Target: Steve Burke, CEO and President of NBC Universal
Goal: Cancel Donald Trump’s hosting duties for NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
Saturday Night Live has announced its November 7 show will have Donald Trump as host. This announcement came as a shock to many who remembered NBCU cutting ties with the presidential candidate after his offensive comments about Latinos. The network canceled the Miss USA pageant and The Apprentice, both partially run by Trump, in June. How could the network disagree with the comments made by Trump enough to cut ties with him, yet have him back to host one of its shows?
When announcing its cutting ties with Trump months ago, the network released a statement relaying that “At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values.” How could you respect the dignity of the Latino people while giving Trump a platform to excuse his comments and turn them into a laughing point?
Over the past 40 years that SNL has been broadcasting only two known Latinos have been brought on board to join the show’s cast. Letting Trump play host would further enforce the idea that the Latino community is welcome to be the butt of the show’s jokes, yet not a part of the show itself. Presenting Trump on a comedy platform would further encourage laughing at his hurtful comments rather than realizing the offensive truth behind them. Sign this petition and urge NBCU to cancel Trump’s planned episode and truly prove they put the respect of Latino people above ratings.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Burke,
I am writing you today because I am saddened at your choice to let Donald Trump host the November 7 episode of Saturday Night Live. This announcement came as a shock to me after you cut ties with Trump in June. When announcing your network would no longer be doing business with Trump, the following statement was released: “At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values.” If those statements are true, the networks view should not have changed in the past months.
Trump’s comments have targeted Latino people and it is shocking to me that you would give Trump a platform to turn his racism into a joke. Doing so would further reinstate the idea that his derogatory comments are to be met with laughter rather than be taken seriously.
Over the course of the 40 years Saturday Night Live has been on the air, only two known Latinos have been cast on the show. With statistics like that, you are implementing the idea that the Latino people are welcome to laugh at and be made into the joke, yet not to tell it themselves. I urge you to cancel the upcoming episode Trump is slated to host and prove once and for all that you put the respect of the Latino community over ratings.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore
97 Signatures