MSNBC has apologized for a Cinco de Mayo segment Monday on “Way Too Early,” in which the show’s producer danced around wearing a sombrero, shaking a maraca, and pretending to drink tequila while the host recited the history of the Mexican holiday.
“It’s also an excuse to drink tequila on a Monday morning at work for Louis,” host Thomas Roberts said while explaining the holiday, referencing producer Louis Burgdorf.
President of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, Hugo Balta slammed MSNBC in a Tuesday statement.
“This is simply the worst example I have seen of a discriminatory stereotypical portrayal of any community by any media. The fact that this was done by a news organization is abominable,” Balta said. “It feeds to the ignorant misconceptions of a rich and proud people who unfortunately are too often portrayed as caricatures to be scoffed at. NAHJ denounces the actions taken by MSNBC’s ‘Way Too Early’ team for their capricious actions, lack of judgment, insensitivity and attack at the Mexican community.”
On Tuesday, MSNBC apologized for the segment, according to the Huffington Post.
“On Monday, Cinco De Mayo, ‘Way Too Early’ made sarcastic references to the way some Americans celebrate the holiday. It was not our intention to be disrespectful and we sincerely apologize for the ill-advised references,” MSNBC said in a statement.
Watch a clip of MSNBC’s segment via the Huffington Post:
