Michelle Burdo of CBS46 in Atlanta used the term “colored woman” while live on air. According to a report by Access Atlanta, Burdo was hosting a segment on “CBS Better Mornings Atlanta” about summer hair tips when she used the outdated term.
While attempting to make a point about having kinky hair similar to a black female hair expert, Burdo pulled on the black woman’s hair and said, “I’m not a colored woman but I have kinky hair just like her and when you straighten it everyday its…” she paused and smile. The black female hair expert finished Burdo’s sentence by saying, “healthier.”
The comment created a firestorm on Twitter and Facebook as users accused Burdo of being ignorant and a racist for referring to black women as “colored.”
CBS46 news director Lane Michaelsen forced Burdo to issue an apology on air. The apology was issued on July 1.
“Yesterday, I made a pretty insensitive remark during one of our segments here on ‘Better Mornings Atlanta.’ I apologize. Once again, I truly want to say from the bottom of my heart that I really am sorry about that comment. I made that comment in reference to my hair color, but I used an inappropriate term,” Burdo said.
CBS46 has yet to reveal if they will reprimand Burdo for her actions.
