Watch MSNBC Apology On 'Way Too Early' For Racist Cinco De Mayo Segment [VIDEO]

MSNBC and the on-air personalities on "Way Too Early" was forced to apologize for their Cinco de Mayo segment gone wrong. The apology was aired this morning with Thomas Roberts saying, "On Monday, Cinco de Mayo, 'Way Too Early' made sarcastic references to the way some Americans celebrate the holiday and it was not our intention to be disrespectful and we sincerely apologize." Some viewers were offended by the bit and deemed it "racist" of the holiday that is celebrated by many Mexicans and Mexican-Americans. Roberts continued by adding that anybody who knows him knows where he stands on "diversity and inclusion." He finished by saying, "to those I let down or feel betrayed, I hear you and I'm sorry." WATCH the apology video down below!

The network issued an apology on Tuesday after the video went viral causing outrage. "MSNBC tried its hand at cultural commentary on Monday with a Cinco de Mayo segment featuring a stereotypical portrayal of a stumbling Mexican by a reporter pretending to guzzle tequila straight from the bottle," the statement read. "As a visual reading "Mexican Heritage Celebration" appeared on screen, Way Too Early host Thomas Roberts explained the historical background of the holiday. As he spoke, a sombrero-clad Louis Burgdorf wandered around the newsroom shaking a maraca." The anchor of the show, Thomas Roberts, was also quick to apologize via his Twitter account. "On Monday, Cinco De Mayo, 'Way Too Early' made sarcastic references to the way some Americans celebrate the holiday," Roberts tweeted. "It was not our intention to be disrespectful and we sincerely apologize for the ill-advised references."

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists has called of an apology saying it is "discriminatory" and "stereotypical." "This is simply the worst example I have seen of a discriminatory stereotypical portrayal of any community by any media," wrote Hugo Balta, NAHJ President. "The fact that this was done by a news organization is abominable. This wasn't a chance occurrence. This was a planned segment where many journalists agreed on the content and execution which concluded on what was seen nationwide. It feeds to the ignorant misconceptions of a rich and proud people who unfortunately are too often portrayed as caricatures to be scoffed at. NAHJ denounces the actions taken by MSNBC's "Way Too Early" team for their capricious actions, lack of judgment, insensitivity and attack at the Mexican community. NAHJ demands that the employees involved in the planning and production of this segment be disciplined and made to publicly apologize for their actions."