(The Slice): MSNBC Cross Connection host, "Tiffany Cross" was abruptly let go recently. A group of well-known Blacks penned a letter to the parent company, NBC-Universal requesting a meeting to disucss what they believe was an unfair dismissal of a needed program. The weekend show was heralded for keeping attention on Black issues and offering other minorities a seat at the table. It is widely believed in the African American comunity that she lost her position over double standards.
The network severed ties with Cross a day after she called Florida the “d*** of the country” as a guest on Charlamagne Tha God’s Hell of a Week show.
MSNBC/Peacock is led by African American Rashida Jones who has demonstrated Diversity and Inclusion hiring practices, whereby blacks and women are in the anchor chair moreso than on other networks. Biden Administration alum Symone Sanders, WaPo veteran Jonathan Capehart, and Joy Ann Reid, all African American hosts on the network and its subsidiary, were hired under the helm of Jones. Black talent, from reporters to contributors, is pepered throughout MSNBC's variety of broadcast news real estate. Yet, detractors are calling them out for firing Cross without warning., despite her show having a significant draw.
On Nov. 4, Ms. Cross wrote in a statement:
“From the beginning, we were intentional about centering communities of colors [sic], elevating issues and voices often ignored by the mainstream media, and disrupting the echo chambers. As a result, viewers consistently made The Cross Connection MSNBC’s highest rated weekend show.”
She said she found the unexpected cancellation of her show "disheartening" but will move on.
The network did not provide an in-depth reason for putting a results-producing talent on the chopping block, simply offering that firings are a normal part of business.
Cross's contract may not have been renewed becasue "her commentary did not meet the standards of MSNBC or NBC News," report Variety.
It is speculated that than the ouster allowed the company to free up funds to pay its rock star Rachel Maddow to stay on for at least once per week and to compensate incoming host Jen Psaki, the former White House Press Secretary of Joe Biden.
The uproar over the departure of former MSNBC talents Tamaron Hall and Melissa Harris Perry -- both Black -- was far less than the response to out-spoken Cross. Joy Ann Reid, who remains as n anchor of the outlet expressed her disappointment over the issue and intent to stnd in solidarity with her "friend."
Conservative critics such as Megyn Kelly adn Tucker Carlson frequently trashed Cross for her controversial opinions about racism. Carlson ha recently accused Cross of "genocidal tlak" which her defenders mentioned in the letter, complaining that the network's persoanlities failed to defend their co-worker.
In the letter, the officials also criticized MSNBC for deciding not to renew Cross’ contract just a few weeks after Fox News’ Tucker Carlson blasted her comments on race in a segment. During the segment, Carlson accused Cross of “genocidal talk.”
“His intentional misrepresentation of her platform amounted to no less than a direct attack, and should have engendered immediate defense and support of Ms. Cross by her parent network,” the letter said.
“Instead, it appears that NBCUniversal has allowed Fox News to dictate its hiring and unwarranted firing decisions. We cannot afford to be bullied by those who willingly and wantonly drag this country backwards.”
The letter was singed by 40 Black leaders including fellow journalists Roland Martin and Jemele Hill.