Imus Calls Rutgers Team 'Nappy-Headed Hos'

[Roxie]

watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_PNEPxYDqw
read: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17968971



Not that anyone should ever expect anything but racism or sexism from Don Imus, but this seems like a new low, even for him. In describing the Rutgers women's basketball team Imus managed to squeeze both racism and sexism into one sentence (story and video available here). Such efficiency.

He's marveling at the tatoos on some of the Rutgers plays (Gasp! Women with tatoos!), when someone off-camera calls them "some hardcore hos." Imus follows it up with, "That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm gonna tell you that now."

Yeah, Rutgers battled from a 4-seed to make it all the way to the NCAA championship game ... the best response to that is probably to belittle them for their crazy hair (it's not blonde, brown, or straight ... the nerve of these girls) and call them whores. Perfectly reasonable. ESPN should have changed their graphic to read, "TENNESSEE 59, WHORES 46."

It didn't stop there, though. Of the Tennessee players, he said, "they all look cute," before someone else off-camera says the game was a matchup of "jiggaboos vs. wannabes." Jiggaboos ... perfect. I see no reason why that should ever offend anyone.

Imus defended himself by saying that people need to relax and shouldn't worry about "some idiot comment meant to be amusing." Oh, okay. So people just need to learn that racism is funny when it comes from Don Imus? Got it. We'll get right on that.

[Kaji]

Hey, it's funny when it comes from black people, so why not?

[Roxie]

Actually, no it's not and it's not the same.

[chgu]

The hell? He said that on national television? And here I thought there was a requirement for professionalism and ethics on MSNBC...

[Black fist]

I'm probably going to Rutgers or Florida if shit turns out bad.

[Digital Masta]

The hell? He said that on national television? And here I thought there was a requirement for professionalism and ethics on MSNBC...

He's Imus...thats what he does.


Actually...I have to call my dad and ask him what he thinks about this because he's been listening to Imus for years and hasn't been offended by any of his comments, I think its because that is what Imus is on the air for...to piss people off.

I honestly don't really care...he says all kinds of crazy shit.

[RandomPasserby]

Actually, no it's not and it's not the same.
Are you saying only black people can use the word ho? Like with the "n-word"?

[Jetsetlemming]

lol?
Reminds me of a band called "nappy roots" that's on this one soundtrack CD I have. :blank:

[Soli]

I don't even know what that means. Nappy-headed? :boggled:

[Saitou Hajime]

I wonder if I'll be hearing about this in class on Monday. -_-

[Duke Luke of Juke]

I don't understand why some people have such a hard time not saying racist things. It's almost as if they have no control over there mouths what-so-ever. And you would think, when Kramer from Seinfeld is under such scrutiny for saying racist things, and the one guy from Gray's Anatomy is in trouble for saying anti-gay things, that people would be more concerned about watching what they say, and who it might offend, but apparently not.

[Roxie]

Are you saying only black people can use the word ho? Like with the "n-word"?what?:boggled:
No, I'm saying it's not funny.
I don't even know what that means. Nappy-headed? :boggled:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro_textured_hair
I don't understand why some people have such a hard time not saying racist things. It's almost as if they have no control over there mouths what-so-ever. And you would think...that people would be more concerned about watching what they say, and who it might offend, but apparently not.
Especially when on television...doing your job.

[Black fist]

I don't even know what that means. Nappy-headed? :boggled:
Is the kind of hair that black usually have where it like dry cotton.

[Roxie]

did you shove that through the back end of an online translator?

[Black fist]

No.... .........
It mostly personal experience with my hair

[RandomPasserby]

what?:boggled:
No, I'm saying it's not funny.

Oh, I thought the "It's not the same" was similar to what some people say about who can use the n-word. Sorry about that then.

[harper]

Imus and Stern and a of the other radio/tv hosts of that ilk are insensitive idiots in my opinion. I've never been able to stand Imus and this is another bit of evidence as to why.

[Angelyne]

watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_PNEPxYDqw
read: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17968971



Not that anyone should ever expect anything but racism or sexism from Don Imus, but this seems like a new low, even for him. In describing the Rutgers women's basketball team Imus managed to squeeze both racism and sexism into one sentence (story and video available here). Such efficiency.

He's marveling at the tatoos on some of the Rutgers plays (Gasp! Women with tatoos!), when someone off-camera calls them "some hardcore hos." Imus follows it up with, "That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm gonna tell you that now."

Yeah, Rutgers battled from a 4-seed to make it all the way to the NCAA championship game ... the best response to that is probably to belittle them for their crazy hair (it's not blonde, brown, or straight ... the nerve of these girls) and call them whores. Perfectly reasonable. ESPN should have changed their graphic to read, "TENNESSEE 59, WHORES 46."

It didn't stop there, though. Of the Tennessee players, he said, "they all look cute," before someone else off-camera says the game was a matchup of "jiggaboos vs. wannabes." Jiggaboos ... perfect. I see no reason why that should ever offend anyone.

Imus defended himself by saying that people need to relax and shouldn't worry about "some idiot comment meant to be amusing." Oh, okay. So people just need to learn that racism is funny when it comes from Don Imus? Got it. We'll get right on that.

According to this story, the only questionable comment that Imus actually made was the one about "nappy-headed ho." And while it's in poor taste, that's not necessarily racist. At least I don't consider the word "nappy" to be racially charged--I've had people tell me that my blond hair is "nappy", for example.

The only racist comment I see here is the "jiggaboo" comment which was made by "person off-camera".

[Digital Masta]

Apparently Bernard was referencing a Spike Lee movie or something when he said the "jiggaboo" thing.

Imus calls his own wife a "ho" of course King Idiot Al Sharpton jumps at this asking for Imus to quit...

[Saitou Hajime]

He's suspended for two weeks. (http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/09/imus/index.html)

[Plekto]

Meh. I think the guy on Democracy Now summed it up best. It was merely a test to see if the Democrats would react/how quickly they would. Politics as usual, which is why I just ignore it for the most part.

[Digital Masta]

I'm fine with the whole suspension...firing him would've been wrong. My dad and I listened to the whole interview with Al Sharpton and I really can't stand Sharpton. He has done good a lot of good but he will ALWAYS nip at people's heels to try and say another white person of being a racist.

The people that were outraged @ this clearly don't listen to his show.

The man has done so much good, more than a lot of black people with money are doing.

[Jetsetlemming]

I saw an interview with Jacky Mason about this. He was really pissed off that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are speaking out against Imus. He was talking about some event where Jesse Jackson got five people killed by starting a riot in Harlem by making a speech about white business owners shouldn't be in Harlem.

[Masa the Masta]

If you've seen this episode of Boston Legal...haha, reminds me of what Digital Masta's been talking about.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4t5QwXGi1A


Fucking Denny Crane.

EDIT:

BETTER FUCKING CLIP!!! HAHA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW72JRz0RHw&NR=1

[Digital Masta]

Denny Crane = god himself

[Masa the Masta]

I feel like Alan Shore.

Minus the feet fetish and Oedipus.

[Roxie]

I'm fine with the whole suspension...firing him would've been wrong. My dad and I listened to the whole interview with Al Sharpton and I really can't stand Sharpton. He has done good a lot of good but he will ALWAYS nip at people's heels to try and say another white person of being a racist.


The people that were outraged @ this clearly don't listen to his show.

The man has done so much good,I don't know...I didn't hear the whole show, just the last hour and Imus put his foot in his mouth pretty bad with the whole "you people" thing. SO STUPID!:frypan: all the things he said up until then seemed pretty sincere, but then he went and said that! It makes one suspcious of his real intent--that he might be disengenous (sp).

And if someone says something like Imus did, the way Imus did, it's not a huge leap to think he might be racist. Especially if you're unfamiliar with him, like most people, I'd never heard of him before and it's one hell of a way to get introduced. His radio show isn't broadcast in this state. He does look like a civil war movie extra though...

The whole "I just wasn't thinking" is extremely unsettling to me. Like one caller said, a statement like that makes the listener think perhaps the behavior is innate.
While I do think Sharpton overreacted to somethings in the interview (like the way he refused to go on Imus' show), he did make it clear that he apperciated Imus' good works and he didn't try to admonish them (at least not in the 2nd hour of the show). Sharpton also made it clear that most of his issue with the whole thing was holding the medium accountable--how no one said anything about it, like it was no big deal.


more than a lot of black people with money are doing.Woah, buddy. I'm going to need you to back that statement up with fact. Seriously. Quick and in a hurry. Like, yesterday.

[Trump]

"I wasn't thinking" ... what do you mean that is unsettling? Have you ever made a comment that you wish you could take back? That's exactly what "I wasn't thinking means". I'm not sure how that magically translates into racism. You are right, he might accidentally say something people don't appreciate, racist or not.

[Digital Masta]

I don't know...I didn't hear the whole show, just the last hour and Imus put his foot in his mouth pretty bad with the whole "you people" thing. SO STUPID!:frypan: all the things he said up until then seemed pretty sincere, but then he went and said that! It makes one suspcious of his real intent--that he might be disengenous (sp).

And if someone says something like Imus did, the way Imus did, it's not a huge leap to think he might be racist. Especially if you're unfamiliar with him, like most people, I'd never heard of him before and it's one hell of a way to get introduced. His radio show isn't broadcast in this state. He does look like a civil war movie extra though...

The whole "I just wasn't thinking" is extremely unsettling to me. Like one caller said, a statement like that makes the listener think perhaps the behavior is innate.
While I do think Sharpton overreacted to somethings in the interview (like the way he refused to go on Imus' show), he did make it clear that he apperciated Imus' good works and he didn't try to admonish them (at least not in the 2nd hour of the show). Sharpton also made it clear that most of his issue with the whole thing was holding the medium accountable--how no one said anything about it, like it was no big deal.

