MSNBC Fires Don Imus Over Racial Slur, Why The Outrage?
The water just keeps getting hotter for shamed radio DJ Don Imus. For those who don’t know, during’ Imus simulcast show last week he said some derogatory remarks about the Rutgers Women’s Basketball Team. What compelled him to utter “nappy-headed hos” about a group of stellar, hard working women athletes is beyond me. But now he’s paying the price, and how. MSNBC released this statement to TMZ:
“Effective immediately, MSNBC will no longer simulcast the “Imus in the Morning” radio program. This decision comes as a result of an ongoing review process, which initially included the announcement of a suspension. It also takes into account many conversations with our own employees. What matters to us most is that the men and women of NBC Universal have confidence in the values we have set for this company. This is the only decision that makes that possible. Once again, we apologize to the women of the Rutgers basketball team and to our viewers. We deeply regret the pain this incident has caused.”
This comes on the heels of several negative repercussions leveled at Imus, including his wife being forced to cancel her book tour for her environmentally focused book called Green This! Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning, and two major TV appearances: “The Martha Stewart Show” and “The View.” Imus has also had major advertising pulled from his CBS and MSNBC show, as well as a two-week suspension from both - well until he was cancelled altogether from MSNBC.
Sheesh! I don’t even think Mel Gibson or Michael Richards’ mellow’s were harshed that badly. Why the extreme reaction? According to “Opie and Anthony,” yet another shockjock show (based in NY) they are firmly behind Imus’ right to free speech, and see this as a major blow to anyone hoping to have a “comedy-based” show in radio, where talking ‘off the cuff’ (as they call it) can cost you your job. And rival Howard Stern, well, he spent his satellite time basking the glory of watching his arch-nemesis go down in flames - shocker!
But why is this such a big deal?
The answer is simple: context. Imus had ZERO context for using such a racially charged and degrading remark about women, let alone African-American women who are in essence, living their dream to the fullest. Back in the 90’s I worked for a major women’s college basketball team and the competition to get into a school at the level of Rutgers, let alone the upper echalon’s like UConn and Tennessee is fierce. These women are pursued for years. Scouted as young as 6th grade through summer AAU camps. These aren’t “nappy-headed ho’s” these are high caliber females who must not only show tremendous prowess on the court, but present the whole package: good grades, well-rounded curriculum and families who are supporting their efforts from the cradle on.
Had Imus called say, Foxy Brown, a “nappy-headed ho” he might have been met with gasps, tongue-clucking and finger-waving, but the fallout would have been nil. You can get away with calling someone who conducts themselves in the manner of a ho, a ho (no offense Foxy, but come on) but you CANNOT get away with calling highly revered, exemplary people who have done NOTHING to bring on such insults, these kinds of names without getting yourself skewered alive.
Off the cuff is one thing – blatantly hateful racial slurs without even the slightest hint off reality – is quite another. Imus, maybe it’s high time you retire, make amends and apologize to your wife.
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This is such a load of crap.
On a radio show today, hey were reading the top Rap lyrics on the charts. Every one was a lot worse than Imus’s (really stupid) comment.
That whole ‘we can say it about ourselves’ argument is crap too.
Since when is freedom of speech determined by race.
Comment by Danno — April 11, 2007 @ 9:19 pm
MAYBE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF AN END, TO ALL OF THIS NONSENSE THAT IS BEING IRREGULARLY USED ON TV AND RADIO SHOWS. NOW IF THE FCC ENFORCE THEIR OLD RULES. NOBODY WOULD BE USING THIS INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE AT ALL.
ONCE UPON A TIME, THE ONLY WORD YOU COULD USE WAS ‘DAMN’ ON TV SHOWS. CAUSE THAT IS AN REGULAR VOCABULARIC WORD. BUT ALL THAT CUSSING WAS ABSOLUTELY OUT OF THE QUESTION, OR DISRESPECTFUL REMARKS AGAINST FEMALES.YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? IT WAS NONE OF THAT. OTHERWISE, THEY GOT FIRED. THEREFORE, YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.
Comment by Rodney Melton — April 11, 2007 @ 9:28 pm
Hi,
I’ve never posted here before. I found this entry from google news.
This is a good post, but really the entire issue doesn’t have anything to do with free speech. Somehow people decide that because they’re given the right to free speech by the Constitution, that they’re magically protected from the consequences of that speech. Nothing could be further from the truth.
