The devastating helicopter crash that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gigi and seven others Sunday morning caused a media blitz. One of the many reporters covering the breaking news has stirred controversy for appearing to use a racial slur in reference to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant, 41, was an 18-time NBA All-Star who spent his 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sunday morning, he died on his helicopter headed to a game for his daughter in Thousand Oaks, California.
Others who perished in the crash include John Altobelli, 56, baseball coach at Orange Coast College and his wife Keri Altobelli; Alyssa Altobelli, the Altobellis’ daughter and one of Gianna's basketball teammates; Christina Mauser, basketball coach at Harbor Day School, Gigi Bryant’s school; Payton Chester, a middle school student; Sarah Chester, Payton Chester’s mother; and Ara Zobayan, pilot.
In the midst of the tributes and expressions of shock expressed online Sunday, several folks took note of a breaking newscast involving MSNBC anchor Alison Morris. While speaking on the loss of the NBA legend, Morris had a language slip. The term used is a bit unclear, but many online said she used the term “Los Angeles [n-word].”
“It seems like he was just the kind of athlete, the kind of star that was perfectly cast on the Los Angeles [inaudible], Los Angeles Lakers,” Morris said during a newscast.
My brother just sent me this.
— Draconian Fist (@DraconianFist) January 26, 2020
So, @MSNBC when is Alison Morris is going to be fired? pic.twitter.com/fEv9pHF3u6
Shortly after the afternoon newscast, competing points of views on what Morris said while stammering during the newscast hit social media. Morris quickly responded to the criticism and calls for her firing. She told her 11, 500 followers on Twitter that her unfortunate slip was the term “Nakers,” a combination of the teams Knicks and Lakers. She apologized, and she adamantly denied using the n-word, saying she would “NEVER use a racist term.”
Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say “Nakers.” Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused.
— Alison Morris (@AlisonMorrisNOW) January 26, 2020
Some validated Morris’ apology and agreed she did not use a racial slur.
I am ALWAYS defending against racism. But I 100% believe this girl. She’s from New York, and even had called them “Los Angeles Knicks” prior in the interview. It was a word mix up. You say “nakers” fast and tell me what you hear. You all act like you’ve never mixed up two words pic.twitter.com/KnTcdnC1DM
— Desiré Correa (@dezcorrea) January 27, 2020
I work with children & adults (reading comp & illiteracy) and this is a very common mistake for any person, at any age. It's called Spoonerism. It's a transposition of letters - N from Nicks for L in Lakers. It's awful how unforgiving people can be for a trip of the tongue.
— Belle Pepper Hurricane Dancer (@TurnipsBride) January 27, 2020
Comedian Wanda Sykes spoke up Monday to defend Morris, stating she could see how the news anchor could’ve flubbed the term “Lakers.”
When I first heard it, I told my friend, “I bet she was about to say Knicks, then tried to cover and said Nakers, but failed miserably. That “Knic-“ was out there. I believe her. #Nakers https://t.co/QsU8bcmoF2
— Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) January 27, 2020
Another user blamed the cancel culture, the tendency for social media users to cast away celebrities for public mistakes, for the confusion Sunday.
Alison, that wasn't a mistake. I heard a hard R MULTIPLE times from multiple sound sources. Please don't take the "I stuttered on-air" route and just resign and make an ACTUAL apology instead of BLATANTLY lying to us. We have ears, We heard what you said.
— Magenta The Witch (PG13) (@NikkiCPancakes) January 26, 2020
I hope you get through this. I heard Nakers with a K and it was clear. Then you corrected yourself.
— Yung Ògògó (@akintonmide) January 27, 2020
The cancel and butt hurt culture has found a prey but I hope you come out strong
Man! The lies in the replies https://t.co/YYpzPrmoUv
By and large, Twitter users seemed to share the sentiment that Morris’ verbal slip led to her using the slur, even if inadvertently.
Like hell you did! What in the world is a Naker anyway? There’s definitely an i sound in there pic.twitter.com/BoAphz7tXA
— Kamala Harris’s Black Side (@StarletWebber) January 26, 2020
If u think she said Los Angeles “NAKERS” ... turn in your black card right now.
— Vontee🐐 (@ImVontee) January 27, 2020
MSNBC has not released a statement on the matter.
The cause of the helicopter crash is under investigation, but some have speculated that foggy weather might’ve caused visibility issues.
More on Kobe Bryant’s passing:
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