University of Tennessee and Vol Network reporter Kasey Funderburg has resigned after it was discovered that she had posted several tweets between 2013-2014 using a derogatory racial slur, as reported by Knox News.
Kasey Funderburg via Kasey Funderburg YouTube
The tweets that Funderburg had posted when she was still in high school resurfaced after individuals online got into a spat with the reporter, who was denouncing what she deemed to be racially insensitive remarks made about Tennessee’s “dark mode” black uniforms which they wore during their match with Kentucky.
“All fans will be asked to wear black clothes and paint their face all black as well,” said a parody account by the name of “Richard G. West.”
Source: RGW_News Twitter
Funderburg responded that it was a “fake account” and that real Tennessee fans would not stand by that remark, but then quickly, other Twitter users followed up after digging through her own timeline far enough to find the past statements which got her in trouble.
You can see screenshots that were found by Twitter user @usafdadhttr of Funderburg’s tweets with the “n-word” from 2013-2014 below.
Source: USAFDADHTTR Twitter
After the old tweets resurfaced, Funderburg set her Twitter account to private. Days later after her resignation was announced, she turned her account back on to public in order to issue her first statement since the incident.
“The comments I tweeted as a high school student were unacceptable and ignorant,” said Funderburg. “I sincerely apologize for using offensive language and to anyone I hurt or offended with those remarks.
“I take full responsibility for my actions. This language is not appropriate in any context and has not been party of my vocabulary since then.
Source: K_Funderburg Twitter
Funderburg continued, “At the University of Tennessee, I worked in the athletic department and joined the University’s Diversity and Inclusion group which afforded me the opportunity to learn additional valuable lessons about the viewpoints of people from different races, cultures, and countries, as well as the strength that such diversity provides.
“Moving forward, I will continue my work to be a better ally so that I may promote a more inclusive society where everyone is welcome.
“Thank you to all the University of Tennessee teams I covered, my co-workers and fans who have supported me over the years. I remain grateful,” she concluded.”
Kasey Funderburg via Kasey Funderburg YouTube
RELATED: NHL Embraces Anti-White Racism, Says They Have Too Many White Employees, Aims To Change That
Since Funderburg’s resignation, a Change.org petition with more than one thousand signatures titled “bring Kasey Funderburg Back” has brought a flood of supporters in of the young reporter.
What do you think? Should she have to face consequences for something she did when she was a teenager more than a seven years ago? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.