So when people commenting on this start talking about supporting Imus’s right to free speech, my first reaction is to think that they’re defending racism, because Imus’s right to free speech isn’t under attack! When he’s locked up because he used a racial slur, then it’s time to start defending his right to free speech. Until then, the prudent move is to condemn his racism and cheer any and all efforts to prevent him from spreading it.
Comment by Dan Olson — April 11, 2007 @ 10:25 pm
Don Imus’ comment crossed the line, however, dont attack comedy and rap for their loose use of racial slurs and politically incorrect use of language. The difference between those things and imus’ comment is simple, his comment was purely and intentionally racial. it was more of an attack than anything, as far as the FCC regulating racial slurs. UP YOURS!
Comment by Ron Dakoti — April 11, 2007 @ 10:53 pm
Reverend Al “Tawana Brawley” Sharpton and Jesse “Hymietown” Jackson do not have the moral authority to tell Imus what he can and cannot say on TV or the radio.
I’m sorry, but I didn’t realize that the word “nappy” was a racist term. He was referring to the fact that the Rutgers team looked tough and butchy, with more tattoos among them than the Raptors.
Is it a snide comment? Yes. Is it obnoxious? Is it sexist? Yes. Is it in bad taste? Most morning radio is not for high brows.
But, don’t give me the racist baloney. We are turning into a country of wimps. Black culture, like it or not, has an impact on the language used by people of all races. Whether we are talking about our “bling”, saying “my bad” when we bump into somebody, or saying “word up” to a friend in passing. Black musical artists are very popular with people of all races, and the misogynistic words such as calling women “hos” comes from that.
It is scary how much Al Sharpton looks like Joseph McCarthy in the photos of him interviewing Don Imus on his show. He has too much power for the low life, race-baiting scum that he is. He doesn’t want justice. He has an appetite for destruction.
I take comfort in the fact that justice always prevails in the end.
Imus, I’m a bit young for your audience, but I promise I will support any of your future endeavors.
Comment by Jason Rosenberg — April 11, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
This is bullshit. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are both hypocrites that have two sets of rules, one for blacks and one for whites. Both have made derogatory remarks about whites in the past about whites ranging from politicians to athletes. But nothing comes of it because they are BLACK and they are untouchable because lordy lordy the white man has to pay for his sins still against the black man. I hope both fucking enjoy rotting in nothingness. Imus will resurface, and they won’t be able to do a damn fucking thing about it next time.
Comment by Steve From Yellowstone — April 11, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
1. nappyhead
a term used to describe someone (typically of African descent) who possesses tighly coiled, very curly hair.
Though often used as a slur, insult, or indicator of self-loathing the term is often used to express an individual’s self-love, individuality, uniqueness and beauty.
Yes, I am a nappyhead. Yes, I am beautiful.
2. nappyhead
An African or African American or anyone of African descent who wears that hair natural and has one of the many textures of woolly-like (nappy) hair.
I have since become a ‘nappyhead’ because I decided to stop relaxing and using chemicals and decided to let my ‘nappy’ hair shine it’s all god-given glory.
Comment by Terance — April 11, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
THE POINT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MISSSING IS THAT JUST BEACAUSE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH DOES NOT MAKE YOUR SPEECH RIGHT. BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT GIVEN RESPECT IT IS EARNED OR DEMANDED! ONE THING WE MUST DO IS STOP TRYING TO DO IS MAKE EXCUES FOR WHEN A PERSON FUCKS UPS AND MAKE THEM PAY FOR ANY ALL ACTION THEY CHOOSE TO MAKE. IT WAS HIS CHOICE TO MAKE THOSE COMMENTS, HE WAS NOT PROVOKED BY ANY MEANS. IT IS HORRIFYING THAT IT IS NOW 2007 AND RACISM STILL EXIST… I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A PERSON BEING RACIST AGAINST A WHITE PERSON UNLESS IT WAS PROVOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by SUNSHINE — April 12, 2007 @ 12:03 am
Black people need to respect themselves before they are respected by others.
This means:
1) Stop using words in music that shouldn’t be used to describe people, regardless of who is saying it
2) For God’s sake, stop killing each other.
Maybe whitey isn’t the cause of your problems. Maybe the problem is with the person in the mirror.
