A member of the Harlem Globetrotters released a video Saturday evening accusing two Birmingham-based TV anchors of racism after they threw fruit at him during a televised segment recorded earlier this year.
Maxwell Pearce, who played basketball for Purchase University in New York from 2015 to 2018, said the incident occurred during an appearance on WBRC’s Good Day Alabama show, a Fox affiliate. He delayed going public with his experience for fear of losing his job, but said that he hoped his decision would help others.
“By sharing this story, it can inspire people to share their experiences of racism and discrimination,” he said in the five-minute video. “Throwing a banana at a black man and passing it off as entertainment displays an unacceptable lack of awareness, and quite frankly I’m having a very difficult time understanding how someone could work in the media field and not know this is offensive.”
Pearce named anchor Clare Huddleston and lead weather forecaster Mickey Ferguson in the video, saying the pair threw two tangerines and a banana at him during a segment where he was supposed to be performing tricks with a basketball. Anchor Mike Dubberly is shown standing beside Pearce and laughing.
WBRC did not immediately respond to an email from AL.com on Sunday asking for comment.
Pearce added that even if the offense was not intentional, it did not lessen the damage. “This carries deep racial undertones that date back to the early 1900s when black people were held in display in human zoos.”
Pearce, whose story comes amid a racism crisis in the country, said that he conducted a second interview with station to explain why the original segment was so offensive. However, he claims that much of the historical information he spoke about was later cut.
“This is another example of how history has been carefully presented to favor and safe face of the oppressor,” he said.
Updated at 4:41 p.m. to correct the spelling of the name of one of the anchors.
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August 17, 2020 at 04:26AM
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Harlem Globetrotter hit with fruit by Alabama TV anchors: ‘This carries deep racial undertones' - AL.com
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