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Oops! NBC's Black History Month Boo-Boo (updated)
Really, NBC?
Thanks to the Roots star Questlove, who's also the leader of Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night" band, the world has now seen this sign posted today in the NBC Universal commissary at 30 Rockefeller Center:
Yup. Really.
Questlove snapped a picture of the sign and posted it to his Twitter feed, along with the message, "Hmmm. HR?". Not long afterward, a rep for NBCU took to Twitter to respond.
"The sign in the NBCU cafeteria has been removed. We apologize for anyone who was offended by it," the rep said.
People familiar with the situation said NBC execs found out about the sign from Questlove's tweet. Someone was then dispatched downstairs to the 30 Rock commisary to, um, deal with the situation.
Before anyone goes and tries to make a mountain out of this molehill, it should probably be noted that, while Jeff Zucker can be quite hands-on, we're pretty sure neither he (nor anyone even remotely close to NBC U's exec ranks) had anything to do with this sign. (UPDATE 2:45 PM: Further digging reveals that the NBC cafeteria is neither owned nor operated by the Peacock.)
Besides, Zucker was in Washington today, testifying about the proposed merger with Comcast. (Great timing!)
In any event, this was probably just some well-meaning commissary staffer who decided to offer an unneeded explanation for what's a pretty damn tasty-sounding menu. Or maybe MSNBC's Chris Matthews is multitasking these days.
We have to agree with what one posted Tweeted in response to Questlove: "I'm simultaneously offended and hungry."
Comments
Mo Says
I am Black and that sign does not offend me. I see nothing wrong with the sign. Some people are too sensitive with regards to racism. Go to www.poclt.com and read "oops people of color live there".
Thanks NBC for reconizing Black History Month.
Mo Louis
psuvo Says
Would it have been better if the sign read "IN honor of Black History Month" "Soul Food Menu" ??? That's what it is.... where's the controversy? This isn't Fuzzy Zeller making fun of Tiger after the 87 masters. Thsi
Harry Says
Guys, I'm sure you're well-meaning white folks on behalf of us minorities, but this is a perfect example of how the political correctness culture is sometimes so ludicrous that one doesn't realize how racist it actually is. There is absolutely nothing racist about this completely authentic menu, and to assume that we need to be "protected" is yet again meaning that you're only looking at us as a specific color. The difference between blatant racist hicks and many liberals is that the latter are only obliviously racist.
For the record, this menu was made by a black chef in the cafeteria. She is proud of her heritage. She had asked for years to cook meals that celebrate black history month. Last year was her first. She cooks a special meal every Thursday. When this became an issue, people asked the many black people in the cafeteria whether this was "racist." Not a single people thought it was. This is lunacy! It'd be different if someone came up with "chicken and watermelons" (a stereotype) but this is a totally authentic menu anyone might find in any number of Soulfood restaurants. Political correctness is sometimes so ridiculous that we're now protecting minorities from celebrating their own culture in absolutely valid and authentic ways. What's next? Getting rid of chow mein from the Chinese menu, or gefilte fish from the Jewish?
GM Says
Okay, look. This is a SIGN! In a CAFETERIA; that just HAPPENS to be in an NBC cafeteria. Would it be any different if it was in a High School Cafeteria? NO! Any different if it was in a Hospital Cafeteria? NOPE! Any diffent if it was in a Mall's Food Court? NO! It dosen't matter WHERE the sign would be, it's just a blunder! I'm sure the cafeteria manager didn't say... "hummm. let's put out a sign, that if read wrong, might be considered racist!" NO!
And this note does not reflect on NBC's network, it's affiliates, or subsidaries.
TheBusiness Says
NBC: More Colorful.
offone Says
NBC is full of MORONS!!
Joan Lewis Says
Why is it that in the twenty-first century NBC doesn't know how to celebrate the contributions of the American people, regardless of the group? How far NBC still has to go? Didn't you think that recognizing President Obama and the achievement of others like him would be appropriate? Soladad Obrien of CNN knows. Her comprehensive Expose should be studied by all at NBC. Well, your shameless, inexcusable ignorance will cost you dearly. Goodbye NBC.!
Joan Lewis
Tal Says
What, no specials on orange soda and watermelon?
Tch. Falling behind on stereotyping. NBC is so out of touch.
sonicfilmbox Says
The fact that you could switch out "Black History Month" with "Paula Deen Day" makes it not so historic.