[/COLOR]


No he didn't put his foot in his mouth...Sharpton knew EXACTLY what Imus intended when he said "you people" but...once again Sharpton (and the Congresswoman on the phone) went to jump down his throat.

Once again...I can kind of understand feeling the way people did because they've never heard Imus's show before. BUT like black people love to do which gets me pissed off, is jump on the bandwagon and play the race card whenever we get the chance to. People didn't even know who the man was and are all like "Oh, I have never heard his show before, I have no idea who he is but FIRE HIM!"

They tried to get him on the whole "cleaning lady thing" that was part of a satire skit...the same as if you were watching Mad TV or SNL. Its the same concept.

Can you or anyone else say that you've never said anything without thinking before? You didn't really mean anything by it but it just came out? Even a radio personality can do that, we are all human.

Actually from the way Sharpton sounded I don't think cared at all about the work Imus has done and simply put about the whole thing about being accountable...Imus is holding himself responsible he never denied that. He just doesn't think he should have to resign/be fired and he's right. He's not coming out of this unscathed, he's been embarrassed...and now everyone who doesn't listen to his show will have this image of him, right or wrong whenever they see him and he's being suspended.

Also I love how Sharpton loves to speak for all black women AND the Rutgers team. Notice the team hasn't said anything since this whole thing happened.

Now if you can't tell already, I don't like Al Sharpton, the political figure, I don't know how he is behind close doors but I don't care for the political man. But this is based off what I've seen him do over the years and as such I've come to this conclusion.

Also for someone who "keeps it real" he had a total of 3 people I believe (himself included) "attacking" Imus for what he did yet the only people he had on the show to help support Imus were the random callers.

Imus simply does more good on the air than not. The one caller who was able to get donations for his cancer fundraiser was because Imus put him on the air. You take him off and the next person might not be able to do that. Sure he could probably do it off the air because he's absolutely loaded and will still have his contacts but it just comes down to this:

He's got a lot of pull, he's friends with politicans, news anchors, etc

He challenges those that come on his show, he's a well informed man, he knows whats going on and he will make sure that you know too if you come on his show. You better have your facts straight and you better back up what you say because he's going to challenge you. Because of this his listeners become informed.

If there is an important issue, Imus can get that issue out in the open. The whole thing about the hospital where the soliders who came back from Iraq to get treated and the conditions were really bad, Imus helped to get people aware of that hospital and its conditions.

The callers who defended him by talking about all the things he's done, did so because they were trying to illustrate that while yes he does say some things in the form of jest that may piss people off he does great things on his show and to lose that would be wrong.

My comment about the donating...you know...that was more me blowing off steam BUT...now I'm not talking about organizations but how many rich black people do you hear about using their money to support things like sickle cell...and the one guy on the phone during sharptons show said that his magazine had been covering sickle cell for a long time...but he said nothing about WHAT THEY ACTUALLY HAVE DONE. Imus has ACTUALLY done work towards the whole sickle cell...but you know what like I said before, it was more of me blowing off steam. There is truth to what Chris Rock once said "When white people get money they build Wal Marts...when black people get money...we buy rims"

I wished I could've called Sharpton's show and asked:

1) If they looked tough and were all white would Sharpton have the same resolve if he called them "Straight-haired hoes, or blonde haired hoes" or something like that?

2) If it was a black famous radio personality that said either "Nappy headed hoes" or "Straight haired hoes (if they were all white)" would he have the same resolve.

Because Sharpton is mainly preaching that this demoralizes that hard work that these girls did academically, athletically and demoralizes women in general so as such he should have the same resolve. However he'd probably do this:

1)If it was Imus he wouldn't really care if he said "Straight haired hoes"

2) If it was black radio personality he'd be upset but WOULD NOT call for his resignation.

[Roxie]

"I wasn't thinking" ... what do you mean that is unsettling? Have you ever made a comment that you wish you could take back? That's exactly what "I wasn't thinking means". I'm not sure how that magically translates into racism. You are right, he might accidentally say something people don't appreciate, racist or not.
Sure. Out of anger, sadness or confusion--a mental state he clearly wasn't in. Also, I wasn't on national television, doing my job, with full knowledge that my every word and movement was being recorded, broadcasted, and later would be on the internet. He was. I think that's a huge difference. You know where you are and what you're doing but you're "not thinking" when you say those things with glee? Nope, that doesn't work for me.

No he didn't put his foot in his mouth...Sharpton knew EXACTLY what Imus intended when he said "you people" but...once again Sharpton (and the Congresswoman on the phone) went to jump down his throat.
We'll have to disagree there. I think it seriously stupid for him to say that no matter what he ment. He knew what he was on the show for, I mean really, how could you not know better than to say that?

Once again...I can kind of understand feeling the way people did because they've never heard Imus's show before. BUT like black people love to do which gets me pissed off, is jump on the bandwagon and play the race card whenever we get the chance to. People didn't even know who the man was and are all like "Oh, I have never heard his show before, I have no idea who he is but FIRE HIM!"
I don't know (i haven't made up my mind about it) if it is wrong to have him fired from his show...or at least don't have him comment on basketball games anymore. I think this a case where only his future actions will change people's minds. One bad deed can wash away so many good. That's why public personalities have to be careful.

They tried to get him on the whole "cleaning lady thing" that was part of a satire skit...the same as if you were watching Mad TV or SNL. Its the same concept.
Yeah I heard that part and he was right for correcting them, but what do you mean it's the same concept? He wasn't doing a comedy skit when they were taping his comments. He was commentating! Now, whether he was trying to be funny or not, doesn't excuse him imo.

Actually from the way Sharpton sounded I don't think cared at all about the work Imus has done and simply put about the whole thing about being accountable...Imus is holding himself responsible he never denied that. He just doesn't think he should have to resign/be fired and he's right. He's not coming out of this unscathed, he's been embarrassed...and now everyone who doesn't listen to his show will have this image of him, right or wrong whenever they see him and he's being suspended.
I think he cared, but he was just too angry.


Also for someone who "keeps it real" he had a total of 3 people I believe (himself included) "attacking" Imus for what he did yet the only people he had on the show to help support Imus were the random callers.
I'm sorry I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. He had callers on both sides of the fence.


The callers who defended him by talking about all the things he's done, did so because they were trying to illustrate that while yes he does say some things in the form of jest that may piss people off he does great things on his show and to lose that would be wrong.
Yeah I got that. Sharpton did say he didn't think Imus was a bad person. How many ppl could say the things Imus did and expect to have a job the next day?


My comment about the donating...you know...that was more me blowing off steam BUT...now I'm not talking about organizations but how many rich black people do you hear about using their money to support things like sickle cell...
And "hear" is the key word here, isn't it? Just because you don't hear about something happening, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. just like I'd never heard about Imus' work with sickle cell before....but that doesn't it doesn't happen.
Chili from TLC does hands on work with sickle cell. Mariah Carey opened a summer camp for underprivileged kids. Tyra banks does alot of things as well. Chingy put out a call to help the people in LA after Katrina. Ja Rule teamed up with associates of 2pac's children organization and founded L.I.F.E Foundation (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=L.I.F.E_Foundation&action=edit) which opens its doors to under privileged kids. Especially those most prone to a street life of drugs and violence. The foundation has various programs which include art, music, poetry and sports
DMC from "Run-DMC" has contributed money and time to Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and was even given an award for his works with them.


Blacks giving back: increasing number donate large sums to institutions and causes
Kimberly Davis
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1077/is_2_59/ai_110962902/print

