by Nelima
Just stumbled upon this story from WCCO. Wow! If anyone knows Ms. Anato-Mensah, please ask her to share her side of the story. It reads that she went crazy after being fired, but I’m thinking the only way someone could erupt like this if they’d been had been pushed to the edge. You know like if you had a boss that was constantly witch hunting you, because you weren’t getting along. I’m not supporting what she did, but I have to wonder how things got to this point? Jenny please share.
Former TV Intern Causes Trouble After Firing
A former intern at KSTP-TV faces criminal charges after she allegedly went on a tirade when she was fired.
Jennifer Anato-Mensah allegedly yelled obscenities, chased an executive producer, and smashed a window in the newsroom. She’s charged with misdemeanor criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.
Danielle Prenevost is an executive producer of KSTP’s early evening newscasts. She says the intern did not understand the concepts of a TV newsroom and that she told Anato-Mensah she didn’t have enough experience.
At that point, Prenevost says, Anato-Mensah “just lost it.”
The criminal complaint says that on Oct. 13, the 21-year-old began yelling at Prenevost saying she would “mess you up.” It says Prenevost tried to walk away, and the intern chased her, eventually kicking out a window in a conference room door as she tried to get in.
Anato-Mensah is a student at the University of Minnesota. She did not return a message left by The Associated Press.
nekessa
Nelima
Eva
yeamyah
mameneh
IBé
minneafricanblogger
kawuma
Solange
24 responses so far ↓
Cyril (Mr. Sankara) // November 20, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I don’t trust the validity of this damn story! With a name like Prenevost, what do you expect? The b*** is lying!
nelimak // November 20, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Its funny but every single person I’ve told this story sympathizes with Jenny. I guess she did what so many people have thought of doing before.
Souffle // November 20, 2008 at 6:19 pm
So sad it had to get to that point. As a general rule, beating things (or people) isnt a means to an end. The fairest thing would be to hear her end of the story.
Ntang Elad // November 20, 2008 at 6:22 pm
the prenevosts of the world do not realise that their unwillingness to understand other peoples’ approach can ruin livelihoods in the numbers. See now, that girl has trhe whole village relying on her to make certain things happen based on that income,,she has set goals for herself dependent pn that cash flow and you’re just gonna get up one day bcos you had a bad week and say “you’re fired!!!” she saw her whole life flash before her eyes. What ever happened to ” Ms Mensah, we have noticed that your performance is lagging , so in the next month if you don’t meet the standards we’ll have to let you go” that way in the next month if she’s still not up to snuff,,or knows she can’t do it she at least is not shocked and has time to make other plans. just an uneducated suggestion cos I relly know nothing of the situation
nekessa // November 20, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Nelima and Cyril, I trust you will be getting to the bottom of this story?
Cyril (Mr. Sankara) // November 20, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Nekessa, we’re 70% there already. Stay tuned!
Flora // November 20, 2008 at 10:50 pm
And just like that, she’s ruined her chances of getting a real job in the media industry (at least in MN).
Jennifer's #1 Fan // November 21, 2008 at 4:11 am
Dear Jennifer,
You are my hero! You did what I only wish I had the guts to do after I was fired this July. I’d put in 3 years of hard work – slaving away days and nights, sometimes working over 16hours in a day (which I just found out is illegal). I was the first and third shift. It took a new insecure supervisor 6 months to get me out of the place. He was insecure because I knew more than he did and was to train him on everything. We had an ego clash and one of my peers told me to suck up to him, which I refused to do. He was in good books with the General Manager and I think it worked in his favor that he is a white male and I am an African woman. In 6 months I went from being an exemplary, hardworking employer to one whose job was all of a sudden unsatisfactory. Case in point; my last review as of March this year, I was graded a 4/5 perhaps because my former supervisor who is now in a different department did most of the review. Now I am jobless and the unemployment stats are not encouraging. I am supporting my mom and brother, which is hard to do on an unemployment check. Oh did I mention that the company is challenging the fact that I am receiving unemployment? This has me so worried and sleepless nights (its 3am as I type this) are now routine. And to think this is supposedly the land of milk and honey – I guess as long as you suck up to white folk? I guess. If only I had your guts ….. you are my hero …. Jennifer ….. you are .
