WLBT Anchor Barbie Bassett Apologizes for ‘Offensive’ On-Air Comment

By Kevin Eck 

WLBT morning anchor Barbie Bassett has apologized for an “offensive” comment she made on air Friday at the Jackson, Miss. NBC affiliate.

During a live shot on Friday, Bassett referred to Carmen Poe‘s grandmother as her “grandmammy,” which was a term slaves used for their grandmothers. Poe is African-American.

On Monday, the station said it has had “meaningful internal conversations and discussions about this situation.”

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Bassett apologized, saying, “I now understand how my comment was both insensitive and hurtful. I have apologized to Carmen Poe.”

Her complete statement is posted below:

“Last Friday on our newscast ‘Today at 11’, I used a term that was offensive to many in our audience and to my coworkers here at WLBT. Though not intentional, I now understand how my comment was both insensitive and hurtful. I have apologized to Carmen Poe.

Now, I would like to apologize to you. That is not the heart of who I am. And for that, I humbly ask for your forgiveness and I apologize to everyone I have offended. I will learn from this and participate in training so I can better understand our history and our people.

I can’t mend the hurt my comment caused. I pray you’ll forgive me and that you’ll extend grace through this awful mistake.”

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