CONTRARY to general perception, an increasing number of African-Americans are stepping forward and giving back to their communities. From individual contributions to foundations, charities and movements started by Blacks, Brothers and Sisters--celebrities and non-celebrities--are digging deep into their pockets and contributing substantial funds to make things better not only in the African-American community, but also in African nations. As usual, those efforts seem to be peaking during the holiday season.
"From where we sit, I would say that giving is up," says Donald M. Stewart, president and CEO of the Chicago Community Trust.
"I think that's the function of increased African-American prosperity. You can't give money away if you don't have it."
Stewart and other philanthropy experts say that as Blacks have succeeded, their contributions to specific causes, concerns and organizations have increased. That's not to say that African-American philanthropy is where it needs to be. There's always room for improvement.
"The problem is that Blacks don't have the capital base from which to give. By that, I mean that we don't have as many wealthy, wealthy Blacks who can give multimillion-dollar gifts," says William H. Gray HI, president and CEO of UNCF. "Black philanthropy has increased, but it still has not reached the levels that I think it can reach."
There are a number of heavy hitters--African-Americans who are setting the bar high for others to follow their generous example. The biggest contemporary philanthropist and perhaps biggest African-American philanthropist of all time is talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who has given roughly $32 million toward African and African-American causes. One of her most recent gifts, $5 million to Morehouse College, continued a legacy of giving (a total of $7 million) to that institution. And she recently pledged $10 million to build the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa.
William (Bill) and Camille Cosby made a $20 million donation to Spelman College that went toward the construction of the Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic Center, which was dedicated in 1996. EBONY publisher John H. Johnson has given more than $6 million, including a $4 million gift this year to Howard University (see page 56). And the Ebony Fashion Fair has enabled sponsors to raise $49 million for UNCF and other causes since its founding in 1958.
Other individual donors include legendary singer Ray Charles, who has given an estimated $5 million to at least three historically Black colleges and universities--Morehouse, Albany State and Wilberforce.
HBCU alumni are also known for their generosity. Businessman Frank Savage, a graduate and current chairman of the Board of Trustees of Howard University, gave his school $5 million. And famed Florida attorney Willie Gary, who is also co-founder of the MBC network, has donated an estimated $15 million to various causes. That total includes $10 million he and his wife Gloria gave to Shaw University, their alma mater, in 1991.
Other celebrities and philanthropists are also known through the work of their foundations. The Tom Joyner Foundation*, which raises funds, has donated more than $18 million to HBCUs. The foundation recently gave $1 million to cash-strapped Morris Brown College in Atlanta, which lost its accreditation and is $27 million in debt.
A major philanthropic family--the Browns of Baltimore--has given generously. Through the Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation, Eddie Brown, the president of Brown Capital Management, and his family, have given more than $15 million to various educational and cultural causes.
This is not, by any means, a complete list of major contributors. Others, not shown here, have given large sums. Billionaire Robert L. Johnson contributed $3 million to the Underground Railroad Museum Project and gave $1 million to the YMCA in Charlotte, N.C. BET, the company he co-founded with then-wife Sheila Crump Johnson (also a major philanthropist), televises the annual BET Walk of Fame, which has raised more than $3 million for UNCF.
Athletes and entertainers also support various causes. Basketball star Dikembe Mutombo, who recently signed with the New York Knicks, has personally given $3.5 million, and pledged a total of $8 million, to build a hospital and school in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
Fellow 'baller Alonzo Mourning brings in the dollars every year with his popular 'Zo's Summer Groove event. Chicago Bulls star Jalen Rose hosts a star-studded weekend to benefit his Giving Back Foundation. The Warrick Dunn Foundation, founded by the Atlanta Falcons running back, has a program--Homes for the Holidays--that helps single mothers become first-time homeowners by making the down payments for them.
It is important also to remember the major and continuing contributions of individual Black churches and denominations. The Rev. Cecil L. Murray, pastor of First AME Church in Los Angeles, which sponsors a yearlong program of giving and caring, says, "Blacks who are empowered simply must return more to the at-risk communities."
What about those who don't know how to give back or who aren't sure of the best way to give back? Experts say that you should first begin to save. Then, start by giving a percentage of your annual income to a church, charity or other organization that focuses on the Black community. Make sure that your charitable donations (which are often tax-deductible) are included in your budget.
The Chicago Community Trust has even started an African-American Legacy Initiative, a vehicle for African-Americans to create a legacy of philanthropy.
Whatever you choose to give back--time, money or resources--understand that you are not only following philanthropic examples, but you are setting the bar for others who will follow. "My sense has always been that we've been givers," Stewart says. "I think we're a very generous people."
Is Oprah Winfrey The Biggest Black Philanthropist Ever? **
With her self-made media, communications and publishing empire, billionaire talk show host Oprah Winfrey has established a legacy of philanthropy virtually unparalleled in Black history.
From her humble beginnings in Mississippi and Milwaukee (where she grew up without electricity and running water) to a billion-dollar conglomerate that includes TV, movies and a magazine, Winfrey has focused on the importance of education as the key to success.
For her personal philanthropic donations, Winfrey established the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, which has donated roughly $32 million to African and African-American causes, according to a recent list provided by the Oprah Winfrey Foundation. Started in 1987, the private foundation is Winfrey's personal charity that she uses to further education and welfare for low-opportunity populations. The foundation has supported and empowered women, children and families around the world.
Winfrey and other contemporary Black givers are following a tradition established in the 19th century by well-to-do free Blacks, like James Forten and Robert Purvis, who were among the major supporters of the Abolitionist Movement and Black community organizations. Alonzo Herndon, Madame C.J. Walker and others continued that tradition in the 20th century.
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, South Africa: $10 million
Christmas Kindness, South Africa: $6 million
Morehouse College: $7 million
Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program for African Women at New Yolk University: $2.7 million
Jackson State University: $1.3 million
Spelman College: $1 million
A Better Chance: $1.2 million (national spokeswoman)
National Council of Negro Women: $2.5 million
** Sample list of largest donations to African-American and African causes courtesy of the Oprah Winfrey Foundation.

[Decade]

I cant comment on this much since I don't actually understand most of the racial terms used in the article, nor have I ever heard them before.


Main point: I'm apparently very lucky.

[Digital Masta]

Sure. Out of anger, sadness or confusion--a mental state he clearly wasn't in. Also, I wasn't on national television, doing my job, with full knowledge that my every word and movement was being recorded, broadcasted, and later would be on the internet. He was.

It's really is hard to discuss this with people who've never listened to him before. Simply because listeners have insight into Imus's character (based on what he know from his radio show, we can't say for his lived behind closed doors) that people who've never listened to don't have.

I don't know (i haven't made up my mind about it) if it is wrong to have him fired from his show...or at least don't have him comment on basketball games anymore. I think this a case where only his future actions will change people's minds. One bad deed can wash away so many good. That's why public personalities have to be careful.

Yeah when that bad deed is something like "All black babies should be aborted before they grow up to become criminals" I forgot the name of the radio personality who said that but that comment was clearly made to hurt and insult. Not when someone made a joke that they had no intention of hurting people. Also he doesn't normally comment on basketball games, he doesn't recap them, because its a talk show they talk about whatever and he just happenend to mention that he saw the game. But I have no qualms with having Imus curb his show a little bit from now on.

I'm sorry I'm not sure what you're trying to say here. He had callers on both sides of the fence.

I was talking about his other guest that were on the phone not the callers, the journalist, the Reverend and the congresswoman, yet he "keeps it real" and has no guest there that is in support of Imus. So we have Imus defending himself against 3 or 4 people @ one time. The only support he did get was from the random callers. How many people do you need @ one time to drive home the point that yo want him fired?

Yeah I got that. Sharpton did say he didn't think Imus was a bad person. How many ppl could say the things Imus did and expect to have a job the next day?

The key factor is in regards to what context it was said in. As far as I know Imus didn't break any FCC rules. Honestly...there are probably a lot of people who can say that and still have their job.

Once again I have to keep going back to the fact that I've listened to his show since I was a child. When you know his show, you understand that it was not meant to be racist, or mean. In all honesty...this man has earned the right to be forgiven for a joke that was taken out of context...he's been on the air for 30 years, done great works, his show brings a lot of listeners and is informative. There are certain things that you are given in terms of slack when you have a career like his(like suspended instead of fired), and this goes with ANY job, when you've put so much into your job and done so much for your job...you make a mistake and thats what this was a mistake...this was not a vicious statement of racism meant to hurt, I'd be surprised if your employer doesn't give you some slack in whatever form that may be.

Sharpton is a "man of god" don't they preach forgiveness...yet apparently only when it's convenient. He knows that Imus is truly sorry for what he said, although even if after that interview if he changed his mind somewhat he'd never admit to it.

Roxie what do you think Sharpton's take on it would be had he said "Straight haired hoes" of if was a famous black radio personality instead of Imus?

Yeah I heard that part and he was right for correcting them, but what do you mean it's the same concept? He wasn't doing a comedy skit when they were taping his comments. He was commentating! Now, whether he was trying to be funny or not, doesn't excuse him imo.

I was refering to the cleaning lady thing to being the same concept as SNL.

When I first heard about this I was like "Yeah and...?"

I sound such a self hating black person...but I'm not...I just no qualms about pointing what I find to be problems with black people as a whole.

[kilreli]

Oprah giving 10 mil for a leadership thing in africa is like me giving 20 bucks. whats 10 mil to her?! plus i think its kinda retarded that all that money she gave (its still a big amount) affects such a small amount of people. Now, i admit, i didnt watch her special on it, but it seemed to me that the dorm/school/whatever for those girls is a bit...lavish.

hypothesis: oprah is raising those girls to take over the world and make her the ruler? /joke

anyways, even though imus is a dork(no denying that), i still personally think because its a white on blakc issue more of a deal is being made of it than if it was black on white.
oh well.....

seems like this will work im Imus' favor anwyays. so he loses a few fans. he'll still have who knowshow many new viewers(listeners i guess), who will tune in to hear what crazy whacky thing he'll say next

:mario:

[Jetsetlemming]

Setting up a charity specifically to benefit your race and only your race doesn't impress me at all. :(

[stsparky]

Imus has been in trouble with his big mouth before on this very issue. He agreed to tone it down. This will either sensitize him or make him into a bigger jerk. Though I thought that being an idiotic chatterbox is what allows him to keep his job. What NBC should do is find out if they employ the other voices we heard and fine them.

It should not matter what color the person is who said what. Next time someone like Dave Chapelle or Chris Rock uses the 'N' word - they deserve a fine like anybody else would. And it should be the same for any 'hate' speech.

[Roxie]

The key factor is in regards to what context it was said in. As far as I know Imus didn't break any FCC rules. Honestly...there are probably a lot of people who can say that and still have their job. But it is right that they would? I don't think there's much context where you can say such things about people that would make it okay. Perhaps if you were quoting someone...outside of that, it's not okay.

this man has earned the right to be forgiven for a joke that was taken out of context...he's been on the air for 30 years, done great works, his show brings a lot of listeners and is informative. There are certain things that you are given in terms of slack when you have a career like his(like suspended instead of fired), and this goes with ANY job, when you've put so much into your job and done so much for your job...you make a mistake and thats what this was a mistake...this was not a vicious statement of racism meant to hurt, I'd be surprised if your employer doesn't give you some slack in whatever form that may be.Has he earned the right? I mean he's done alot of talking about it, but he hasn't done anything yet. And according to others I know who have listened to him, this is not the first "mistake" that he apologized for making and promised to do better with.

How is calling someone a "ho" on national television not intended to hurt someone? Just because HE thought it was funny? I mean, what did he not think they'd ever hear about it?

I would be surprised if my employeer did give me slack. That kind of thing is completely unacceptable in a professional workplace.

