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Health & Fitness

AABJ Board Responds to Racially Insensitive, Outdated Term Used on "Better Mornings Atlanta" CBS

On Monday, June 30th, CBS Atlanta's "Better Mornings Atlanta" program aired a segment about summer hair care, during which the host, Michelle Burdo, used an insensitive, outdated and socially unacceptable term in reference to black women.

The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists board of directors was dismayed and disappointed by the remarks. Atlanta has an important position in the civil rights struggle and a legacy of striving for inclusion in every facet of life in this community, including the news media. 

On Tuesday, July 1st, board president Eric Stirgus reached out to CBS Atlanta's news director to discuss the matter as well as the station's policy on diversity training. The board is pleased that Ms. Burdo made an on air apology on July 1 and that station management has been open and responsive to addressing our concerns.

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However, the board, still has some questions about what, if any, additional steps CBS Atlanta will take toward Ms. Burdo or its response to this matter. We look forward to further conversations with the station's leadership, and believe this will be the beginning of a broader dialogue addressing diversity in Atlanta's newsrooms.

-- Atlanta Association of Black Journalists' board of directors

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