MinneAfrican in Minneapolis // November 21, 2008 at 4:54 am
wow, this is crazy!! You don’t know how many times I have almost lost my cool at my office. Perhaps all foreigners go through this, but I really hate it when my supervisor talks down to me. I don’t mean to be elitist, but I have a Masters, and all she has is a high school diploma. Can you believe I was asked to take language classes? Look at my writing? Does it look like I need to take an ESL class? WOw…. nothing wrong with that… But sometimes people just lose it…. and I suppose Jenny the Ghanian got to that point.
@Flora above, I don’t think she has ruined her chances. She is likely to get a job with independent media because most of them know that mainstream media is full of crock… they are all about making all their staffers have one identity, be one person…. . And she def has character, and that right there is a career in media.
Keep on going, my sister!
nelimak // November 21, 2008 at 10:46 am
Yes Nekessa we are working on it.
So many great responses here. Ntang I agree with you. Look at the touching response from Jennifer’s #1 fan. The more I think about this story the odder it seems. Why was she taken in as an intern then told she was not experienced. Aren’t interns supposed to be training on the job? There’s more to this story than what’s been said.
Flora // November 21, 2008 at 11:00 am
@ Jennifer’s #1 fan, life can really be unfair sometimes especially here in America (for foreigners). Like Souffle said ‘beating things or people isnt a means to an end’ and I am glad you didn’t do something as foolish despite the urge to do so. Keep your head up, you will get a job. MinneAfrica how about that job link page?
@ MinneAfrican in Minneapolis sorry to burst your bubble, but independent media is NOT a ‘REAL’ job (at least for now). Unless you are the top dog, a job in independent media will NOT afford you a decent lifestyle. I do appreciate the diversity that independent media has brought, but mainstream media with all its ‘crock’ is where the money’s at. Jennifer I understand your frustration, but that was not a wise career move.
Ekuoa // November 21, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Dayum, she snapped! That’s a warrior right thurr! See we need more Africans like this so that we get respect. Africans are always so humble and that needs to STOP!
Koffi Annan // November 21, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Eh Jenny! You went crazy paa! C’mon Ghanaians no fight now
Koffi Annan // November 21, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Since you no find work in America come home na fight for de Army paa. I give you commander-in-chief
IBé // November 21, 2008 at 3:23 pm
I don’t know about this oh, Charle, you shouldn’t have gone off and start punching and kicking things. Dande nor do nathing but make thing dem go from the frying pot to the fire. Look, now you get police na you case.
Anyway, we got to know how to operate in this system. This system doesn’t reward anyone for losing their cool at the job. No matter the reason. All losing your cool gets you is the instant gratification, like drinking too much; the next morning you always regret it. Especially when you are Black in America. They expect you to lose your cool. They fear you. And no matter what you think about fear, it gets you nothing but distance between you and those you need. Why do you think Obama never let them get under his skin?
I think what sista should have done was gather her things, and carefully walked out of there. Then map out her next more. MN is an at-willl employment state, so employers can let you go for any reason…as long as the reason is not protected under the Equal Employee right. So if sista thought her firing was illegal, then she should have followed the proper course and sue their a$$.
As far as getting fired, it’s the risk in working for someone else. We should all expect it. No matter how nice you have it work, you don’t have tenure. If you want that, get your Ph.D and go be a professor.
Jennifer #1 fan, I feel your pain, but it is what it is. If you don’t play the game, you pay the price. I’m not suggesting we sell our soul, but sometime you got to play to your boss’ ego.