Sharpton is a "man of god" don't they preach forgiveness...yet apparently only when it's convenient. He knows that Imus is truly sorry for what he said, although even if after that interview if he changed his mind somewhat he'd never admit to it.
All men fall short of the glory of the Lord. Imus says he's truly sorry, but again he took 3 steps back when he said "you people" and I think for anyone who is unfamliar with him to really believe it, it will take action (not just words) on his part.

Roxie what do you think Sharpton's take on it would be had he said "Straight haired hoes" of if was a famous black radio personality instead of Imus?
You know, that's funny b/c there's this guy that comes on before Sharpton's show who said the same thing, indicating he wouldn't have been able to get away with it and that a story like that wouldn't have just been glossed over as this was.

I know I would find it equally as offensive and equally not funny. He's not just talking about about these good students and accomplished atheletes as African-American, but as women as well. Degrading their accomplishments, calling them hos...maybe what Imus doesn't understand is the history that him saying that to them brings up.

But if anyone had said that about women like the Rutger's team and it had been treated it the same way, I'd be just as upset. I can't speak for Sharpton.

[Roxie]

Oprah giving 10 mil for a leadership thing in africa is like me giving 20 bucks. whats 10 mil to her?! plus i think its kinda retarded that all that money she gave (its still a big amount) affects such a small amount of people. Now, i admit, i didnt watch her special on it, but it seemed to me that the dorm/school/whatever for those girls is a bit...lavish.
Oprah did not only give her money, she gave her time. She went down to Africa to oversee the entire process. These schools are her babies. Do you know how many hollywood celebs don't even give $1million? Besides, this is only the first school in a series. So what if it was lavish? So what? She wants them to have the best and she's footing the bill.

[Roxie]

http://www.wbir.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=44088&provider=gnews

Rutgers University officials and women's basketball players soundly criticized radio host Don Imus on Tuesday for last week's racially charged comments, as Imus apologized on the air yet again for referring to the players as "nappy-headed 'hos."

But the players said they also had agreed to meet with the embattled broadcaster, whose remarks have triggered nationwide outrage.

"Before you are valedictorians of their class, musical prodigies, future doctors and yes, even Girl Scouts," Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer told a news conference Tuesday morning.

She called her team members "young ladies of class, distinction. They are brilliant, they are articulate, they are God's representatives in every sense of the word."

Imus' comments have overshadowed the accomplishments of the freshman-laden Rutgers team, Stringer said. The team, which suffered through several early-season losses, finished an unexpected second in last week's NCAA tournament.

"That's the greatest story," Stringer said of her team. "I have nothing but pride and respect for them."

Essence Carson, a junior who is the team's captain, said the team had agreed to meet with Imus at a time and location that would not be disclosed.

"I would like to express our team's hurt, anger and disgust at Mr. Don Imus," she said. "We're not attacking a major broadcasting figure. We're attacking what we know just isn't right."

"What hurts the most about this situation is that Mr. Imus doesn't know one of us personally," said team member Heather Zurich. "We were insulted and yes, we were angry."

Rutgers President Richard McCormick said the university "cannot stand silent and let these young women be unfairly attacked. He said the players "did nothing" to justify Imus' words.

The university is "extraordinarily proud" of the students, he said. "We have their backs."

The Rutgers comments came one day after CBS Radio, which airs his morning show, and MSNBC, which simulcasts it, suspended Imus for two weeks beginning April 16.

Imus again apologized on his program Tuesday morning, marking the third consecutive broadcast day in which he apologized on the air for the comments.

[Y.T.]

Imus Calls Rutgers Team 'Nappy-Headed Hos'


Like, Why Should I Care ?

Never heard of Rutgers' Team, Imus, or Nappy-Headed Ho's.

This forum is 85% inanity, 5% profanity ,5% sense and 5% stating the obvious.

[Trump]

Roxie, perhaps you have trouble looking at things from other perspectives. You make it sound like being on national TV makes him act so much differently than he normally would. Well think about it. He has spent more hours in front of a camera than you've spent doing many things. Do you think he is slightly desensitized to it? I man if he was as uptight as you expect him to be, he'd have never become a successful media personality. The people up there have to be relaxed and when you are relaxed sometimes things slip. Oh well.

This issue reminds me of the fireman issue. There are some people who cannot look at other sides of an issue because their emotions get in the way. Emotions are valid, but not absolute, and surely not always right. It makes me sad.

[Jetsetlemming]

Holy shit I agree with zakalwe on a topic. :knockout: Thanks, roxie. :bored:

[Roxie]

Roxie, perhaps you have trouble looking at things from other perspectives. You make it sound like being on national TV makes him act so much differently than he normally would. Well think about it. He has spent more hours in front of a camera than you've spent doing many things. Do you think he is slightly desensitized to it? I man if he was as uptight as you expect him to be, he'd have never become a successful media personality. The people up there have to be relaxed and when you are relaxed sometimes things slip. Oh well.
I have no trouble looking at it from the p.o.v. and I was expecting it to be presented, however, I still think it's crap. "Nappy headed hos" and "jiggabo" doesn't roll off your tounge. It doesn't require being uptight, it just requires thinking before you speak.

[Jetsetlemming]

He didn't say jiggabo. Someone else off-camera did.

[freeradicals]

Everyone is a racist, but we must try and hide our nasties. Without that, there is no civil society. I can imagine black people now, rioting and looting because of what some random white person said. The dude should have shut his trap.

[Roxie]

No, everyone is not racist. Everyone has prejudices.

[Digital Masta]

A little note:

The Jiggabos vs the Wannabes was a reference to the movie SCHOOL DAZE by Spike Lee. In the movie there was a match between dark skinned blacks and light skinned blacks.

Anyway...I tired of going back and forth on this so I'm done...

[xinster]

whos Denny Crane?

Me and my black friend were talking about this today. It's more sexist than anything. Black people call eachother nappy-headed in a derogatory way sometimes too, but it has racist connotations when white people use it, cause of the obvious difference in number of nappy headed white people vs. number of nappy headed black people. Turns it into an us-vs-them thing. Imus has done this stuff before though.

[Kaji]

Eh, I've heard black people bitch others out over the use of "nappy" for many of the same reasons they bitch others out over the use of "nigger": It's their word, and don't you dare touch it or apply it to a non-black person. This one doesn't even have the history of contempt behind it that the other word does (even if it does, not nearly to the same extent or general awareness).

[Jetsetlemming]

I saw a clip on the news when I went upstairs to bed of Rosie O'Donell defending Imus and calling it un-American for people to be offended or attacking Imus for saying that. :rofl:

[Digital Masta]

whos Denny Crane?

Me and my black friend were talking about this today. It's more sexist than anything. Black people call eachother nappy-headed in a derogatory way sometimes too, but it has racist connotations when white people use it, cause of the obvious difference in number of nappy headed white people vs. number of nappy headed black people. Turns it into an us-vs-them thing. Imus has done this stuff before though.


I've never considered nappy to be a racially offensive word...cause when your hair is nappy...ITS NAPPY!

whos Denny Crane?

God.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denny_Crane

[Roxie]

Yeah. Nappy alone isn't racially offensive, it was more the combo of words he chose

[Jetsetlemming]

So if nappy isn't racially offensive, and ho's isn't racially offensive (It's sexually offensive), how does "nappy-headed hos" become racially offensive?
All my offense at comments about calling women bitches and ho's is already spent on ghetto popular culture. There's none left for Imus, even if he IS extra-white. He has to compete with just about every popular rapper in the free world for attention.

[Roxie]

nappy is a racially charged word, although it can be applied other people who are not african-american, it's obvious that was who he was referring to. the negative usuage along with the word "ho" gives not only a mysognistic tone, but racial one as well considering the speaker and the subjects.


And please stop with the "rapper" comparison. Rappers aren't our moral compass and everyone has enough problems with what they say anyway.

[Roxie]

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Two advertisers have pulled their sponsorship of Don Imus' radio show to protest his racially charged comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

The office-supply chain Staples and Bigelow Tea Company said Tuesday they were ending their relationship with Imus, who has been suspended for two weeks by MSNBC and CBS Radio.

"While Bigelow Tea has been an advertiser on the 'Imus in the Morning show,' the company does not condone or support in any way the unacceptable comments made by Imus with regard to the Rutgers University women's basketball team," Cindi Bigelow, the company's co-president, said in a statement. "Bigelow Tea is a family company that prides itself on honoring and respecting all individuals."

Bigelow added that the company does support Imus' efforts on behalf of children with terminal illnesses, against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other causes.

But, she said, "We are deeply saddened by his remarks and his comments in no way represent the views of our family or the Bigelow Tea Company. This unfortunate incident has put our future sponsorship in jeopardy."

Rutgers players speak out
Imus "has stolen a moment of pure grace from us," the captain of the Rutgers women's basketball team said Tuesday, responding to the uproar over the radio host's description of the players as "nappy-headed hos."

Essence Carson and other players spoke out at a news conference in their first public statements since Imus' inflammatory remarks last week.

"I would like to express our team's great hurt, anger and disgust toward the words of Mr. Don Imus," Carson said. "We are highly angered at his remarks but deeply saddened with the racial characterization they entailed." (Watch as Carson says the issue is "about more than a game of basketball")

Imus made the comments on his show Wednesday after the underdog team lost the NCAA women's title to the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers. He apologized on Friday and Monday before CBS Radio and MSNBC suspended him for two weeks.

Other players echoed Carson's reaction, saying Imus' insulting words and the resulting controversy overshadowed their achievements. (Players talk of hurt, seeking understanding)

"Our moment was taken away -- our moment to celebrate our success, our moment to realize how far we had come, both on and off the court, as young women," said sophomore forward Heather Zurich. "We were stripped of this moment by degrading comments made by Mr. Imus last Wednesday. What hurts the most about this situation is that Mr. Imus knows not one of us personally."

