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Roland Martin.
After apologizing for what he called a misunderstanding, Roland Martin is out at CNN.
The network announced Wednesday afternoon that the analyst would be suspended for the foreseeable future.
VIDEOS: David Beckham's Underwear Ad and Other Super Bowl Commercials of 2012
"Roland Martin's tweets were regrettable and offensive," reads the statement. "Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being."
Prompting all of the furor was Martin's Twitter commentary on Super Bowl commercials, particularly one about the underwear clad David Beckham (below).
"If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad," he wrote, "smack the ish out of him!"
This ad aired during the second quarter of Super Bowl XLVI.
GLAAD (Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) immediately responded by demanding his removal from the news network, though Martin insisted that his tweet was not a homophobic encouragement of violence -- but a dig at soccer fans.
STORY: Roland Martin Responds to GLAAD's Accusations of Homophobic Comments
"Let me address the issue that some in the LGBT community have raised regarding some of my Super Bowl tweets yesterday," he wrote. "I made several cracks about soccer as I do all the time. I was not referring to sexuality directly or indirectly regarding the David Beckham ad, and I'm sorry folks took it otherwise."
The apology was not enough to satisfy those calling for his removal. Following CNN's news, GLADD responded by applauding the network's actions.
"CNN today took a strong stand against anti-LGBT violence and language that demeans any community,” said GLAAD spokesperson Rich Ferraro in a statement. “Yesterday, Martin also spoke out against anti-LGBT violence. We look forward to hearing from CNN and Roland Martin to discuss how we can work together as allies and achieve our common goal of reducing anti-LGBT violence as well as the language that contributes to."
Martin has not yet addressed his suspension, but in keeping with his mea culpa, he linked to a story about the victim of an anti-gay beating on his blog, RolandMartinReports.com.
Leave a Comment:
Im offended by the letter "N" in CNN because it can be interpreted as a racist letter that not only condones the segregation of (insert PC word for blacks here) but also of gays, lesbians and "others", resulting in the rise of Muslim terror cells on American soil. Please rename your network and fire all employees that have the letter "N" in their name. If not, I will set myself on fire while playing the clarinet.
I actually got a good laugh at reading all the comments. Wow so many different views. I look at the situation like this: 1. Roland should of never been suspended unless he was in any way posting on behalf of the station. He is entitled to his opinion. 2. Why was GLAAD even following his tweets? Are they just looking for trouble? 3. Why the hell would anyone want to tweet anything? Basically people don't have Freedom of Speech unless you follow the PC side of things. There was no threat of violence towards a group of people. How many of us, straight or gay, have made comments like that is so gay? If you're proud of who you are then why would you honestly care what some one says? People put the meanings to the words they see as negative. You could probably say the word "tissue" and make it derogitory towards someone. Learn from people's opinions but don't take them personally. In the end does it really matter to you? Let it go. Learn to be happy and stop being so PC. Being PC is another way of taking your freedom away.
Seriously crazy. And think about it, GLAD.... does this help you or your cause? I certainly won't take your next complaint very seriously after this PC paranoia. You've destroyed a good hard working person's career by mis-interpretting a comment.
If you had a question about what he meant, you should've accepting the explanation and moved on.
GLAAD is Gay (No pun intended)
All is right in the world. Martin will be a star commentator at Fox Noise by Friday!
CNN must be a supporter of gay and les rights, Ok then I,ll start watching FOX instead.
This article has got to be the biggest joke in the known galaxy. He was fired for enjoying his freedom of speech and he didn't mention anything about gays. When did (in this country) normal straight men start getting fired for speaking their mind about men watching another mans butt? Someone please tell me what happened to Roland's right to freedom of speech?
It seems as though the USA is becoming a nation that is prejudice against straight people who follow the teachings of God. Which means it is becoming a Sodom & Gomorrah.
So now I can't voice my heartfelt opinion about men & women acts being out of order with God because it offends a perticular group.....Well I am offended by the firing of a straight man over a comment he made in reference to a commercial about mens underwear.
Wait until the tapes come out of how gays talk about straight people. Oh but I guess that will be their God given right to do so....hummmmmmmmmm
its funny how GLAAD is supposedly fighting for "freedom" as they say you cant make a JOKE about gays or lesbians....give me a break...stop the sniveling and grow up
This is a tragic event for both GLAAD and Mr. Martin perpetrated
by someone in CNN who must have been looking to revenge their ego towards Mr.
Martin. When I read what was said I see
nothing about Gays or lesbian members of our society, in my opinion one has to
make a great leap to make that connection.
It’s sad to lose a person like Mr. Martin from any news group and particular
CNN where he voiced a critical view across all segments of our society.
I don't get it. David Beckman isn't even gay. He's metrosexual. If anything, it was a slam to all metrosexuals not gays. I'm offended.
Cnn suspends him for THIS??? While fox has Liz Trotta filth all over the place about women getting "rapped too much" in the military! GO figure!