April 3rd 2024.
After receiving backlash for a recent article that contained sexist and racist descriptions of the LSU women's basketball team, a writer for the Los Angeles Times has issued an apology. The team, which includes prominent Black female players like Flau'jae Johnson and Angel Reese, was subjected to derogatory language in an article written on March 30th by Ben Bolch. The piece was originally intended to respond to a controversial profile on LSU's coach, Kim Mulkey, but instead, it directed insults towards the collegiate players.
In the article, the highly-anticipated match between LSU and UCLA was described as a battle between "good versus evil." The "evil" was attributed to Mulkey and her predominantly Black squad, while the UCLA athletes were portrayed as "classy." This stark contrast in descriptions, with LSU being labeled as the "villains" and UCLA as "America's sweethearts," quickly caught the attention of social media users who criticized the piece for its hyper-sexualization and vilification of Black women.
Realizing the impact of his words, Bolch took two days to write a "long overdue" apology, which he shared on social media. In it, he acknowledged the importance of language and the role of journalists in using it responsibly. He also recognized the misogyny and racism at play in his article and in society in general, expressing his regret for contributing to these harmful issues.
While Bolch's apology was met with mixed reactions, with some accepting it and others questioning its sincerity, the players most affected by his words have yet to directly comment on the article. However, it is clear that Bolch's words have caused harm and have highlighted the need for more responsible and inclusive journalism. As Bolch himself stated, "Words matter," and it is important for all of us to use them with care and consideration.
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