NPR Bounces Juan Williams for Muslim Remark

Islamic garb on planes makes him a 'nervous' flyer
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 21, 2010 3:04 AM CDT

NPR has axed commentator Juan Williams after he said that Muslims on his airline flights make him "nervous." Williams comments are "inconsistent with our editorial standards," said a statement from NPR. Williams made his remarks on Fox's The O'Reilly Factor as he discussed attitudes toward "political correctness" and how they "could lead to some kind of paralysis where you don't address reality." He volunteered that whenever he sees someone in Muslim garb boarding his flight "I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims. I get worried. I get nervous."

There was no immediate response from Williams, who is African American and has written extensively on the civil rights movement and race, notes the Los Angeles Times. CNN recently fired newscaster Rick Sanchez after he called Daily Show host Jon Stewart a bigot and claimed TV was heavily influenced by Jews. (More NPR stories.)

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