Wednesday morning, Stacy Brann, Rutgers team spokeswoman, said the team will meet with Imus this week. The day and location are still to be determined, she said.

"We just hope to come to some type of understanding of what the remarks really entailed, his reasons why they were said," Carson said.

"And we'd just like to express our great hurt, the sadness that he has brought to us."

Several players said they would welcome the chance for a face-to-face meeting with Imus.

"I would like to speak to him personally and ... ask him, after you've met me personally, do you still feel in this category that I'm still a 'ho' as a woman and as a black, African-American woman at that?" said Kia Vaughn, a sophomore center.

"I achieve a lot, and unless they have given this name of 'ho' a new definition, then that is not what I am."

Carson said, "We haven't personally received an apology. And personally, if someone were to apologize to me, I would feel better if I heard from them themselves. Reading it in a newspaper or watching on television or hearing it on radio doesn't serve any justice to what he said."

Coach C. Vivian Stringer praised the accomplishments and character of the team members, five of whom are freshmen. (Coach builds winners, despite adversity)

"Before you are valedictorians of their class, future doctors, musical prodigies, and yes, even Girl Scouts," she said. "They are young ladies of class, distinction, they are articulate, they are brilliant, they are gifted. They are God's representatives in every sense of the word." Stringer described the team's hard work to bounce back from defeats early in the season. (Read Stringer's complete comments)

Suspension doesn't satisfy critics
Critics of Imus weren't swayed by the shock jock's apology or MSNBC and CBS Radio's decisions to suspend him.

Imus tried to stem the backlash from his comments by appearing on the Rev. Al Sharpton's syndicated radio show Monday, where he said there was no excuse for his remark. "I wish I hadn't said it. I'm sorry I said it," Imus said. (What's new about the Imus controversy?)

Sharpton was not placated by Imus' apology, saying the radio host's two-week suspension was merely "a baby step in the right direction."

"I think to say that his statements were racist, as they've said, then that means they should not allow him to come back," he said.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and National Association of Black Journalists have joined the former Democratic presidential hopeful in his call for Imus' ouster. The SCLC has asked the Federal Communications Commission to enter the fray.

There was outrage not just about the racist implications but also about the sexist nature of Imus' remarks.


"There's no question that this was so wrong on so many levels: racist, sexist, misogynistic," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. (Watch how some say "sorry" isn't enough)

However, not everyone believes Imus' remarks should earn him the boot.

Syndicated columnist Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune said the suspension was sufficient in his view.

"I personally think that's enough. That's more than he has ever gotten before," said Page. "I think this gives a sound warning because it hits him in the pocketbook, although I am sure it will just help his ratings."

[Digital Masta]

I guess my biggest problem is that this comment was not an attack on ALL black people. The ones most affected by this are not black people as a whole, only the Rutgers women's team. I don't like how this is being blow up into a whole representation of black people.

http://abcrad.vo.llnwd.net/o1/hannity/fr​ee_audio/rss_audio/hannity070411.mp3

There is a lot of chaos in this radio show because it gets kind of heated but interesting nonetheless. I liked what the half black/half white woman caller from Los Angeles had to say.

[kilreli]

Oprah did not only give her money, she gave her time. She went down to Africa to oversee the entire process. These schools are her babies. Do you know how many hollywood celebs don't even give $1million? Besides, this is only the first school in a series. So what if it was lavish? So what? She wants them to have the best and she's footing the bill.
if i ever win the lottery(what, the ohio lottery gets up to the 500 millions, right?), i promise i would give more back than oprah gave. with that much money, what would 10 mil be?

also, i will say that i am happy because oprah is giving back, i just feel like she is doing it for different reasons.

And please stop with the "rapper" comparison. Rappers aren't our moral compass
And Imus is....:boggled:

Edit: on another note i think it is good that Imus is facing the music about it, that dork

[Trump]

You know what this situation reminds me of? Driving a car.

Normally you are driving along just fine, nothing out of the ordinary and you get where you are going. But sometimes even the best drivers cause an accident. It's funny though, after an accident people usually aren't screwed for life. People don't write angry letters and fire them from their job. People just fix the car, charge them a little more money for insurance, and everything goes back to normal.

So when you think about it, this is very much like the Imus situation. He has his normal routine that he does pretty much every day. He makes one little slip and has an accident. OK, no big deal. But wait it is a big deal?? I only ask one question... WHY IS THIS ANY DIFFERENT? He made a mistake, apologized for it, and paid for it, but no .... people keep harassing him about it. WTF.

[xinster]

Imus isn’t the real bad guy
Instead of wasting time on irrelevant shock jock, black leaders need to be fighting a growing gangster culture.
By JASON WHITLOCK - Columnist

Thank you, Don Imus. You’ve given us (black people) an excuse to avoid our real problem.

You’ve given Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson another opportunity to pretend that the old fight, which is now the safe and lucrative fight, is still the most important fight in our push for true economic and social equality.

You’ve given Vivian Stringer and Rutgers the chance to hold a nationally televised recruiting celebration expertly disguised as a news conference to respond to your poor attempt at humor.

Thank you, Don Imus. You extended Black History Month to April, and we can once again wallow in victimhood, protest like it’s 1965 and delude ourselves into believing that fixing your hatred is more necessary than eradicating our self-hatred.

The bigots win again.

While we’re fixated on a bad joke cracked by an irrelevant, bad shock jock, I’m sure at least one of the marvelous young women on the Rutgers basketball team is somewhere snapping her fingers to the beat of 50 Cent’s or Snoop Dogg’s or Young Jeezy’s latest ode glorifying nappy-headed pimps and hos.

I ain’t saying Jesse, Al and Vivian are gold-diggas, but they don’t have the heart to mount a legitimate campaign against the real black-folk killas.

It is us. At this time, we are our own worst enemies. We have allowed our youths to buy into a culture (hip hop) that has been perverted, corrupted and overtaken by prison culture. The music, attitude and behavior expressed in this culture is anti-black, anti-education, demeaning, self-destructive, pro-drug dealing and violent.

Rather than confront this heinous enemy from within, we sit back and wait for someone like Imus to have a slip of the tongue and make the mistake of repeating the things we say about ourselves.

It’s embarrassing. Dave Chappelle was offered $50 million to make racially insensitive jokes about black and white people on TV. He was hailed as a genius. Black comedians routinely crack jokes about white and black people, and we all laugh out loud.

I’m no Don Imus apologist. He and his tiny companion Mike Lupica blasted me after I fell out with ESPN. Imus is a hack.

But, in my view, he didn’t do anything outside the norm for shock jocks and comedians. He also offered an apology. That should’ve been the end of this whole affair. Instead, it’s only the beginning. It’s an opportunity for Stringer, Jackson and Sharpton to step on victim platforms and elevate themselves and their agenda$.

I watched the Rutgers news conference and was ashamed.

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke for eight minutes in 1963 at the March on Washington. At the time, black people could be lynched and denied fundamental rights with little thought. With the comments of a talk-show host most of her players had never heard of before last week serving as her excuse, Vivian Stringer rambled on for 30 minutes about the amazing season her team had.

Somehow, we’re supposed to believe that the comments of a man with virtually no connection to the sports world ruined Rutgers’ wonderful season. Had a broadcaster with credibility and a platform in the sports world uttered the words Imus did, I could understand a level of outrage.

But an hourlong press conference over a man who has already apologized, already been suspended and is already insignificant is just plain intellectually dishonest. This is opportunism. This is a distraction.

In the grand scheme, Don Imus is no threat to us in general and no threat to black women in particular. If his words are so powerful and so destructive and must be rebuked so forcefully, then what should we do about the idiot rappers on BET, MTV and every black-owned radio station in the country who use words much more powerful and much more destructive?

I don’t listen or watch Imus’ show regularly. Has he at any point glorified selling crack cocaine to black women? Has he celebrated black men shooting each other randomly? Has he suggested in any way that it’s cool to be a baby-daddy rather than a husband and a parent? Does he tell his listeners that they’re suckers for pursuing education and that they’re selling out their race if they do?

When Imus does any of that, call me and I’ll get upset. Until then, he is what he is — a washed-up shock jock who is very easy to ignore when you’re not looking to be made a victim.

No. We all know where the real battleground is. We know that the gangsta rappers and their followers in the athletic world have far bigger platforms to negatively define us than some old white man with a bad radio show. There’s no money and lots of danger in that battle, so Jesse and Al are going to sit it out.

[Roxie]

I don't it's so much what Imus said as it was MSNBC's complete lack of acknowledgement. Like what he said was a-okay with them, business as usual. I think that's what mad people so upset and really compounded the situation.

Trump, it would be like driving a car...if the driver saw a victory parade full of happy school kids and deliberately played chicken with them. Of course, he's not intending to hurt them, just have a little fun...and the police just watch and then go on to ticket a jaywalker (or something).

xin, that article is full of crap. I don't know about Jesse Jackson, i can't speak about him, but I've been listening to Sharpton's show (off and on, but mostly on) for about the past two months and talks alot about the mysogyny and violence in rap lyrics, how they are deterimental and how they need to change.

[Trump]

Roxie... we aren't talking life and death here, we are talking words. My driving metaphor aptly represents the severity of the problem and the total effect of the actions. There is no lasting harm or chance for death as in your metaphor. The only negative side of things is perhaps a little monetary damage, time lost, and an small emotional swing. If you really want to involve children, it would be more like driving by and intentionally hitting a puddle to splash them. The kids end up wet, dirty, and upset, but no real lasting harm. Compare apples to apples and not grapefruit to grapes.

