Letters to the Editor
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Why not
He's made career being an offensive arrogant asshole. Finally he got called out on the only group in the US you're not allowed to talk about. Sorry but that's true. So if Black people have to do the heavy lifting on this one, fine.
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But what about Imus's enablers?
A firing offense? Ordinarily Imus's extraordinary remark would be, but since he's gotten away with so many similar remarks before without any consequences, perhaps in the interest of "fair play" he should get a warning this time. Perhaps we should be asking instead how he's managed to get away with that crap for so long...
What really IS baffling, though, is how dense some white men can be, when they continue to think it is funny-- not to mention "acceptable"-- if they make someone currently below them on the food chain the butt of a tasteless joke. (Reminds me of Republican humor.) They just don't seem to get it, and seeing what happens to others in the public sphere who have done the same thing, surprisingly, seems to have little effect. Still, Imus's remark was not that big a surprise.
Actually, what was most surprising to me about this story, since I do not listen to Imus-- he's not to my taste-- is how his show seems to be some kind of refuge for a posse of elite politicians and pundits.
I followed and read the links to the New York Times' and Media Matters' stories... and behold! Who was more or less defending Imus... but his "constituency," consisting, no less, of such "respected journalists" as Tom Oliphant, Howard Fineman, and Jeff Greenfield, among others. Oh, and possibly Tim! And what do they all have in common? Yep, they're all white guys.
Now THAT astounded me! The Imus crack was NOT a surprise, given his history to-date, but that he has this whole crew of apologists-- enablers if you will-- who comprise that elite posse of politicians and pundits, THAT was news to me. But it shouldn't have been, since they're they're all white guys... and apparently a bit tone-deaf when it comes to tasteless jokes about gender and/or race.
So, how come no one is talking about that?
And, no, it wasn't just a racist remark; it was also sexist. Too bad that Sharpton didn't call him on that while he was at it.
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THICK SKINS
Yes, Imus was tasteless, juvenile, insulting. Yes, describing a black person as nappy headed has a loaded racial history and is offensive. But it's fratboy stuff, cheap physical humor, 'Polish Joke' yucks. A 30 second throw away segment to keep commuters awake as they dodge trucks on the Jersey Turnpike. I must have heard equally crass repartee on the Imus show 100 times before. (I admit it's pathetic that I find the irreverence amusing day after day.)
Should he be fired?? Is he a racist?? Father Coughlin??? A hate filled creep?
Come on folks. Black people have thicker skins than that. The 'deeply offended' self-righteous posturing of the PC police and their subscribers is so predictable and tiresome. How sad that Imus had to kiss the ring of Al Sharpton. Tell the rabble he doesn't hate black people, that he's really a good guy.
For a rich, self-involved, immature jerk with questionable taste in music, Imus is probably not so bad, no worse than the rest of us, including Al Sharpton.
BUGLEBOY
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He has a right to say whatever he wants...
...and everyone who is offended by his statements has the right to ignore him and indicate to station managers, major advertisers and networks that they will have nothing to do with him.
You can sign a petition to register your feelings to MSNBC here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/34628ppp/petition.html
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Karen M - enabling is all around you
Sounds like you are describing the sexist, derogatory statements college women make about men in Women's Studies departments all over the country.
White men are not the bogeymen you are making them out to be in your post.
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Nappy headed chickenhead ho's
Broke ass motherfuckers. They look like a pack of crackheads chasing a quarter down the street.
There you happy now?
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Imus has always been this way
I've listened to Imus once in a while, and though the comments he made about the Rutgers' team were inexcusable, he's made more then a few "objectionable" remarks about other people at times that should have been outed at that time.
That it has taken so long for his mouth to get him into real trouble is surprising-it was eventual, though. He's too full of himself to not think he could get away with it forever. Maybe he'll learn the lesson this time: Don't denigrate other people for the sake of a very cheap and tasteless (not to mention stupid) joke.
BTW, how come his producer isn't listed as part of the problem? He was responsible for the start of the "dialogue" with his "nappy headed" comment.
There could be a fine, though, from the FCC for this "joke"...perhaps he should talk to Howard Stern about that problem.
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Not an isolated incident
"Should the addlepated radio host lose his job because he called the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos"?"
No, he should be fired because this is merely the latest in a long pattern of racist remarks and stunts on his program. To discuss this incident in a vaccuum, as though it isn't one of many similar slurs, is irresponsible. He is a serial offender. So where does it stop?
Also: The First Amendment applies to the government, not to private businesses. MSNBC decides what to put on the air and whether to sanction the program of a serial racist. They can air KKK meetings if they like. And we have the right to demand they stop and to contact their sponsors and complain and bitch and moan. This is not a First Amendment issue. It is an issue whether MSNBC will continue airing Imus and his racism.
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WHo are his sponsors, by the way?
If MSNBC and the sponsors get enough letters, he WILL be fired.
Where's a list? National Association of Black Journalists (NOW is pretty late for this one) has been putting his feet to the fire for a while. DO they have one out?
Unlike Al Sharpton, I don't feel like forgiving him. Al Sharpton doesn't speak or forgive for this black woman. He's pulled this before.
Opie and Andy and Co. have all been firesd for stunts that went past good sense (anyone remember the reward some fool shock jock put out to encourage people to have sex behind the altar at a major Cathedral? No one sat around going "should they be fired". That was summary and unquestioned.)
There's one thing that teaches guys like him respect. It's a hit in the only color he respects: GREEN.