Earlier this month, a news anchor based in Mississippi was let go due to a remark made during broadcasting. The phrase used was originally linked to Snoop Dogg and sparked controversy.
According to the Clarion Ledger, Barbie Bassett has not been on-air for WLBT since March 8 and is no longer part of their news team.
The New York Post reached out to Bassett, WLBT, and Snoop Dogg for comment.
“As I am sure you can understand, WLBT is unable to comment on personnel matters,” Ted Fortenberry, the station’s regional vice president and general manager, told The New York Post in an emailed statement Saturday.
So, what’s all the fuss about?
During an on-air discussion about Snoop Dogg’s newest release of his Cali wine, Bassett said, “Fo shizzle, my nizzle.”
Is that all?
Well, the term “Nizzle” is an informal expression that is usually deployed as a substitute for the N-word. In 2011, Ms. Bassett, who is White, tweeted this phrase as well.
This isn’t the first time Bassett, who proudly holds the title of being the inaugural Chief Meteorologist of WLBT, has stirred controversy from her remarks. In October 2022, the Mississippi native expressed regret for referring to a black reporter’s “grandmammy” on air.
Oops.
“Though not intentional, I now understand how my comment was both insensitive and hurtful. I have apologized to Carmen Poe,” Bassett said about her colleague.
“Now, I would like to apologize to you. That is not the heart of who I am. And for that, I humbly ask for your forgiveness and I apologize to everyone I have offended.”
She continued: “I will learn from this and participate in training so I can better understand our history and our people. I can’t mend the hurt my comment caused. I pray you’ll forgive me and that you’ll extend grace through this awful mistake.”
As it relates to her recent ‘fo shizzle, my nizzle’ comment, Charlamagne tha God recently came to her defense during a radio show earlier this month.
“I don’t think she should have been fired for that,” he said on “The Breakfast Club.”
“She might not even know what ‘nizzle’ means, yo. Come on, like stop. That’s not a reason to fire that woman.”
There has been divided opinion over the use of that phrase used by a white woman. While some people are defending her, others are of the opinion that it was inappropriate.
I agree with Charlamagne tha God. Firing her went WAY too far. I’m a Snoop fan and didn’t know what Nizzle meant until I learned the facts to generate this article. Moreover, I’m impressed this educated, white female meteorologist knows Snoop’s music that well.
Hopefully, another station will hire the accomplished Bassett. In the meantime she can be rollin’ down the street, smokin’ indo, sippin’ on gin n’ juice….
