Controversial sports radio station to shut down for an entire day for 'sensitivity training'
Boston’s WEEI-FM has canceled its live programming for Friday in order for its employees to attend “mandatory sensitivity training.”
The station’s training comes after radio host Christian Fauria was suspended for five days for performing a racially insensitive impression of Tom Brady’s agent, Don Yee.
Fauria exaggerated a stereotypical Asian accent for the Chinese-American Yee.
The radio station apologized for the incident last week and announced Fauria’s suspension.
We do not support or condone Christian’s comments, and we have suspended him for five days effective immediately.
— WEEI (@WEEI) February 10, 2018
On Wednesday, WEEI announced its plan to give its employees sensitivity training.
Statement from WEEI: pic.twitter.com/cLykP0gtFB
— WEEI (@WEEI) February 14, 2018
“Nothing is more important to WEEI than the close-knit and diverse Boston community we call home, and we are committed to actively contributing to its betterment,” it said. “WEEI is in the process of closely reevaluating our policies and procedures in an effort to ensure that our programming is never intolerant or harmful to our listeners and our city.”
According to Study.com, sensitivity training is about “developing respect for each person as an equal and as a human being. Just as we have wants and needs, so do the others around us. And just as we want people to show respect to our feelings and ways of living, so too must we show respect to others.”
In the wake of Fauria’s comments, WEEI has had at least five advertisers suspend or terminate their commercial purchases with the station, including Comcast Corp., Citizens Bank and the Massachusetts State Lottery.
Fauria has since apologized for his actions.
Earlier today I made a horrible attempt at humor. In a segment during the show, I impersonated agent Don Yee in an insensitive and regrettable way. I want to publicly apologize to Don and anyone in the audience who heard it.
— christian fauria (@christianfauria) February 10, 2018
I have also reached out to Don directly to personally apologize. I have been disciplined by WEEI management and I fully support their decision.
— christian fauria (@christianfauria) February 10, 2018
This isn’t the first time this year that WEEI has been in trouble.
Just a few weeks ago, the station’s Alex Reimer was suspended for calling Brady’s 5-year-old daughter an “annoying little pissant.“
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