Lucas // November 22, 2008 at 11:12 am
Oh my dear Jennifer, na why u go do like so? Anyway, its a good change from the typical Ghanaian response to such things. Oh, Im fired? Well, Barbara (boss) I’d still love to be a part of your baby shower, and I’ll bring you coffee from time to time, not the work coffee, some Starbucks. Way to break the stereotype. We need to show some pride in the face of blatant discrimination. But breaking the window; OH CHALEY!!!!!
Cyril (Mr. Sankara) // November 22, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Well Ibe, after reading all you wrote, your disclaimer doesn’t hold. It seems to me that you’re in essence advocating that we sell our souls! Honestly!
@ Flora, I see maintaining a job is all that matters to you! Good There is no part in your post that suggested you even cared to know the details…real black & white thinking right there.
john makori // November 25, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Better love this girl. She’s gutsy enough to pull a stunt that most of us can only dream of. I f the boss was what I think she is; quote ‘bully’; she definitely met her match.
northernkenya // November 25, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Ibe/&Koffi. one word: Nahu kosam?(sp).
Nelima/Sankara & the rest of the sympathisers. Charle,this is what i call Mshamba(Shagsmodo?) in swahili,meaniing bushman .
You dont act like that..especially if you have a future in the industry. If she was some big shot,yes,but you are mere measly intern.
I am sure someone will find her ferocity and toughness an asset. Perhaps, Perhaps. Goodluck Jen.
Cyril (Mr. Sankara) // November 26, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Northernkenya, enough with the BS and sugar-coating, just come out and say it plain:
you think she should take s**t just because she’s black and African and should be grateful that these people even gave her the job in the first place.
You and Flora are still of the perception/impression that we need to just put on that sheepish-negro smile and walk around the place, because we’re trying just to get by.
There’s nothing about MERIT in your arguments! You think she should go a become the floor mat at that company because they’re probably taking a chance on her!
Northern Kenya // November 26, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Lol@Sugarcoating. & i think she should be a mat or such. I didnt say such a thing. I just think she should have taken other civil measures.
If Someone is harrassed, intimidated & or demeanded at the work place, they should contact HUMAN resources. It is as simple as that charlee. I am sure Kstp,just like most companies do have policies that adress these things. You dont resolve to “violence”(verbal/physical or otherwise).
Now,we are all human. Sometimes we do and act out reflex. Perhaps, Jen did indeed get harrased and or intimidated. I get that. You believe she did the right thing by resorting to “violence”(note the qoutes). I dont. I believe she should have resolved her grievances with her management, superiors and relevant authorities. At least that is how i should have done it, if i were sane . Sometimes, we are not. She should live with the consequences.
Pass my regards to Jen and i wish her the best. Jen,if you are reading this Charlee, i will still
Cyril (Mr. Sankara) // November 26, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Lol! Northernkenyan, tell me this, how many times have felt like you were receiving poor (unjust) treatment at work, just because of “who” you are?
How many of those instances do you have documentation on? How many times have you actually felt “satisfied” after talking to Human Resources? Don’t you actually emerge from the HR department feeling more confused than you first went in?
As humans, especially Africans, we endure too much and let some issues that would make a Westerner explode, slide. We let them slide most of the time just because we’re a peaceful and misunderstood people and also because the odds are stacked against us (all the time, even in our own countries!)
But becauase we’re humans, there always comes that one day that the fire within grows so big you can’t contain it anymore. Then you snap! and may God bless whoever caused it!
northernkenya // November 26, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Sankara. You may have a point there.
Unfortunately, no matter how explosive, unfair or what-have-you the situation is, one must keep his/her cool ALL the time. “Violence”, my friend has no place in modern society…
May i say, this reactionary, i-will-whoop-your azz-when i don’t get my way mantra,is by extension what is ailing Africa as a whole today.(Somalia, Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe, Liberia,et al)
Oh, nice to meet you btw.
Cyril (Mr. Sankara) // November 28, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Lol, you’re funny.
I don’t that is what is ailing Africa though. We’re a peaceful people year round. Its just frustration that sets in whenever a person is pushed to the wall, that’s all.