A St. Louis newscaster apologized for using a racist slur when referring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s name, saying that he mispronounced his name.
KTVI’s Kevin Steincross said that it was “not intentional in any way” when he said “Martin Luther co*n Jr.,” during a news report about an upcoming tribute on the civil rights leader on Thursday, according to the St. Louis Dispatch.
“I want to take a moment to apologize,” he said. “We have heard from a viewer about a mistake I made in our 5 a.m. newscast. In our story about the tribute to Dr. King, I unfortunately mispronounced his name. Please know I have total respect for Dr. King, what he meant and what he continues to mean to our country. This was not intentional in any way, and I sincerely apologize.”
Steincross’ use of the slur is very similar to that of Jeremy Kappell, a Rochester, New York meteorologist, who appeared to stumble over his words when he said, “Martin Luther c*on King Jr. Park.” Kappell was fired from his job, but received support from weatherman Al Roker and Dr. Bernice King, Rev. King’s daughter, both who said they felt he should still have his job.
Tribune Broadcasting called Steincross’ comments an “inadvertent” mistake and said he won’t be punished.
“The Fox2 management team spoke to Kevin following the mistake and we believe that it was truly inadvertent and does not reflect Kevin’s core beliefs,” a Tribune spokesperson told the St. Louis Dispatch. “Kevin is extremely upset by the mistake and regrets it deeply.”
