He is just a regular guy and guys often say things about gays that they don’t often mean. It’s the culture.
The truth is no of us are perfect all having made many mistakes, however if it is not apparent to the she men who dare not come out the closet as well as the he women that is okay because though in secret they side with these sick people known as homo’s because they are is completely beyond the TRUTH.
The truth is homosexuality is a serious sickness (meta-physica) and these people definitely need help. Then to try and force their sick degenerative behavioral on folks who at least know if you got a pee pee than you are a man not expected to lie with another man and the same goes for the women.
Please to the gay or homosexuals get a real life and live what you were made. Your confusion and money has opened doors to you that should never have been opened yet one day you will as even I for my crimes answer for yours.
I must further state and all of this is my opinion and from the BOOK/BIBLE many of you Hippocrates say you believe. and even condemns your lifestyle of ill repute. CNN was again has should that it takes only popular or bought positions. I encourage people to turn to another lying station if you need watch any of these for hire media accesses. Your comments welcome free free to e-mail me.
corrections: The Truth is none, next correction- they’re lives are completely beyond the TRUTH, NEXT CORRECTION- CNN has again shown that etc,etc. Again to the people who struggle with this lust and sickness I feel for you but I also resent you for seeking to force your sickness upon those of us who have chosen the life we live based upon the organs we are born with. There is definitely nothing wrong with a man loving a man or a women loving a women but when you get into sexing one another than it is just an out of control LUST.
I urge young folks who think they are struggling with what these sick people want you to think is right get some help and for your sakes I hope it is not an undercover sick person as well.