Knoxville climate anchor Tabitha Bartoe says curly hair led to WATE firing
It was Tabitha Bartoe’s third day on the job at WATE when her bosses on the TV station in Knoxville, Tennessee, pulled her away from coaching − not for an pressing climate occasion, however for a hair appointment and purchasing spree to search out new garments.
The station felt like an excellent match for the current faculty grad, and the position of weekend morning climate anchor was a promising one.
However after months of being criticized by supervisors for her look − particularly, her naturally curly hair − Bartoe mentioned she was let go Could 9 as a result of her type did not align with firm coverage.
“It would not even sound actual,” Bartoe told the Knox News Sentinel, a member of the USA TODAY Community. “The entire thing simply feels like a joke. And I want it was.”
Ladies in tv have all the time needed to take care of a slim magnificence normal that may be weaponized to eradicate their jobs. Final yr, famend Canadian tv journalist Lisa LaFlamme was fired after she stopped dyeing her hair and let her pure grey present.
In 2019, Mississippi information anchor Brittany Noble-Jones was fired after a supervisor complained about her pure hair. Noble-Jones is Black and didn’t straighten her hair or put on extensions. She mentioned she was instructed to use a closet to pump milk for breastfeeding after she returned to work following the beginning of her baby.
Noble-Jones’ former station is owned by Nexstar Media, the identical firm that owns WATE.
WATE climate anchor ‘had no say’ in coiffure
The critiques of Bartoe did not cease with the primary hair appointment, which was laborious sufficient to endure by itself. Months later, she mentioned, the station requested her to see one other stylist with the identical imprecise request to melt her curls.
“It wasn’t essentially an issue at first as a result of I used to be simply assuming that they had been simply making an attempt to assist me and making an attempt to construct my skilled picture,” Bartoe mentioned. “I used to be prepared to make the most of it, however I believe it was immediately after they requested me if I used to be prepared to ever get my hair relaxed. Or, ‘Should you straighten your hair, the curl will fall out over time; that is what we’re on the lookout for.’
“That is simply not what I used to be on the lookout for. … I would wish to have my pure hair.”
Bartoe mentioned she was bullied for her curly hair rising up however has since discovered to embrace the look.
She would not know whether or not her supervisor accepted of the brand new takes care of her appointments − solely that she was requested to smile for a photograph to ship to the station’s basic supervisor.
“I had no say in how my hair was alleged to be accomplished for each appointments,” she mentioned. “It was simply what they needed. I didn’t really feel comfy in both of these conditions.”
The Information Sentinel tried to contact information director Alison Coe and station supervisor Kim Byrd however no messages had been returned.
‘We perceive one measurement would not match all’
The state of affairs has sparked outrage and a wave of on-line assist. Bartoe shared her story in a social media post to viewers, explaining her absence from TV.
The response was overwhelming, and the New York Publish, Day by day Mail and different media retailers reported on Bartoe’s firing. The stories homed in on the a part of her message that referred to the scale of her garments.
“Everybody is gorgeous {and professional} in their very own methods,” she wrote. “Regardless of you probably have curly hair, otherwise you’re not a measurement two, however a measurement 12.”
This a part of her message has been blown out of proportion, Bartoe mentioned, as station management’s primary focus of criticism had been imprecise and conflicting requests to alter her hair.
Nonetheless, her physique sort was the topic of at the least one dialog with administration, through which she was instructed “we perceive one measurement would not match all,” Bartoe mentioned.
Bartoe mentioned she was instructed to look in a mirror within the basic supervisor’s workplace to look at her look and believes she was focused for criticism of her type despite the fact that her wardrobe aligned with others within the newsroom.
“I imply, Calvin Klein is a fairly widespread model,” she mentioned, referring to the designer whose garments she wore. “Once we went to go select clothes and all the things, the information director requested me what measurement I wore. And I used to be like, ‘Properly, I am slightly little bit of a curvier particular person, and these straight-down clothes, I can not simply try this. …
“So, I inform her my measurement and she or he simply form of seems to be me up and down, and we go about our time.”
‘Do not be afraid to talk up’
Bartoe understands she’s not the one girl at WATE or in tv singled out for her look − she’s simply prepared to talk up.
Bartoe mentioned her bosses made feedback about her skilled enhancements within the new position. Bartoe was getting extra comfy on digicam, she mentioned, and her efficiency by no means appeared to be a problem.
Although she thinks supervisors must be encouraging leaders − particularly towards somebody early of their profession − it has been the digital producers, on-air expertise, and different friends who’ve supported her essentially the most, earlier than and after she left the station.
“Undoubtedly, if you’re beginning out, simply be assured in your self,” Bartoe mentioned. “If it is nice suggestions, then completely make the most of it. But when it is one thing that form of hurts you or simply makes you are feeling bothered not directly, do not be afraid to talk up for your self and advocate for your self.”
Others within the newsroom knew what was occurring, she mentioned, however her colleagues felt restricted in what they may say.
“It is form of unhappy when you possibly can’t present your assist (publicly) for any person with out the higher administration being upset if you happen to do not agree with them,” Bartoe mentioned.
Tabitha Bartoe plans to proceed media profession past WATE
Earlier than being let go, Bartoe mentioned she had been reminded by the station’s basic supervisor that she was inside the first 90 days of her contract.
“So, she was mainly telling me both you do what we are saying or it is time so that you can go,” she mentioned.
The last word cause Bartoe was let go: “Your type is not aligning with the corporate and the corporate coverage, so your time is completed right here,” she remembers being instructed.
She was walked out of the constructing whereas employees members retrieved her belongings.
“I wasn’t even allowed to return into the newsroom to seize my stuff,” she mentioned. “I left the station. I simply cried as a result of I did not even know what occurred. It did not even really feel actual.”
The expertise is not stopping Bartoe from persevering with her profession in media despite the fact that she understands protection of her story may hurt potential employers’ notion of her.
She is pursing an internet grasp’s diploma in communication.
Ryan Wilusz will be reached at by e mail at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com and on Instagram @knoxscruff.