XXL Editor Suspends Staff Responsible for Too Short Video, Is It Enough?
Earlier this week, we called your attention to an offensive “advice” video posted on the XXL website from rapper Too Short. In it he advised young boys how to “turn girls out” and possibly assault them sexually.
After sites like Clutch, Ebony, MyBrownBaby, NewBlackMan, MadamNoire and others criticized the hip hop magazine for posting such an irresponsible video, it was quickly pulled and the mag’s editor-in-chief, Vanessa Satten issued a brief apology.
Almost as quickly as the video came down, however, a petition calling for Satten’s firing began circulating the web and it was clear, many were still not happy with XXL’s handling of the situation.
Satten then issued a longer apology informing readers that the responsible parties have been disciplined.
Satten wrote:
Last Friday, I received an email from a reader about a Too $hort video that had posted on XXLMag.com. Without having seen the video yet, I immediately forwarded the email to my web staff, watched the video and had it taken down immediately. As the Editor-in-Chief of both the magazine and the web site, I do not see all content before it posts live. As is typical at many media companies, with the rapid pace the web moves, I empower the online editors to produce and post content that goes live without my approval.
As soon as I learned about the video, I had it taken down.
As a woman, I in no way find the content of the video acceptable. To think I would ever approve anything that would harm women or endanger children is absurd. Under no terms should sexual assault be tolerated, nor do I endorse making light of it.
The staffers responsible for producing and posting this video have since been suspended. We are currently implementing changes in our posting process to ensure something like this never happens again. I am not trying to pass this off on my staff but unfortunately an awful judgment call was made.
fire too $hort!
agreed!
I think thats enough.
Of course you would…
I am sorry, would you like their first born or just their genitals on a silver platter?
Haha! Funny exchange.
I think that those responsible for publishing the video on the site need to be fired. It actually boggles the mind as to how they still have jobs at that magazine. The video was grossly irresponsible to publish, and straddles the line of breaking the law by inciting the rape of minors.
Also, I feel that this is one of those situations where being cruel means being kind. Those responsible for producing this video saw nothing inherently wrong about it. By firing them, it’ll be setting a standard in their mode of thinking (for some, even a precedent) that the devolution of the African-American youth isn’t worth a cheap laugh or two.
By suspending people like that, they’ll most likely learn nothing.
For advocating the sexual assault of underage girls? Genitals, please. Thank you.
@ K.Michel
They will learn the same lesson from a suspension as they would from a firing. With a suspension you do not risk the chance of permanently damaging a career for what might be a first time offense. I can see if this is one series of missteps but that has not been indicated here.
D-Chubb
Get them your self.
She’s a white woman? Oh, no wonder she was willing to publish that shit.
You’re probably right on that one. When one feels that something doesn’t directly affect them…..it’s a ok. Not this time.
She should be fired. Plain and Simple. She’s the editor and she’s responsible.
“I am not trying to pass this off on my staff but unfortunately an awful judgment call was made.” PFFT!! Fire the editor, that trash would not have went down it was intended for a white audience.
YES,The Editor-in-Chief needs to hand in her letter of RESIGNATION.