On the April 4th edition of MSNBC's "Imus In the Morning," Don Imus fired the shot heard 'round the world when he called the Rutger's women's basketball team "Nappy-Headed Ho's."He laughed after he said it, and if you listen very closely you can hear someone else in the background laughing. It was comedy for Imus, but little did he know it would backfire and blow up in his face. The most tragic part of this debacle is that not only is Imus to blame for his gross misconduct but the production team and MSNBC is at fault. Yes, Imus ignited the fire, but the cameramen and the production team fanned the flames.
Why didn't anyone see fit to turn off the cameras and kick Imus out of the studio right then and there? Are we so desensitized after watching countless numbers of "others" drop the N-bomb that "Nappy-Headed Ho's" seems light-hearted?
In the past few months it seems that racial slurs have become commonplace among celebrities of all stripes. It almost seems formulaic: They drop the slur bomb, apologize to the offended, and then make a visit to the god of on-camera redemption, the Rev. Al Sharpton. It is when the latter takes place that people really feel like they are being redeemed--because they are paying their respects to the man believed to be the face of Black America. Well, Rev. Sharpton's brand of showboating to keep his "press & curl" in the spotlight doesn't represent me. In other words Mr. Imus, the apology is not accepted.
You, Mr. Imus continue to apologize profusely, saying that your comment was just a joke and not meant to be racial. But you couldn't have said a more racially-charged comment. If you wanted to be funny you could have called them big girls, giraffes, or tall glasses of water. But "Nappy-Headed Ho's" is a direct shot at black women. I don't believe that you would call your wife or your daughter a "Nappy-Headed Ho," so why do these women deserve it. Does their playing basketball and being black make them so different and beyond respect?
A two week suspension is a small price to pay, Mr. Imus, and you should consider yourself lucky. Rev. Sharpton is right, we should all forgive you for your sin against us and against yourself--it is the Christian way. We shouldn't even be concerned about what type of punishment you get because there will one day be a bigger judgment for all of us.
But I have one final thought: I learned a few weeks ago that we should all learn how to redeem the time we have. Redeeming our time is about spending time doing that which is truly fruitful, and it also means spending time producing something contrary to your circumstance. Your circumstance has you in a bit of hot water Mr. Imus, but I think that there is still time for you to produce something positive. This may be the one time where being contrary might actually help you out.
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I am actually glad that Mr. Imus so obviously showed all of us that there is hurtful thinking that causes separation, and it is right and a blessing that all of us get to look at ourselves in light of such a very prejudiced 'jojke', inculturated in white male training, both in the need to depreciate black women, and women in general. I feel the hurt of it as a white woman and for my black sisters. . IF we can come to a place of uncovering and looking at ourselves from voices such as these, then we will become more than we are. May I look to my ownself to uncover what is not true. blessings and peace.>
A certain group of people are always looking for something to cause problems and whine about, as if they have always been the underdogs. Give me a break...being treated bad is evenly shared..not just one races problem! Just look at all the problems pointing fingers does! This is the real world..you hear way worse on TV all the time...grow up and leave the guy alone...those girls probly call each other worse than what he said...geez..whats the world comin to when they want to put you in jail for talking! Who here is innocent of prejudice and judgement and name calling? Who here doesnt think they deserve better? Who here then, can cast the first stone?
If the public is so offended by the statments made by him, and I find them unacceptable for any person heard by others, then continue the uproar and subject ALL people who are heard by others being so crass, vile, and filthy: such as the rappers filthy words about womanhood.If people would not buy filth, then it would go away. How can anyone with any respect for mankind and womanhood accept what is being played on the radio, tv? I refuse to listen to filth, refuse to watch trash on the tv, and try to conduct my own actions with respect to others. A person who allows such language to be around them demeans humanity.Why hasn't there been an uproar for the so called music with filth in it, and the tv programs that allow lust, bigamy, sleeping with any and all people to be shown on primetime? It looks like it is the acceptable behaviour if it is shown while children are exposed. Wonder why the kids today have such low opinions of others, when what they are exposed to on a daily basis is allowed? What happened to having respect for yourself and not accepting the unacceptable?
Unless this columnist and/or others on this thread and elsewhere are members of the Rutgers Women's Basketball team, it is not our business to either or accept or reject Imus's apology to them. We have no business speaking for them or weighing in on an issue that had nothing to do with us and did not effect us in any way (unless you had a child accidentally listening that day).
The reality of the world that we live in - is that some people say what many people are thinking - and they get into trouble for it. I think that more people should say what they think whether they are "joking" or not - rather than live in a world without freedom of speech and where everyone is keeping their true feelings secret in order not to be judged.Sure people's feelings will get hurt - but you know what - everyone has the right to say what they want. Racism might be illegal in most countries - and in some simply a social faux paux - but it's the biggest elephant in the room that everyone wants to pretend isn't there. I have been in the company of white people who have the highest esteem for some of their fellow black colleagues - in public. In private - the racist comments and jokes come out. These same white people donate to AIDS charities for black babies in Africa - yet make comments such as "Once a nigger, always a nigger" - I've heard it. I've heard black people say that whites will never change - whites have no taste, white people have no rhythm etc etc ad nauseum. The world we live in a racist, xenophobic, culturally biased and most of all hypocritical. The majority of people that have criticised Imus and the Rappers are closet bigots who want to perpetrate to be all high and mighty. Give me a break. I am black and even I am racist at times such as when crimes occur - I always assume it's a black person. Is this wrong ? Yes. Do I care ? Not at the time. Do I feel guilty ? Yes. Would I apologise ? Yes. Do I still do it the next time it happens ? Yes. Freedom of speech is slowly dissipating. As they say - I'm not a bigot, I hate everyone equally !
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