Megyn Kelly Apologizes After Receiving Backlash For Blackface Comments

Megyn Kelly

Megyn Kelly Apologizes After Receiving Backlash For Blackface Comments

Megyn Kelly is under fire for her comments about controversial Halloween costumes. She stated she didn’t understand what was wrong with people dressing up as blackface, and didn’t classify it as racist. Blackface was a popular form of theatrical makeup used in the 19th century worn by a non-black person to represent a caricature to portray black people as a negative stereotype. She explained,

What is racist? You do get in trouble if you’re a white person who puts on blackface for Halloween, or if you’re black person who puts on white face for Halloween. Back when I was a kid, that was okay as long as you were dressing up like a character.

Since the airing of the show, the host has retracted on her statements and issued an apology. Within an internal email, Kelly says

One of the wonderful things about my job is that I get the chance to express and hear a lot of opinions. Today is one of those days where listening carefully to other points of view, including from friends and colleagues, is leading me to rethink my own views. I’ve never been a ‘pc’ kind of person — but I understand that we do need to be more sensitive in this day and age. Particularly on race and ethnicity issues which, far from being healed, have been exacerbated in our politics over the past year. This is a time for more understanding, love, sensitivity and honor, and I want to be part of that. I look forward to continuing that discussion.

Following Tuesday’s show, the host released a public apology on Wednesday.

I want to begin with two words, I’m sorry. The country feels so divided and I have no wish to add to that pain and offense. I believe this is a time for more understanding, more love, more sensitivity and honor..Thank you for listening and for helping me listen too.

"I want to begin with two words, I'm sorry..The country feels so divided and I have no wish to add to that pain and offense. I believe this is a time for more understanding, more love, more sensitivity and honor..Thank you for listening and for helping me listen too." Megyn Kelly pic.twitter.com/6hHrvZLNvK

— Megyn Kelly TODAY (@MegynTODAY) October 24, 2018

What’s your position on her apology?