Astronaut removed from mission, her brother blames racism

It's a mystery leaving some screaming “racism.” Why was Dr. Jeanette Epps booted from her assignment by NASA?

She was set to become the first African American resident on the International Space Station, but without explanation, NASA sent out a statement saying she had been pulled from the assignment and replaced. Dr. Epps, a former employee with the CIA, didn’t issue a statement or explain her booting.

Her brother wrote on Facebook before deleting the post, “My sister Dr. Jeannette Epps has been fighting against oppressive racism and misogynist in NASA and now they're holding her back and allowing a Caucasian Astronaut to take her place!”

NASA issued a statement saying, “Diversity and inclusion are integral to mission success at NASA and we have a diverse astronaut corps reflective of that approach.”

The Houston Defender carried this story and reporter for the publication ReShonda Tate is on the Factor to talk about it.