Kalyn Chapman James, the first African American Miss Alabama, landed in hot water for her comments regarding the recent Dallas shooting on Facebook. James, who hosts a weekly arts program on Miami area public television station WPBT2 is receiving tons of backlash and remains on administrative leave, AL.com reported on Monday.
While holding back tears, James’ admits, “I’m dealing with a bit of guilt because I don’t feel sad for the officer that lost their lives and I know that’s not my heart. I value human life and I want to feel sad for them but I can’t help but feeling like the shooter was a martyr.”
The gunman who opened fire in Dallas last week, killing five police officers and wounding seven others was caught in a parking garage and eventually killed by a police explosive detonation robot.
James, who became Miss Alabama in 1993, explained further, “I know it’s not the right way to feel, because nobody deserves to lose their lives and I know those police officers have families and people who love and they didn’t deserve to die. But I’m so torn up about seeing these young Black men being gunned down in our community. I can’t help but feel…I wasn’t surprised what the shooter did to those cops.”
The station denounced her comments through a statement released on their Twitter account Monday afternoon. “WPBT2 South Florida PBS does not condone the personal statements made by one of its independent contractors regarding the events in Dallas,” the statement read.
Officials there are currently evaluating and will further determine its relationship with James and “will determine additional course of actions based on its thorough review of the matter,” the station said.
James hosts “Art Loft,” a weekly program that highlights local artists, exhibitions, performances and art groups in the South Florida area.
In an interview with CWPMI 15, James said that her words were taken out of context and she has received mixed views. Although, she’s gotten harsh threats, James revealed that a wife of a Dallas Police Officer reached out her. “She said that she watched my video and she wasn’t mad, she understood what I was saying and that she forgave me,” James told WPMI 15.
Source Ebony
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