ESPN Faces Backlash For Potentially Racist “Auctioning” Segment
ESPN is facing some negative criticism for airing a segment involving black athletes that many are finding racist and offensive.
The segment in question was meant to be a play on fantasy football, but instead of it being played online it was made into an auction. The auctioneer attempted to get the highest price for his player and sold it to the highest bidder. Unfortunately, the imagery of a white auctioneer auctioning a black football player to a crowd of white people gave many the wrong impression.
Social activists like Shaun King and DeRay Mckesson have been quick to call ESPN out, with King even demanding that ESPN make an apology.
Dear @ESPN,
Apologize now for doing a sketch where you auctioned a Black man off to the highest bidder. pic.twitter.com/D8SC1cjhBU
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) August 15, 2017
for why? https://t.co/qrLa2FhDog
— deray mckesson (@deray) August 15, 2017
How. How does not one person stand up and say "Yoooooooo maybe let's not do this." ?!?! https://t.co/OVJplRlLfb
— Stephen White (@sgw94) August 15, 2017
Welp. They clearing didn't run this idea by any black people 😬🤦🏽♂️ https://t.co/OuoeIouhip
— Derek Minor (@thederekminor) August 15, 2017
what. the. fuck. https://t.co/39eRtQHv33
— Russ Bengtson (@russbengtson) August 15, 2017