I bring this up because this is how far you blow it out of proportion. You take it from *at worst* libel to something on the order of manslaughter. You get so wrapped up in your emotions it blows me away. I understand you are not happy with the situation, but seriously I get as pissed off at everyone's overreaction as you get pissed off at Imus.

You know, when it really comes down to it, I'm a forgiving person. Make one mistake, especially an unintentional one and I'll let you off the hook. Make another and I start to pay attention, and a third is about when I've had enough. Did Imus intend to hurt the Rutgers players? I think he was just trying to make a joke. Is he racist? You know, I don't even care!!! I cannot think of any way that it even matters to the situation. The closest thing I can compare this to is an outright lie on television. If a news caster knowingly lies on the air, does he get fired? Not usually. Again I ask, does the punishment fit the crime? I still cannot answer yes.

[Roxie]

omg, Trump, calm down. I am not "wrapped up in my emotions"

I think the car analogy is crap to begin with, so it can't really go up from there.

my point was that he intent does not excuse him. the road to hell is paved wtih good intentions and evidently, this is not the first time.

BTW, Dan Rather got fired that way...well his contract wasn't renewed.

[Roxie]

Imus: 'I've apologized enough'
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Amid the outcry over the incendiary and racially charged comment he made on air last week, shock jock Don Imus said Thursday "I've apologized enough" and that he will not go on "some talk show tour."

"I'm not going to go talk to Larry King or Barbara Walters or anyone else," Imus said on his radio show, which originates from WFAN-AM in New York and is syndicated nationally by Westwood One, both of which are managed by CBS Corp.

Imus was referring to the members of Rutgers University women's basketball team, whom he described as "nappy-headed hos" the day after the team lost the NCAA championship to the University of Tennessee. (Gallery: Other controversial comments aired on Imus show)

He has repeatedly apologized for those remarks. Team members have agreed to meet with him privately, but so far no meeting has taken place.

"It gets said, 'Kids get hurt,' " he said. "At some point I'm going to go talk to the team. And that's all I'm interested in doing ... the story's not over."

Imus' comments Thursday come a day after NBC Universal decided to part ways with him completely, thus canceling the simulcast of his show on MSNBC.

Despite being dropped by NBC, Imus hosted his show from the MSNBC studios in New Jersey. He did not appear on TV.

"As you know, MSNBC folded up yesterday, so we're just on the radio," he said.

Imus was broadcasting his 18th annual radio charity fund-raiser, which has pulled in $40 million since 1990. It ends Friday.

On Wednesday, appearing on CNN's "The Situation Room," presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D.-Illinois, blasted NBC for airing a host who makes "derogatory statements toward women and minorities.

"I've got two young daughters who I hope will be athletes. And, you know, the notion that somehow they would be degraded and insulted, and that that would pass as humor, and that NBC would be running that over the public airwaves I think is atrocious," he said.

Earlier in the week, CBS Radio issued a statement announcing a two-week suspension that starts Monday.

"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," the statement said. "This is the only decision that makes that possible." (Your e-mails on Imus)

Imus discussed the cancellation on his morning show.

"As you know MSNBC folded up yesterday, so we're just on the radio," he said, adding "sometimes it doesn't snow on Christmas."

On Wednesday, a CBS board member, Bruce Gordon, called for Imus to be fired from WFAN.

"His remarks are so significant that I believe that the right outcome is for him to be terminated," said Gordon, former president of the NAACP.

The head coach of the Rutgers women's basketball team, Vivian Stringer, told "The Situation Room" Wednesday that she was "stunned" and "surprised" by MSNBC's move.

"I think that it's probably a victory for the people," said Stringer, who said she was "proud" of corporate executives who "understand that we can do better."

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton said MSNBC's move "was the right thing to do." He reiterated his call for CBS Radio to fire Imus.

"If CBS follows suit as NBC has done, it gives a chilling message to those that will use the public airwaves in a way that is gender-biased and race-biased," he told "The Situation Room."

His comments also prompted at least eight companies to pull their ads from Imus' show: Staples, General Motors, Sprint Nextel, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, PetMed Express, American Express and Bigelow Tea.

Rutgers players express 'hurt, anger, disgust'
Imus "has stolen a moment of pure grace from us," the captain of the Rutgers women's basketball team, Essence Carson, said.

Carson and other players spoke at a news conference Tuesday in their first public statements since Imus' inflammatory remarks. (Players talk of hurt, seeking understanding)

"I would like to express our team's great hurt, anger and disgust toward the words of Mr. Don Imus," Carson said. (Watch as Carson says the issue is "about more than a game of basketball")

Imus used the derogatory phrase after the underdog team lost the NCAA women's title to the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers. He apologized on Friday and Monday before his suspension.

Other players echoed Carson's reaction, saying Imus' insulting words and the resulting controversy overshadowed their achievements.

Stringer and Rutgers players are scheduled to appear Thursday on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

On Wednesday morning, Stacy Brann, Rutgers team spokeswoman, said the players will meet with Imus this week. The day and location are still to be determined, she said.

Several players said they would welcome the chance for a face-to-face meeting with Imus.

"I would like to speak to him personally and ... ask him, after you've met me personally, do you still feel in this category that I'm still a 'ho' as a woman and as a black, African-American woman at that?" said Kia Vaughn, a sophomore center.

"I achieve a lot, and unless they have given this name of 'ho' a new definition, then that is not what I am."

Stringer praised the accomplishments and character of the team members, five of whom are freshmen. (Coach builds winners, despite adversity)

"They are young ladies of class, distinction, they are articulate, they are brilliant, they are gifted. They are God's representatives in every sense of the word," she said. (Read Stringer's complete comments)

Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/12/imus.rutgers/index.html

[Kaji]

Thought policing at its finest. Yay!

[Roxie]

how is it thought policing?
If any thought is being policed, it's the lack of it before you speak.

[Trump]

Did you read the article Roxie?

"His remarks are so significant that I believe that the right outcome is for him to be terminated," So if I say something people don't like I should be fired?
"I think that it's probably a victory for the people," and so firing someone because of some *words* is now a victory.

That is definately thought policing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thought_Police I mean he didn't even mean it, he just said it and wham, cancelled. Yes, racism is today's big "no no" of society and apparently racism is now more important than freedom of speech.

[Digital Masta]

Yeah...well the dynamic duo (sharpton and Jackson) got their wish. I suspect he'll be picked up by another language and I suspect that WFAN may start to lose their radio personalities to other stations.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/12/imus.rutgers/index.html

[Roxie]

Are you forgetting he was on the job? You say things like that on the job, joke or not (especially if isn't the first time), expect to get fired.

[Jetsetlemming]

But he didn't say anything racial on it's own, and he didn't say anything NEAR as bad as what your average musician or sports star says. The only difference is that Imus is white guy, and he didn't call them nappy-headed hos to a backbeat.

[Angelyne]

Are you forgetting he was on the job? You say things like that on the job, joke or not (especially if isn't the first time), expect to get fired.

His job is to be a shock jock. He is supposed to say shocking things. I don't agree with what he said, but we should consider the context. He has been saying controversial things for over thirty years--why should he expect his statements to suddenly be a problem now?

Let's consider this from another perspective. When Mel Gibson made his tirade against jews, he apologized and was forgiven. Why is that situation different? Why did the media, celebrities, and pundits accept Mel's apology and not Imus'?

It's so hypocritical.

[Kaji]

"We cannot afford a precedent established that the airwaves can be used to commercialize and mainstream sexism and racism. But there will be no champagne bottle popping by those of us involved in this. This is not about gloating," Sharpton said.

Once again, see the bit about blacks having their own skeletons in the closet with regards to misogyny and racism. The precedent has already been set by BET and MTV.

[Roxie]

what he said was racially negative and sexist. Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with shock jocks. We've got a small radio market down here.

Did the media forgive Mel? He's been portrayed as crazy ever since (as far as I can tell).

Kaji, you continue to freaking puzzle me with the things you write.
ONCE AGAIN
Sharpton DOES speak out (http://www.blink.org.uk/pdescription.asp?key=14550&grp=1&cat=203) aganist the violence and sexism in rap lyrics. MANY black people speak out aganist as well. Shall I remind you of Spellman v. Nelly (http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_1380.shtml)? Did you ever see the VH1 special Sexplotation (http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/96137/episode_about.jhtml)? And you want to talk about precendent? Oh trust me, you don't want to go with that arguement. That shit didn't come from thin air. I got your precendent in 1620.

I'm just so tired of everyone acting like people are Ok with rappers saying it, so what's the difference when Imus says it? Stop acting like a damn fool. There are many, many people who are NOT okay with it. We are on the interwebs, look it up! Oh, oh and people want to talk about Chris Rock! Well get this--in his last HBO special, he actually had a joke referencing the women who dance to this horrid lyrics. Asking how could they-and that the excuse of "he isn't talking about me" wasn't good enough.

[l337moomoo]

I really don't understand why anyone should give a fuck. Sorry to sound so blatant, but shit, who cares? This topic doesn't even phase me.

[Saitou Hajime]

Har har, he got fired from this job only to almost 100% for certain get hired on a satellite network for more money, like Stern, especially after this controversy.

[Jetsetlemming]

what he said was racially negative and sexist. Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with shock jocks. We've got a small radio market down here.

Did the media forgive Mel? He's been portrayed as crazy ever since (as far as I can tell).

Kaji, you continue to freaking puzzle me with the things you write.
ONCE AGAIN
Sharpton DOES speak out (http://www.blink.org.uk/pdescription.asp?key=14550&grp=1&cat=203) aganist the violence and sexism in rap lyrics. MANY black people speak out aganist as well. Shall I remind you of Spellman v. Nelly (http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_1380.shtml)? Did you ever see the VH1 special Sexplotation (http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/96137/episode_about.jhtml)? And you want to talk about precendent? Oh trust me, you don't want to go with that arguement. That shit didn't come from thin air. I got your precendent in 1620.

