WEEI host off air for remark

[Caution]

Racist comment brings criticism, suspension

WEEI radio has suspended talk show host John Dennis for two days without pay for making a racially charged comment, as several city councilors and minority leaders urged he be taken off the air permanently.

In a segment discussing news during Monday's "Dennis & Callahan Show," Dennis said that Little Joe, the gorilla that escaped from Franklin Park Zoo, was "probably a Metco gorilla waiting for a bus to take him to Lexington." Metco, the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity, is a voluntary desegregation program that enrolls Boston students in suburban schools. The program provides transportation to some schools.

Dennis's on-air remarks brought immediate condemnation from minority leaders and parents, who said the comparison echoed racial slurs likening black people to monkeys.

<snip>
http://www.boston.com/sports/other_sports/articles/2003/10/03/weei_host_off_air_for_remark/

As a boston sports fan, I cannot express how happy I am that the public has finally noticed that this guy is a jerk. These two make bigoted comments almost daily on their show and hopefully this will at least take one of them off the air permanently.


On edit: further in the article WEEI management makes this statement:

"John Dennis has been an outstanding employee at WEEI for the past seven years," the station said in a statement. "During that time, he has never said or done anything that has caused even the slightest negative reaction. He is as charitable with his time as any employee we've ever had, having been involved with numerous charities supporting children of all races. We know that this comment was completely out of character for John, and he regrets it terribly."

This is a complete fabrication, because I personally have complained about homophobic statements from him on no less than three occasions, and anti-asian "jokes" on 2 occasions. After I lodged a final complaint about the show being too political for a sports talk show, and was rudely rebuffed, I simply refused to listen to the show anymore and informed the station and it's sponsors of that decision.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

1. I listen to WEEI, and John Dennis has made some rotten remarks

over the years. I avoid their show due to the racist and homophobic diatribes that come out of this jackass' mouth. I am going to call WEEI and demand he be FIRED.

The only guys that I can tolerate are Dale and Neumie. They're generally very well-informed and professional.

[tnlefty]

2. Oh my - a racist in Boston!

I thought we had them all down here! :evilgrin:

[bleedingheart]

3. Unfortunately racism is everywhere.

[Braden]

4. I was listening on monday

and I missed John Dennis' remark. It was way out of line and in horrific taste.

John should do the honorable thing and resign.

Whats interesting is his partner Gerry Callahan made a statement to the point "how does a three hundred pound gorilla land on a two year old and only leave a scratch?"

he was clearly implying that these poor inner city black people were getting ready to sue the zoo and made up the childs injuries.

Gerry chose his words carefully but his racist implications were clear.

These two made a previous Top Ten Conservative Idiots list for Sen. Jeffords switch to the Democratic Party. Callahan compared Jeffords to Timothy McVeigh.

[Ashcroft Kutcher]

5. I have listened to WEEI

Although what Dennis said was shitty. Callahan says things that are that caliber or lower every minute on that show. I wish someone would take him to task for the venom he spews.

[revcarol]

6. I hope you made the complaints in writing and kept copies.

You can produce them and the management's lies when the station's license comes up for renewal. Hit 'em where it hurts, their pocketbook.

[Caution]

7. email

i'll have to check my archives. I recieved replies from them on these as well.

[Rose Siding]

8. Call the reporter, Caution

Call AND write a LTTE