Black anchor accepts white colleague's apology for gorilla comparison: "it cut deep"

A black TV anchor in Oklahoma City has accepted an apology from his white co-anchor who compared him to a gorilla.

KOCO-TV's Jason Hackett and Alex Housden were covering a story on a gorilla that was fascinated by the camera when Housden told Hackett, "he kind of looks like you."

Hackett was heard replying "He kind of does, actually" after a brief pause, according to Newsweek.

"I said something yesterday that was inconsiderate, it was inappropriate, and I hurt people," a tearful Housden said on the next day's show.

"And I want you to know, I understand how much I hurt you out there and how much I've hurt you. I love you so much, and you have been one of my best friends for the past year and a half. And I would never do anything on purpose to hurt you. And I love our community and I want you all to know, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for what I said. I know it was wrong and I am so sorry," she said.

[Screenshot taken from KOCO-TV video]

Hackett accepted the apology on air but acknowledged Housden's words hurt him.

"What she said yesterday was wrong. It cut deep for me, and it cut deep for a lot of you in the community. We're becoming a more diverse country, and there's no excuse. We have to understand the stereotypes. We have to understand each other's backgrounds and the words that hurt, the words that cut deep. We have to find a way to replace those words with love and words of affirmation as well," he said.

Social media lashed out against Housden after she first made the remark.

Housden did not address the racism implicit in her comparing an African American to an ape, CNN reported.

KOCO-TV told USA TODAY it has no additional comments.