I'm just so tired of everyone acting like people are Ok with rappers saying it, so what's the difference when Imus says it? Stop acting like a damn fool. There are many, many people who are NOT okay with it. We are on the interwebs, look it up! Oh, oh and people want to talk about Chris Rock! Well get this--in his last HBO special, he actually had a joke referencing the women who dance to this horrid lyrics. Asking how could they-and that the excuse of "he isn't talking about me" wasn't good enough.
Because many of these public figures attacking Imus don't speak out against rap, and far more people are speaking out against Imus now than rap.

[Roxie]

OMG, THEY DO SPEAK OUT AGANIST RAP!! ALL THE TIME! IT IS A CONSTANT THEME! this is the 3rd time i've said this in this thread. If you continue to disbelieve and refuse to google, then you're (the general you) being willfully ignorant.

DID YOU NOT CLICK THE LINKS I PROVIDED? One mentions Sharpton!

The only reason more ppl are speaking out aganist Imus is b/c its (evidently, as no one seems to know or recalls these public figures stance) is b/c it is more publicized.

...an anti-rap movement ... began in March [2005], soon after shots were fired by the rival entourages of 50 Cent and the Game outside a New York radio station. Al Sharpton demanded that the Federal Communications Commission ban violent rappers from radio and television, and he launched a boycott against Universal Music Group, which he accused of "peddling racist and misogynistic black stereotypes" through rap music. Sharpton expressed special concern about white perceptions of African Americans. Rappers and their corporate supporters "make it easy for black culture to be dismissed by the majority," he said, and the large white fan base "has learned through rap images to identify black male culture with a culture of violence." (http://nomoremister.blogspot.com/2007/04/apples-and-oranges-michelle-malkin.html)

[Psychochink]

Heh.

Why do people even bother debating any kind of race discrimination-related topic with Roxie, anymore? It's not like she's ever going to budge an inch unless provided with absolutely incontrovertible arguments. And even then...

Having said that, keep going. I need reading material.

[Angelyne]

Nobody is disagreeing that there are people who speak out against rap. The point of contention is that Imus' critics have received far, far more media attention than any anti-rap statement ever made. Even the controversial comments made by Bill Cosby a few years ago didn't approach this level of media spotlight.

People are rightfully pissed off at the hypocrisy.

Mel Gibson goes off on a tirade about Jews, but did he lose his job? Movie contracts? No. Sure he is seen as nutty in the tabloids, but he is still making an assload of cash and people still care about his movies en masse.

Rosie O'Donnell made fun of Asians a few weeks ago. She never apologized and yet she is still employed. She just renewed hew contract with The View actually.

Isaiah Washington on Grey's Anatomy has called his gay castmate "faggot" on more than one occasion. He is still employed.


...and these are instances within the last year that I can remember off the top of my head. Did their comments receive the same media shitstorm that Imus caused? No. Did they receive as much punishment as Imus? No.

It's a double fucking standard. Making fun of jews, gays, Asians = ok, just apologize for it later, maybe go to rehab, and you'll be fine. Making fun of blacks = OMFG FIRE THAT MOTHERFUCKER. Double. fucking. standard.

THAT is why people here are pissed that he was fired despite apologizing profusely.

[Pierrot le Fou]

Listen to this bigot:
" You know the worst thing about niggas? Niggas always want credit for some shit they supposed to do. A nigga'll brag about some shit a normal man just does. A nigga'll say some shit like 'I take care of my kids.' You supposed to you dumb mutha fucker! What kind of ignorant shit is that! 'I ain't never been to jail!'What do you want, a cookie?! You're not supposed to go to jail you low expectation-having motherfucker!"
Fire him.

"Who's more racist? Black people or White people? Black people! Ya know why? Because black people hate black people too! Everything white people don't like about black people, black people really don't like about black people."
Racist racist racist.

"Black people yelling 'racism!'. White people yelling 'reverse racism!'. Chinese people yelling 'sideways racism!. And the Indians ain't yelling shit cos they dead. So everybody bitching about how bad they people got it, nobody got it worse than the American Indian, everyone needs to calm the fuck down."
And he calls THAT an apology?

[RandomPasserby]

Hey, PLF, he is black, "it's different!", right?

[Pierrot le Fou]

Of course. That was funny. Imus isn't. So a double-standard and a blind eye make the world turn.

[Jetsetlemming]

Listen to this bigot:
" You know the worst thing about niggas? Niggas always want credit for some shit they supposed to do. A nigga'll brag about some shit a normal man just does. A nigga'll say some shit like 'I take care of my kids.' You supposed to you dumb mutha fucker! What kind of ignorant shit is that! 'I ain't never been to jail!'What do you want, a cookie?! You're not supposed to go to jail you low expectation-having motherfucker!"
Fire him.

"Who's more racist? Black people or White people? Black people! Ya know why? Because black people hate black people too! Everything white people don't like about black people, black people really don't like about black people."
Racist racist racist.

"Black people yelling 'racism!'. White people yelling 'reverse racism!'. Chinese people yelling 'sideways racism!. And the Indians ain't yelling shit cos they dead. So everybody bitching about how bad they people got it, nobody got it worse than the American Indian, everyone needs to calm the fuck down."
And he calls THAT an apology?
Who said these? >_>; My first thought was the guy that makes the Boondocks, but I think that last one is Chris Rock... He's also said "When I see a fine sister with a white man, I get pissed. I get mad. I don't get violent, but I get mad. I'm like 'Damn, baby, what do I got to do... to get with you?' I mean, what must I do?" and "There's nothing that a white man with a penny hates more... than a nigger with a nickel!". :blank:
...
Ok, according to wikiquotes all of that is Chris Rock. Whoops. <_<
It's fairly obvious Chris Rock is a hell of a lot more famous than Don Imus, with a hell of a lot more people listening to him. I've seen three Chris Rock comedy specials, I never even HEARD of Imus before this thread.

[Kaji]

Roxie: Sharpton's saying they need to nip people like Imus in the bud before the precedent is set promoting misogyny and racism. His statement implicitly states that he doesn't believe there to be such a precedent. Thus, it indicates willful ignorance of the existing precedent set by...any guesses who? Chances are you've already filled in the blank yourself by now.

[Jetsetlemming]

Here's a hint: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/liljontheeastsideboyz/movebitch.html
I was trying to find his "Skeet Skeet Skeet!" song, but this will do.

[stsparky]

Why didn't Imus state he was paraphrasing Spike Lee? Ah well.

[Roxie]

Nobody is disagreeing that there are people who speak out against rap. The point of contention is that Imus' critics have received far, far more media attention than any anti-rap statement ever made. Even the controversial comments made by Bill Cosby a few years ago didn't approach this level of media spotlight.

THAT is why people here are pissed that he was fired despite apologizing profusely.
Ah, well when you put it that way I understand. Rightfully so, it is hypocritical..I don't know if I can agree with Bill Cosby one though...maybe it's where I live but it was a topic for weeks. Course, he's pretty much retired, so no job for him to lose.

However, they all recieved very negative coverage unlike they would've a decade ago. But I agree with you.

Roxie: Sharpton's saying they need to nip people like Imus in the bud before the precedent is set promoting misogyny and racism. His statement implicitly states that he doesn't believe there to be such a precedent. Thus, it indicates willful ignorance of the existing precedent set by...any guesses who? Chances are you've already filled in the blank yourself by now.
What?
They started the boycott in 2005, which is before this situation...so, I'm not sure what you're saying there.
The precendent was set in 1620.

[Roxie]

Commentary: Imus might be spark for debate on sexism
By Roland S. Martin
CNN Contributor
Editor's note: Roland S. Martin is a CNN contributor and a talk-show host for WVON-AM in Chicago.

No one would have thought that when Rosa Parks opted not to give up her seat to a white man in 1956, a dozen years later blacks would have the full right to vote, the ability to eat in hotels and restaurants and see Jim Crow destroyed.

We might look back in a few years and come to realize that the removal of Don Imus from the public airwaves put America on a course that changed the dialogue on what is acceptable to say in public forums.

The downfall of a long, successful and controversial career, on the surface, took eight days. But for Imus, this has actually been 30 years in the making. He has used his sexual and racial schtick to pad his pocketbook. Only this time, he ran up against a group of women who presented such a compelling story, his bosses couldn't ignore the reality of his sexist and racist rant.

Although the National Association of Black Journalists led the fight to oust Imus, there is no doubt that it was that moving news conference by the Rutgers University women's basketball team that cemented the demise of Imus. Vivian Stringer was poised and strong in demanding that America look at the 10 women and see them as the real face of Imus's slurs.

And that is really the issue we must focus on. So many people tried to make this a race issue. But for me, that wasn't the primary point. I never wavered from the attack as one of a sexist. It didn't matter that he was trying to be funny. He insulted a group of women who are already accomplished.

Then again, that happens to women every day.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, a New York Democrat, is smart and talented, but to many, she's nothing but an opportunist. She's called too aggressive, not cute and is slammed regularly. But she should be praised for being a woman who has achieved a lot in her career.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is portrayed as a bumbling idiot, but her academic credentials are impeccable. You can disagree with her ideology, but to question her womanhood is silly.

Women all across this country have to play by a different standard. They often make less than men, even when doing the same job; are accused of being too tough when they are the boss; and are treated as sexual objects.

America, we have a problem with sexism. Don't try to make this whole matter about the ridiculous rants made by rappers. I deplore what's in a lot of their music and videos, but hip-hop is only 30 years old. So you mean to tell me that sexism in America only started in 1977?

