*Earlier we reported on Kalyn Chapman James, the first black woman to win the Miss Alabama title. She posted on Facebook during which she called Dallas sniper Micah Johnson “a martyr.” Naturally, the reaction from certain quarters wasn’t favorable, to say the least.
Well, earlier today, James speaks with INSIDE EDITION and she’s standing by her video, but does say that she regrets using the word ‘martyr’ to describe the shooter.
“I do wish that I hadn’t used it in my video. I was very emotional,” James says. She explains, “I only used the word in the context of a person who feels like they’re dying for something they believe in. What he did was wrong…He is not a hero to me. I do not condone what he did.”
Still, James, who was crowned the first black Miss Alabama in 1993, tells INSIDE EDITION that her video will stay online.
“As long as people know that that video is just an expression of my sadness and anger and hurt, and that it is not a call to incite more violence, then I’m fine with the video being there,” she says.
James was suspended from her job as TV host at Florida station WPBT-2 following the controversy. In a statement the station said:
“South Florida does not condone the personal statements made by one of its independent contractors regarding the events in Dallas.”
James tells INSIDE EDITION that her remarks caused people to call her a ‘terrorist’ and ‘racist,’ but says that others told her that they understand. James adds:
“I’m not a racist. I feel like people regardless of their race, they should feel safe in the streets.”
For INSIDE EDITION’s full report, tune in on Tuesday, July 12. Check local listings for stations and times at www.insideedition.com.
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