ESPN personality Jemele Hill is feeling her company’s wrath after receiving a two-week suspension for a social media violation. The popular sports show host finds herself in the hotseat after calling for a protest related to Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
According to an ESPN statement, Hill violated the company’s social media guidelines.
“Jemele Hill has been suspended for two weeks for a second violation of our social media guidelines,” ESPN said in a statement. “She previously acknowledged letting her colleagues and company down with an impulsive tweet. In the aftermath, all employees were reminded of how individual tweets may reflect negatively on ESPN and that such actions would have consequences. Hence this decision.” (Statement)
Last night, Jemele raised eyebrows after publicly calling out the Cowboys’ ownership for telling players they couldn’t disrespect the National Anthem.
Don't ask Dak, Dez & other Cowboys players to protest. A more powerful statement is if you stop watching and buying their merchandise.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
If you strongly reject what Jerry Jones said, the key is his advertisers. Don't place the burden squarely on the players. https://t.co/Gc48kchkuv
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
This play always work. Change happens when advertisers are impacted. If you feel strongly about JJ's statement, boycott his advertisers. https://t.co/LFXJ9YQe74
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
The headline-generating punishment has already sparked some serious Twitter backlash.
https://twitter.com/SymoneDSanders/status/917475134084173824
So ESPN suspends Jemele Hill. Now if you don't think theres a war on African Americans in this country. You're living under a rock.
— Tim McTyer 🏁 (@timmctyer) October 9, 2017
This Jemele Hill suspension is one of several recent attempts to silence and intimidate Black people who dare resist. Pay attention folks.
— 😷Derrick Clifton (@DerrickClifton) October 9, 2017
@espn is doing @jemelehill dirty just like @nfl is Blackballing Kap. Hard to express your opinions when you are black or brown. #Retaliation
— Rep. Christopher Rosario (@reprosario128) October 9, 2017
Details on ESPN Suspending Jemele Hill For Speaking The Truth About The NFL, Jerry Jones & Racism on Twitter https://t.co/fvQ2W3cGub pic.twitter.com/vx0lA7V4xi
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) October 9, 2017
Jemele previously felt ESPN’s wrath after publicly calling out President Donald Trump.
Hill had previously called President Donald Trump a “bigot” and “a white supremacist who has surrounded himself with other white supremacists” on Twitter. Trump demanded an apology for the “untruth” on Twitter, but ESPN decided not to suspend her at the time because of the context of the tweet according to CEO Bob Iger. Hill apologized to ESPN at the time for painting them in an “unfair light.” (CNBC)
Freedom of speech is denied again!