Gabrielle Union Talks Black Lives Matter, KeKe Palmer, LaLa Anthony, Being Mary Jane and Almost Christmas with Melissa Harris Perry at the BET Experience-Genius Talks: State of the Union: Black Women in Hollywood
Former MSNBC host Melissa Harris-Perry is far from quiet when talking about her recent departure from the cable network. Harris Perry’s departure was made public after an email from her to her “Nerdland” staff was released. In the email she wrote, “The purpose of this decision seems to be to provide cover MSNBC, not to provide voice for MHP Show. I will not be used as a tool for their purposes. I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head.”
MSNBC’s facelift over the past two years has cut the airtime of some of its most prominent minority personalities — and it is starting to be noticed. The National Association of Black Journalists expressed concerns about MSNBC’s record in the wake of the noisy exit of weekend host Melissa Harris-Perry.
Melissa Harris-Perry and MSNBC are going their separate ways. “Farewell #Nerdland,” she tweeted on Sunday, referring to the probing discussions on her weekend show. “Inviting diverse new voices to table was a privilege. Grateful for years of support & criticism.” The network says MSNBC and Harris-Perry are parting ways. She was scheduled to appear this Saturday and Sunday in the regular two-hour slot from 10 a.m. to noon. But Harris-Perry announced several days ago that she would stay away — in response to MSNBC’s pre-emption of her program for much of February for coverage of presidential politics. Harris-Perry has focused