I am a white Jewish guy. I’ve dealt with plenty of racism from black people. Still, I don’t whine about it. I got over it. My grandparents were slaves in Auschwitz concentration camp. They got over it.
Don’t get stuck in the past. YOU can do anything you WANT to do. Stop blaming whitey for your problems. Whitey is too busy attacking the rest of the world to be concerned about keeping you down.
Comment by Jason Rosenberg — April 12, 2007 @ 12:20 am
you are sadly mistaken if you believe that the state of Black America in this country is not a product of the residual effects of institutional racism in this country.
BTW…I wouldn’t have so much of a problem w/ Imus if he apologized to the team personally when all of this happened but he didn’t, and that is reprehensible. Let’s not forget that beyond the racism and sexism issue he ruined these girls’ moment to shine for their tremendous accomplishments. Frankly, he shouldn’t have said what he said, and now he’s paying the price. Do I think people are being a little harsh…yes, but he brought it on himself. None of this would have happened if he was a little more careful about his comments.
Comment by Hello World — April 12, 2007 @ 1:09 am
I think MSNBC and mainstream media like them are wimps and not a bit loyal to their employees! Why can’t America get REAL?? Who doesn’t believe for a second that these gals (Rutger’s team)will be snapping towels at each other in the locker room now and laughingly calling each other “nappy-headed ho’s”?
Does anyone truly think that Imus meant the remarks literally?Of course not.He’s just an old,whitebread “cracker” that probably doesn’t even realize he isn’t as “hip” or funny as he tried to sound.I have watched many black comedians and I listen to many rappers (in my line of work) and they say MUCH worse about their own all the time!Imus didn’t pull that phrase oout of his butt…get REAL MSNBC!I agree with Bill Maher on this one….when you apologize “over and over and it’s still not accepted, then it’s on them”.In other words..”Nigga, PUL–LEEZE!” Chris Rock, Chris Tucker and many others use the term and far worse just for laughs and Don Imus’ A.M. show is only a comedy/talk show…what ever DID happen to free speech? And to people’s sense of humor and tolerance? I am sick and tired of fake outrage and particularly Al Sharpton’s “outrage”..what a joke HE is!That’s my “rant”…PEACE~OUT!
Comment by Rose Haddix — April 12, 2007 @ 1:53 am
This incident and the Duke case both have instilled an anger in me that I hate to say is racist. Black America is screwed up! Where’s Bill Cosby? He’s the only one I trust anymore.
Comment by Johnny Lee Steele — April 12, 2007 @ 5:29 am
This is so over the top. It wasn’t said in anger. This is what he does. He pokes fun and makes remarks about everything and everyone regardless of who it is.
It could be Jay Leno, The Queen of England, President Bush, The Duke Lacross boys, Bernard, Greta,
How about making a commitment to never play, have on an interview or produce one more cd that says one thing about hos, Why is that Ok? Why is it ok that
a 10 year old can go and buy or watch on TV a singer
that says way worse than anything that was said on Don Imus show.
Comment by Deborah — April 12, 2007 @ 5:59 am
Sorry,people,this is what racism does. So maybe he shouldn’t be fired for free speech,but until we get over this obsession with skin color,nothing is fair!
Comment by Star Jones Reynolds — April 12, 2007 @ 6:46 am
One word hypocrites.
Any one who thinks Imus should have a 40 year career destroyed over a joke is an f-ing moron.
There are many many more important things to worry about today.
Get over it. It was an f-ing joke on a morning talk radio show. What the hell is wrong with this bitch of a cuntry lately?
Is everyone losing there friggin minds?
Comment by jack london — April 12, 2007 @ 7:17 am
After spending years in therapy because I saw Janet Jackson’s tit during the Super Bowl half-time show, I am keenly sypathetic to how the B-Ball team women at Rutgers must feel… probably the same as the Duke Lacrosse team felt after having their lives altered by a woman who might better fit the Don Imus slur.
Word to Imus: I listened to you on radio 45 years ago. It’s come time to hang up your cowboy hat, and get a haircut. Nobody wants to see you anymore, and it’s not so much about what you said, it’s just that you have become a silly looking seventy-year-old newsman/comedian doing a radio show on TV.
Word to Rutger’s Women’s B-Ball Team: Don’t give Imus the power. Harsh, insensitive words for sure, but the sooner you get over an inappropriate comment the better prepared you will be for real life. I understand that one student is going to be a lawyer, which is great, but if the Imus comment is going to throw you out of whack forever, my advise is to choose another profession.
