According to a growing number of Twitter users, ESPN reporter Britt McHenry deserves a steeper punishment than a brief suspensions.
The hastag #FireBrittMcHenry has surged in popularity, as people continue to scold the reporter for her actions, as well as ESPN for their decision to suspend her for one week.
I am still stunned that @espn has @BrittMcHenry as an employee.
And, she didn't even apologize to the poor woman.
#firebrittmchenry
— Jeremy Shure (@JeremyShure) April 17, 2015
If you missed the Britt McHenry story, here’s a refresher.
Earlier this week, a surveillance video caught the reporter and former Stetson University soccer player berating a towing company employee after her car was towed in Washington DC. McHenry insulted the employees’ weight, appearance, and level of education. The video went viral, garnered hundreds of thousands of views.
“That’s why I have a degree and you don’t,” said McHenry at one point. “Maybe if I was missing some teeth, they would hire me here, huh?”
Watch the video below:
She later apologized for her actions, saying,
“In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and regrettable things. As frustrated as I was, I should always choose to be respectful and take the high road. I am so sorry for my actions and will learn from this mistake.”
In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and (cont) http://t.co/Wx37XF2QtM
— Britt McHenry (@BrittMcHenry) April 16, 2015
ESPN suspended her for one week.
It appears it is the opinion of a good number of folks out there that this is not good enough.
If @espn does not fire @BrittMcHenry. They are cultivating a culture where outright bigotry and classism is the norm.
#firebrittmchenry
— Luis Santos (@Xantoz29) April 17, 2015
Things @BrittMcHenry didn't learn in college: 1. How to read a tow zone sign. 2. How to be a decent human being. #firebrittmchenry
— Lexi DeCarr (@slexican_) April 17, 2015
@BrittMcHenry will always be a low-class self important fraud. No matter what happens next… #firebrittmchenry
— LIVE with Doctor MO (@doctormo) April 17, 2015
@BrittMcHenry Felt your apology wasn't genuine. Your only sorry because u got caught. #firebrittmchenry #ESPN
— Amar (@akandola84) April 17, 2015
Shame on @espn for only suspending @BrittMcHenry for a week. People have committed suicide over words like what she said. #firebrittmchenry
— Kevin Prather (@TheKPizzle) April 17, 2015
McHenry has not made a statement beyond her Twitter apology. The New York Post suggests that ESPN should reinstate McHenry until it has the full story. What do you think?
Image via Britt McHenry, Twitter