Mr. Bill O’ Reilly
The O’ Reilly Factor
1211 Ave. of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Dear Mr. O’Reilly:
We have little doubt that you are aware of the offensive nature of the term "wetback," and we note with displeasure the ease with which you blurted out the slur on your Feb. 6 show.
You told The New York Times that you were grasping for the term "coyote." Your reasoning is noted, but it falls far short of the apology that remains due.
At the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, we are committed to ensuring that Latinos are treated fairly by the media. Understanding the passion behind issues such as immigration policy and how the U.S. should handle illegal immigration, we frequently call for civility and advocate terminology that recognizes the humanity of everyone involved in the discussion, from the angry members of the "citizen militias" to the young Mexican men and women risking their lives for the economic opportunity available in the United States. We do not expect the whole nation to come to agreement on these difficult issues overnight.
But we do expect, and indeed demand, that members of the media recognize that racist slurs have no place in this conversation or debate. The fact that you’ve used the term before (according to CNS News and The Morning Call of Allentown, PA) leads us to wonder whether you truly understand how offensive this word is.
Fox News issued a statement indicating it does not approve of the use of ethnic slurs. The statement goes on to say that you do not approve of their use either. What the Fox statement does not say is that you used an ethnic slur. Further, it does not say you are sorry to have used it.
Cut the spin, Mr. O’Reilly. You owe your viewers an apology. Deliver it.
Sincerely,
Rafael Olmeda
Chair, Issues Committee
CC: David Tabacoff, executive producer