In other news: Anna Nicole Smith….
Comment by Barry — April 12, 2007 @ 7:27 am
There are 135,000 of our young army hero’s (of all races), in Irag this morning putting their lives on the line for the purpose of keeping the shores of our homeland free from the terrorism that is still lurking in this country. They have and are keeping the car-bombs and other atrocities on the soil of the muslims, who invented this type war and who, by the way…attacked us. As long as the muslim financial resorces are eaten up with war and attacks there, they can’t be used here.
Imus is an entertainer that is oft times rude,filthy mouthed and just generally obnoxtious. Although at times (a-lot of the time,) brilliant. I think I remember hearing this said about ole’ Richard Pryor and ole’ Redd Fox. Racism played a role in all their acts. Everybody that tuned Imus in every morning knew what to expect. Everyone that paid a cover charge to see Fox knew what to expect and the same is true with Pryor. We still have freedom in this country, black and white. If you don’t like the man’s stuff turn it off or just never turn it on. Don’t forget what our troups are really fighting for. It’s our Freedom.
Comment by Shirley Lee — April 12, 2007 @ 7:27 am
Now that the perfect powers that be have taken Imus down I believe they should force Big Al and Just Jesse to go to the young men from Duke University and get down on their knees and request forgiveness for their unjust remarks about these fine athletes. At least the young ladies at Rutgers retain their good names. What about these young men! We can never have a world without racial tension until those who cry Racist include ALL races, not just the dark people among us.
Comment by Cinda Lou — April 12, 2007 @ 7:45 am
THANKS TO THE INTERNET, strong and the mighty are now accountable. A derogatory remark which, at one time was easily defended as off-the-cuff remark with no possiblity of ever getting scrutinized much, now gets played over and over again; may we say gets magnified in the lense of internet.
For us, the ordinary people, internet is the strongest weapon. Once again pen (keyboard) is mightier than sword (money). It can help tilt the balance in the government!
Comment by Harry — April 12, 2007 @ 8:54 am
Fuck Al Sharpton and fuck Jesse Jackson. I cannot believe that America gives these two idiots the time of day. They immediately bring the intelligence of any conversation way down as soon as they open their racist mouths.
Comment by Ramone — April 12, 2007 @ 8:59 am
I’ve been a listener of Don Imus since the early 70’s. Imus has ALWAYS been known for his brash, off-the-cuff style of humor, and his listeners all accept it because they consider him a combination satirist, a comedian, and on the flip side… a renowned philanthropist who has helped people of ALL races and religions for nearly 20 years. What he said about the Rutgers team was flat out wrong, and he’ll do his best to try and mend that fence without the interference of opportunists like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Jesus said… “Let him among you who have not sinned cast the first stone.” Perhaps Al and Jesse should take a long, hard look in the mirror.
If America wants to censor degrading language, perhaps we should force record companies to immediately destroy all music media that has any racial or derogatory stereotypical reference to ANY ethic group or gender, and not allow any artist of such music to perform in public. But we all know that won’t happen, and while I’m not a fan of that kind of music, I support the artist’s rights to perform.
Don Imus has made millions as a controversial radio personality. He probably doesn’t even need to work, but the truth of the matter is that once he makes amends with the Rutgers team, FOX will probably be knocking on his door to pick up the rights to simulcast his radio show in a heartbeat. And if CBS is stupid enough to fire him, Don Imus will be picked up by another radio station or wind up on satellite radio just like Howard Stern.
The unprecedented $upport for his SIDS Radio-thon today just proves that many, many people and major corporations believe in and support Don Imus even with his flaws. Any of them could make independent contributions outside of the event but they chose to make a statement.
Comment by Doctor G — April 12, 2007 @ 9:02 am
Ok black people, wake up and smell the coffee. OMG I done went and said something bad. Coffee is black.
This is a two way street, we whites have feelings too. If the situation were reversed and a black personality had insulted a white person, nothing would have been said. This a two way street,quit making negative remarks about us.
Comment by ellis blevins — April 12, 2007 @ 9:26 am
Blacks have consistently bashed each other through rap lyrics calling each the most horrible things and now get upset when other people do it. However, Issiah Washington can use racial slurs and yet nothing happens to him. Double standards hard at work!!!
