Rodner Figueroa Open Letter To Michelle Obama: Former Univision Host Says, ‘I’m Not A Racist’

Rodner Figueroa was fired from Univision for a racist comment made about the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Now the former "Sal y Pimienta" host is asking for forgiveness in an open letter to Obama. Figueroa doesn't want to be deemed a racist and feels Univision is humiliating him after the turn of events. "I offer my sincerest apologies for a comment that I made about the characterization a make-up artist made about you in the Univision entertainment program 'El Gordo y La Flaca,'" the letter read. "I want to make it clear that I'm not racist and my comment wasn't directed personally to you, but to the characterization of the artist, that left a lot to be desired. The clip in full context is proof."

He added, "I feel embarrased, I ask for forgiveness, because there is no excuse for a professional like me to make those types of comments that can be interpreted as offensive and racist in a volatile moment that we live in our country. I take full responsibility for the lack of judgement in my part, but I can't accept that I am being called a racist, being fired for that reason and being humiliated by Univision after working there for 17 years. I come from a bi-racial Latin family, with family members, like my father, who is Afro-Latino. I am the first presenter on Hispanic TV that is openly gay and I am an activist for causes that favor minorities that have been discriminated against just like me. I openly voted twice for your husband Barack Obama, because I consider him a great man that respects minorities, like me, in this country."

"I worked on two Univision shows where I commented about celebrity style and looks, including the Royal Family and Latin first ladies, and I have never offended anybody because of their skin color, sexual orientation or nationality. I am a decent person, but I'm a human that makes mistakes like this one. Although the comment was unpleasant and out of line, I do not deserved being called a racist and I have to defend myself for respect and love to my family, my father, my fans and my community. I was notified verbally that due to a complaint from your office I was fired. And thanks to an information leak from Univision executives, I was condemend on social media, destroying my career in an unfair manner, without letting me know personally and without an investigation that would allow to clear up the situation. Again, I offer my humble forgiveness for the misinterpreation and I assume the responsibility."