Amy Robach Apologizes For Her Inadvertent Use Of A Racial Slur

Culture&Arts Nancy Frank
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Good Morning America host Amy Robach found herself in hot water recently after she inadvertently used a racial slur during a live broadcast. During Monday’s broadcast of the venerable morning program, Robach used the term “colored people”, causing a major stir in the process.

For Amy’s part, she has immediately apologized and chalks up her use of the term to a mere misunderstanding, claiming that she meant to use the phrase “people of color” instead. The faux pas occurred during a segment about the presence of minority actors in Hollywood, as Robach was asked to fill in for Robin Roberts.

She was speaking about the recent criticism over movie casting decisions, as white people have often received roles that are more traditionally suited to black actors and actresses. She said “role reserved for colored people”, but in reality, she meant to say “role reserved for people of color”.

Robach calls the slip up a mistake and says that it is not indicative of her typical thought process. Now that the words that are used to describe the nation’s African-American population have changed significantly, black leaders such as Deborah E. McDowell, the University of Virginia’s director of African-American and African Studies at the Carter G. Woodson Institute, says that terms like “Negro” and “colored” are no longer acceptable.

While the term “colored” was once considered to be an acceptable way to refer to an African-American or person of color, those who are tasked with speaking about the community in a broad manner must educate themselves and begin to make the proper changes. Robach’s error can now serve as a highly valuable teaching moment, one that allows for a much greater understanding.