Comment by Get real — April 12, 2007 @ 9:35 am
I feel sorry for White people,I feel sorry for the Negro, I feel sorry for Women, I feel sorry for Indians, I feel sorry for Mexicans, Why? Because now everyone has to friggen tippy toe around each other. The Negro movement in this country has managed to complete reverse Mr. King’s start and now they are right back where they started in 1960. We have distroyed our military with this krap. There won’t be anyone left to stand on the wall after it is all over.
Comment by Breck Smith — April 12, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Imus is wrong, he should not have said it. Maybe it was just a mistake, but we pay for mistakes, good, bad or indifferent. Sorry Imus, it is time for you to go!
Comment by Robin — April 12, 2007 @ 9:59 am
White people how long do you think you all can disrespect Black people. You cannot downplay Imus remarks. The ignorance of some rappers degrading black women is not an excuse for Imus. The rapper is dead wrong for his lyrics and should also be panalized. But does that mean Imus goes unpunished for his comments. No, he should be held accountable for his actions.
Comment by Lisa — April 12, 2007 @ 10:07 am
That certainly bears repeating, but “Thrice is Enough”… also the title of a new James Bond movie.
Now I feel sad for Don. It just hit me as I remember Andy Rooney and that old jokes never die. The last time I saw Andy he was still lining up a bunch of props on his desk and wisecracking in his inimitable ways. Imus doesn’t need to be on TV like the handsome Rooney, or compete with Stern. I’m sure he will be OK no matter what hat he wears as long as it’s not a miter.
Comment by Barry — April 12, 2007 @ 10:24 am
I must respond to the frightfully naive and ignorant comments of Shirley Lee, # 19. I certainly didn’t expect to discuss the war here, but somehow she’s turned the Don Imus controversy into another justification for our unprovoked, illegal war in Iraq.
You have got to be kidding me. You actually believe that we’re fighting a war in Iraq that has resulted in the death of some 650,00 Iraqis so that fools like Imus can say rascist remarks on the public airways? Bush is flat out the worst president in American HIstory. He has never shown the slightest inclination to protect our freedoms or anyone elses. He has referred to our Constitution, the very foundation of our democracy, as “just a piece of paper” and he has treated it as such. Do you have any idea whatsoever how much money Bush’s coorporate pals are making in the war while children die by the tens of thousands? By the way, no Iraqi ever attacked the United States on 9/11. If you think we have a right to kill Iraqi children merely because a muslim flew a plane into the World Train Center then you are a sick, sick person.
Comment by Andy — April 12, 2007 @ 11:19 am
So … IMUS in the Morning is Off MSNBC … it took a week. And the war in Iraq goes on and on and on … as does autism and hazardous cleaning products and gas and oil prices and undocumented workers and outrageous health insurance costs … oh … and irrational racism. You don’t suppose it’s possible that somebody just blew up the wrong truck? Nah.
Comment by SoCooL Bob — April 12, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Holy Crap. That’s what nappy head means? I’ve been calling my wife a nappy-head ho for years. But that’s because she sleeps too much. I hope she won’t get mentally scarred for life now. Bah. I’m Canadian so I guess I can get away with it.
Hypocrisy pays the rent now.
Comment by the commentator — April 12, 2007 @ 11:34 am
This total B.S.! Only in America can there be such a double standard. On one hand you have the rantings and clearly racist lyrics in music aimed at our youth is fine and condoned, even though they talk of society overthrow, killing cops, gang banging, drug use etc. You even have Al Sharpton the killer and Jesse Jackson the adulterer. Imus said things that were not called for but that is what his job is! Get over it! move on! You people at NBC are a bunch of panty waists! The small % of minorities making a big deal of this are the problem! they love to cast stones but fail to look inward upon themselves. Even Oprah is getting involved, oh but what a surprise!
Comment by Walter Harrold — April 12, 2007 @ 11:49 am
think about this..what Don Imus said is no worst them what the black comic’s say about whites..if a black comic rips on white folks then its funny,if a white comic/shockjock..etc rips on black folks then its a “Racial slur”
.. so GODDAMN much for us all being Equal eh?
Comment by Jeff Hubbard — April 12, 2007 @ 11:58 am
Many blacks in the U.S.A.are nothing but dead weight,who ruin neighborhoods,constantly gang up on Caucasians,destroy schools,rape white women and waste time chasing Don Imus for no reason.
