search
Sections List
American Journal News

Watch: Atlanta news anchor destroys racist viewer on air after she called her the N-word

Atlanta news anchor Sharon Reed sent a clear message on Tuesday: If you come for her, she will clap back. Reed, an evening anchor on local station CBS 46, had been discussing the racial dynamics of Atlanta’s recent mayoral race between Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is black, and challenger Mary Norwood, who would be the first […]

By Eric Boehlert - December 06, 2017
Share
CBS 46 news anchor Sharon Reed.
CBS 46 news anchor Sharon Reed.

Reed, an evening anchor on local station CBS 46, had been discussing the racial dynamics of Atlanta’s recent mayoral race between Keisha Lance Bottoms, who is black, and challenger Mary Norwood, who would be the first white mayor of Atlanta in nearly 40 years.

Bottoms won, but Norwood has already filed for a recount.

The campaign has sparked intense debates about race and racism, including on CBS 46, which prompted a local woman to lash out at Reed in an email.

“You need to be fired for the race baiting comment you made tonight,” wrote Katy Rae, a CBS 46 viewer. “It’s okay for blacks to discuss certain subjects but not whites…Really, you are what I call a N***r not a black person. you are a racist N***r. you are what’s wrong with the world.”

Reed wasn’t going to stand for it. Instead, she delivered an epic takedown on live television Tuesday night.

“Number one, you mischaracterized what I said,” Reed began. “I didn’t say that white people can’t talk about race. Quite contrary, we think that race is an authentic discussion to have. It’s one that we’re having tonight because it’s one many of you are talking about at home. It’s one that has clearly entered the Atlanta mayor’s race.”

Then, she addressed the slur:

When arguing with someone, you have to be careful not to mischaracterize their viewpoint, so I won’t mischaracterize your view either, Kathy Rae. I get it. On Dec. 5, 2017, you think it’s OK to call this journalist a n—–. I don’t. But I could clap back and say a few things to you. But instead, I’ll let your words, Kathy Rae, speak for themselves. And that’ll be the last word.

While this incident was sparked by the racial dynamics of the Atlanta mayor’s race, the idea of someone signing their name to an email, sending it a local news anchor, and calling her the N-word — twice — reflects a larger problem exacerbated during the Donald Trump era, when so many conservatives have embraced white nationalism, and worse.

Taking their cues from the White House, which relentlessly engages in race-baiting rhetoric, Trump followers seem to revel in the chance to lash out and demean people based on race and ethnicity.

But the targets of their hate are pushing back, publicly. And it’s not just Reed in Atlanta this week.

On Tuesday, the NAACP urged Trump not to attend the opening of a new civil rights museum in Mississippi, which he’s currently scheduled to do on Saturday.

“President Trump’s statements and policies regarding the protection and enforcement of civil rights have been abysmal, and his attendance is an affront to the veterans of the civil rights movement,” Derrick Johnson, the NAACP’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “He has created a commission to reinforce voter suppression, refused to denounce white supremacists, and overall, has created a racially hostile climate in this nation.”

On Tuesday, Reed experienced some of that racially hostile climate — and fought back.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
AJ News
Latest
Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

By Jesse Valentine - April 22, 2025
Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

By Jesse Valentine - April 21, 2025
“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

By Bonnie Fuller - April 21, 2025
Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

By Jesse Valentine - April 17, 2025
Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

By Jesse Valentine - April 16, 2025
North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

By Jesse Valentine - April 11, 2025
Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

By Jesse Valentine - April 09, 2025
Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

By Jesse Valentine - April 08, 2025
Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

By Jesse Valentine - March 28, 2025
Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

By Jesse Valentine - March 26, 2025
GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

By Jesse Valentine - March 18, 2025
HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

By Jesse Valentine - March 11, 2025
Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

By Jesse Valentine - March 10, 2025
Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

By - February 28, 2025
Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

By Jesse Valentine - February 27, 2025
Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

By Jesse Valentine - February 26, 2025
Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

By Jesse Valentine - February 13, 2025
JD Vance defends DOGE staffer who promoted eugenics 

JD Vance defends DOGE staffer who promoted eugenics 

By Jesse Valentine - February 10, 2025