Sit thru any black comedy club act and all they do is belittle Whites.
Why is Imus being haunted?The Negro has a deep seated inferiority complex,for good reason.
The black people whom I know are trying to build and help this country.The ones I read about should go to Liberia. D.F.M.
Comment by Dan Maloney — April 12, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
When you look at the posts, it’s painfully clear that many White Americans are either in denial, or are truly blind. They obviously have no idea or are in denial about race in this Country. Most of the posts to this point are all excuses for why Imus’ comment is acceptable, and this post string should be clear to Black Americans how we are truly viewed in this Country. While progress has been made over the past 440 years, we have also slid backwards as some White Americans pretend that there is no racial problem in the United States. Keep this in mind when in line at a retailer for service or on the next job interview, either for a new job or promotion - or most painfully, the next Black American who receives a harsh conviction compared to his two White counterparts for the same alleged crime.
Comment by Gil — April 12, 2007 @ 12:16 pm
Talk about freedom of speech is silly. There isn’t any freedom of speech. The only “freedom of speech” is the freedom to say what is politically correct (not taboo)for any given person at the time. It has always been this way.
Fifty years ago there was no mention of sexual matters on public airways. That was taboo. Now we are bombarded with ads and information about erectile dysfunction, condoms,(colored, flavored, lubricated or plain), anal and vaginal intercourse, oral sex, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, menstrual cramps, tampons, feminine napkins - just about everything.
We have new taboos and things are more complex. Now, racial and gender remarks are taboo for some. Certain words are forbidden to a large part of the population. These include the “B” word, the “N” word and the “C” word to refer to only a few. Don Imus is being raked over the coals for using the “H” word. (I am afraid to write them here!) Interestingly, though, some people are empowered to commonly use “taboo” words - including all of the above - as well as the formerly supertaboo “F” word all the time, even as terms of endearment. As the late Kurt Vonnegut would have said, “So it goes.”
Comment by Jsens — April 12, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
if u agree with don, kill yoself!! http://www.myspace.com/moufakalargetalk
Comment by moufpiece — April 12, 2007 @ 12:32 pm
WHY can’t we ease up on the race bandwagon!?!?! 98% of EVERY person of EVERY color in this country has said and done things against another race, ethnicity, color, gender, etc. The difference is that it is done behind the scenes or unbeknownst to the targeted group. What comics do is put all of that stuff out in the open and make light of it. Comics NEVER make stuff up. They repeat and reenact what they have seen. heard, and lived. Right or wrong, that is what comedy is. When you can laugh at yourself, it makes the rest of the world an easier place to live. Granted, the Rutgers women was a horrible group to target, but it was nontheless, NOT racist. 95% of EVERYBODY’S comedy has racial tones in it. COMEDY. End all of it if you don’t like the language.
Comment by Nick — April 12, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
Don Imus is just a little too old to be making school yard taunts,don’t cha’ think? This was not a joke-he’s been saying these sorts of things for a loooonnnngggg time now,his number finally came up! If I kept repeatedly calling people names at my advanced age,I hope someone would shut me up! Forget about Don Imus-time to move on to new faces and people with less ‘antiquated’ thoughts. Next!
Comment by Oh Dear — April 12, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
The cost to Imus - $3.33 million per word per year! His contract was for $50 million for five years.
Imagine if/when OBama becomes president. If you think the Imus issue is something wait until half the country is fired for questioning the commander-in-chief, including blacks who speak out because he’s not of African-American decent.
Comment by Barry — April 12, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
The “context” point is the crux of the whole matter.
Well said.
Comment by Clavos — April 12, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
This story is such bull. Black people make fun of and talk bad about white people on radio shows and otherwise all of the time, but when a white person says something about them its the end of the world. Everyone needs to get over themselves and get over the b.s. and black people need to stop thinking the world revolves around them, and white people need to stop walking on eggshells around black people.
Comment by Samantha — April 12, 2007 @ 4:13 pm
As a black woman I was offended by Imus comments and I’m not sorry to see him go. But what gets me about this is that white people seem to be upset that they don’t have the right to call black women “nappy headed hos” like rappers. Since when did two wrongs make a right? If I called you a cracker in response to you calling me a nigger would that make me right? I would feel sorry for white people if it wasn’t for the fact that they seem to be more upset with not being able to get away with racial slurs than actually argueing that no one should say it. Instead of protesting that no one say words like Nigger and Ho you’ve decided to whine like 5 year olds and say “how come you can say it and I can’t”. Give me a break. I’m so sick of white people and their pathtic cries about “reverse racism”. No such thing for you sorry. You have and probably never will have the laws, policies, and attitudes in this country work against you and not for you. And don’t even think of crying about affirmative action because everybody knows but white people won’t admit but that policy benefits white women more than it ever helped me.
Comment by wendy — April 12, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
[…] doesn’t make what Imus said right, in fact it was wrong, for the very reasons I have already stated. But I would like to have the right reserved that if I think an individual is behaving in a manner […]
Pingback by GlossLip » Don Imus Done In Radio, But Does That Mean I Can’t Rap About Jay Z’s N*ggas and Hos? — April 12, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
In response to Wendy’s question, “If I called you a cracker in response to you calling me a nigger would that make me right?” The answer from this white woman is “yes.” If I called you the n word, you would have every right to insult me back. Would it be polite of you or me to say those words? No. Should such language be encouraged? No. But should we both have the right to say it? Absolutely. The person who says something offensive should be told they’re out of line. If they don’t apologize, they should be taken down a peg, but not fired, at least not in this context. Don Imus is a radio host and part of his job is to be an entertainer. Entertainers throw insults to be funny, and sometimes the jokes bomb. This one sure did, because no one, except him, thought it was funny. Everyone thinks he insulted young women who didn’t deserve it, but I don’t think he deserves to be fired for it–not when he says it as a radio host. If the context were different, I’d have a different attitude. Let’s say he had a black administrative assistant, and he said to her, “You look like a nappy headed ‘ho” and he habitually made derogatory statements about her that made her uncomfortable. Then he’d deserve getting fired for harassment. If everyone were fired for making a comment that offended someone, we’d all be unemployed, regardless of race, creed, or color.
Comment by Mary S — April 12, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
Lets get real, the truth is that the black community are a bunch of hypocrites, they go around calling each other the N word all the time, treat some of their woman like crap I hear, and see it constantly on TV in person what gives? Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson are trying to create a divide to keep their images alive, at the exspense of the black and white communities, fact they have said some very racist things, and they are still on the Air, and the black community turned a blind eye, they only care about their own race,the black community are so insecure about themselves they will only go after the white man when ever they can, because they are going to keep this slave thing around for as alongs as they can, but if they only knew the truth behind slavery, but when you find out the truth you will not like to know their own kind sold them off to the rest of the world, go after the tribes that sold you, because your people are the decendants of concoured tribes, it was either this are ge killed are get raped daily look it up is all their in black and white,it is in the history books and if you really want to know the truth go their once,you will want to go back to what other country you came from and the other countries where your families payed the price for you to be where you are now, let me tell you I only deal in facts nothing hear that was said is a lie, know your history before you try to blame people that are not even around any more. I have a degree in history if you want to know about the truth of black history tell the whole truth, walk the young black boys and girls through the history, show them the real truth on what happened 200 years ago, tell the full story about whites helping young black men and women out of slavery even at the cost of their own lives, do not ever let someone tell you how to feel, know the truth before you open your mouth. Do not tell me oh, you are wrong why is it that black people support the rap music that says alot worse things than a radio host, but it is ok because they are black, so if you are black and you listen to that RAP Music you are a hypocrite, because you are saying it ok for you to say this because it sounds cool, and do not give me that, oh this is are culture this is reality so not showing respect for other people is a part of the culture then you guys have a long ways to go, look in the mirror I grew up poor, I was the minority but I respected everyone else I did not go around and exspect someone owes me something, you owe to yourself to do something and do not say you can’t because you are liars, being a minority has its privleges, all is you have to do is do somewhat good in school,and the doors open,their is alot of scholarships out their to put you through school and make something out of yourself, and if you do not believe me google minority scholarships, and you will see the light, are unless you are so lazy than you are going to believe what some uneducated thug is tell you than you are alost soul with no voice you are aslav in your own world because fact of the matter is misory loves company and they will drag everone around them down.Stop blaming the white man for your mistakes and take responsibility for what you do because you will answer some day for your actions and their will be no one around to blame for your mistakes.
Comment by john smith — April 15, 2007 @ 10:43 am
If he was Black, nothing would be done. Peter.
Comment by Peter Cilione — February 26, 2008 @ 3:05 pm