Now is the time for this nation to undergo a direct examination of the depths of sexism. My media colleagues shouldn't go just for the easy target ­ rap lyrics. That is no doubt a logical next step, but sexism is so much deeper. It is embedded in our churches, synagogues, mosques, schools, Fortune 500 companies and in the political arena. We should target our resources to this issue and raise the consciousness of people, and expose the reality.

Don Imus should not be the period. He can be the comma. Civil rights organizations, media entities, women's groups and others have an opportunity that they can't pass up. We have the chance to seize the moment to begin a conversation ­-- an in-depth one ­-- that has the opportunity to redefine America along the lines of race and sex.

I hope and pray that we have the courage to do so.

[RandomPasserby]

Btw. Roxie, it would be polite to comment the copypastes you make, not giving your thoughts and opinions about the pieces makes you look a single issue fanatic. Just a friendly tip which I have learned from a far larger board (and single issue fanatics are never look good).

[Sock Full of Boiled Dimes]

I haven't put a comment on the situation yet because I just find it so stupid. I personally think Imus is just an idiot and not racist. This has gotten way blown out of proportion and I really just think he should have apolligized to the team instead of some big public apollogy. It's like they look at this guy, for this ONE comment, and he is the biggest tool in the world. It just makes me sick inside and I have a big disdane for how Al Sharpton was taking this.

I get what he said was wrong, but we need to settle down and look at this without anger.

I just feel angry that sometimes the race card is pulled out every once and a while. I even think Bill Cosbey made a rant about how some black people were pulling out the race card to get whatever they want. That is so wrong.

Anyway, Imus is an idiot and not a racist. I feel that this got blown way out of proportion and the media is adding fuel to the fire and Al Sharpton.

This remindes me of a post I've read somewhere else about another guy's situation that is sort of connected to this:

ok, I figured before I begin drinking myself into oblivion I'd ask people who barely know me if what I did was wrong or not. I've been datin this girl for a lil bit now. She is black, I am mostly white, (keep the Eric comments to yourself, I've already laughed at the whole thing), and things have been ok. I don't care about anyones race/religion/skincolor/penis/lack of penis/having bothbits/political aspects. I've always seen people as people. If they can accept me for who I am then I let them be who they are. A few days ago Rutgers women basketball lost the championship and a shock jock by the name of Imus made a comment like, "nappy headed hoes". Personally I could care less, I've been called worse by my own parents but I saw this in the newspapers days before the whole thing turned into a big hunt. I watched, (well listened...shut up damnit), as he apologized and then was baited by some annoying bitch who obviously had alterior motives behind her call. Imus ended a sentance with, "I apoligized what more do you people want". All of a sudden him saying 'you people' became a big deal. It was a bad choice of words yes, but I doubt it was hateful.

I then had to contend with an angry black girl who saw him saying 'you people' as a direct offense to her. I dealt with it, I tried being supportive, and I even kept my own beleifs to myself becuase she never asked for my opinion on the whole deal. When she heard of a protest she wanted to jump at the chance but lacked a car. I was nice and told her I'd take her to it. let me write this one more time as I think it may be last in tranlation. I SAID I'D TAKE HER TO IT. For some reason as I woke up she made it a big point that I was to go with her and stay there for the whole thing. Stuck in a womans mindtrap I charged the DS and prepared for a long day of playing supermario 64. I wasn't planning on using it the entire time, but years of ducking out of things has made me very easily lost in a crowd when I needed to be lost.

When we arrived I got to meet some of her friends. I got the usual up and down looks like I had 2 heads. Then I was forced to be reminded repeatdly that my skin color was white. So even though I was there, it didn't really matter for I was white, and thus, I didn't count. Though it was really nice that I was there. The protests hadn't really begun yet when the group decided to sit around and chat about the whole thing. About their ideas on Imus. Also how they had been fired from jobs cause they were black. Not cause they had completely told off a customer and their managers in a same day. Then someone turned and asked my take on it. Having been stuck without a video game for 2 days and having to sit there and listen to these people rant my apathy gland practicly ripped itself into my throat at a chance to dismiss these people with as much venom as possible. I kept it down, though not completely. I stated the facts that what Imus had said was hardly anything compared to what most Talk DJ's had said over the years. How he had already apologized and that taking the words 'you people', which is a generalization of all people, not just the black community, and blowing it up this much was frankly overkill. I wished the man the best.

Well saying all this gave these nice angry black people a new focus for their rage, me. Suddenly I'm being berated by words like, "insensitive, no good, honky, white trash, cracker, fucker", and finally the word that really kicked my defenses into gear, "rascist". I was livid, no. That word is too weak. I was fucking pissed. I mean I went from not doing anything to walking away before I broke someones body. This made 2 girls chase after me. My girl, and the loudest of her friends. I shall name her 'fatty' for forum purposes. It was just too bad that my girl was not the one to get to me first. Fatty cut off my path of retreat, then continued on her rant on how my, "Ignorant cracker ass knows nothing about rascism. How it feels to be the minority. How it is to have hundreds of years of slavery in your blood. stupid white boy."
My answer to this, well that was simple enough. "I grew up in an all black and hispanic neighborhood. When I was in 4th grade I was the only white male. My entire class liked to make it a point that I was white. That I was different. I had to go home using the train tracks as a guide and then go through 2 other peoples yards. If I didn't then the bigger black kids would kick my ass for being white and walking down their street. Oh and as for the whole slavery thing, my blood is Jewish. What the hell would they know about slavery. After all the egyptians treated us like brothers when they asked us oh so nicely to build their pyramids for them". Yelling this was more then likely a bad idea. This made Kelly look at me and when her friends dismissed everything I had said with a "whatever white boy", and walked off she went with em. Again the minority, I went home and began to blast at pixels like there was no tommorow.

When I woke up today I have a message on my machine, she wants to talk to me tommorow. So now I'm stuck looking at myself and wondering if what I've said was wrong. If the fact that everything I had done was just a big fuck up. So guys and girls should I bother with the talk or not tommorow. My guy instincts say to blow the whole thing off, but I'm also halfway through my first vodka bottle.

[digable]

A few things, and I'll try to keep this brief and fresh so as not to beat this topic into the ground by contributing the same ideas and comments:

Nappy headed 'ho, with all the other connotations involved, is plain and simple an insult. A racially charged one, though. I don't believe it's racist language, but it has racial overtones.

I didn't read each and every post in this thread word-for-word, but no one is really mentioning Imus' tone when he made the statement, especially when you include what he said before the racially charged one. "Those are some hardcore ho's." That's an insult and set a negative tone for whatever he was going to follow with. It's very hard for "nappy headed ho's" not to be inflammatory following the first statement and his tone of voice.

As for Rosie O'Donnell and Mel Gibson:

I didn't see/hear/read what Rosie said, so I can't speak to that. Mel Gibson didn't say what he did live on the radio as a part of his job. I think he's still feeling the fallout of what he said and lost "friends" because of it, though. Didn't Barbara Walters says something like she wasn't his "friend" anymore? And yes, I know it's Barbara Walters. I think there are other examples like this, though. And yes, Imus' fallout is much more personal and will "hurt" him more. But those are the consequences for inappropriate language on public radio.

The Michael Richards situation is a little different and brings up the issue of double standards. Yes, there are double standards. Look at any comedian, and you'll see them. Blacks, whites, Asians, Middle Easterners, Arabs, Jews, the disabled--I've seen comics with all of these backgrounds and more make jokes about their backgrounds that no one else could get away with.

Speaking of double standards, I was listening to the Tom Joyner show on the way to work the other day, and they were talking about Imus and how what he said was wrong, but then in the next breath joked that they should hold a Million Nappy Headed Ho March to protest Imus. Imus defended his statement by saying it was part of a comedy bit. I can understand accusations of hypocrisy.

I'm sure Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have condemned rap lyrics and mysoginistic lyrics. But have they gone after specific artists? Have they rallied against and protested and boycotted a specific artist's music?

I don't know. I haven't heard anything of the sort. But doesn't mean it hasn't happened. If it has, why haven't I heard about it? I'm plugged into all sorts of news outlets. Yeah, I understand accusations of hypocrisy.

[Roxie]

Btw. Roxie, it would be polite to comment the copypastes you make, not giving your thoughts and opinions about the pieces makes you look a single issue fanatic. Just a friendly tip which I have learned from a far larger board (and single issue fanatics are never look good).
Well, this thread is about the single issue. I post the articles to keep the thread updated with the current fact, opinions, and debates w/o comment because I want the articles to speak by themselves. It's not as if I will withold my opinion! lol
Now, perhaps if I were posting these articles in other threads then I could see your point.
------------------------------------
Live by the sword, die by the sword...I definintly think this was a case of not thinking before speaking...but I have to wonder how you get to such a point where you believe saying such things would be okay? Not that he's nessecarily racist, but something's off, for sure.

He seems to make the same mistake over and over with this. you'd think after the actual comment was made he'd be more careful than to say "you people", which has a particularly ugly history behind it in the U.S. And sometimes not thinking before you speak can cost you and it did Imus.

What made people most angry, I think, is the fact MSNBC at first ignored it and it took a week for them acknowledge it. The silence was seen as acceptance.

Digable, I'm listening to the Sharpton show right now. He's not aganist a specific artist (why would he be?), he's aganist the misogyny and violence in the lyrics.

Google "1025 atlanta Grown Folks Radio" and you can listen live.

[Kaji]

I'd been trying to figure out the "you people" reference the whole time. You mean to say that the whole reason they aren't accepting his apology is because he used the common form of the second person plural pronoun in the Southern US English dialect? This bullshit is stinking more with each detail added to it.

[digable]

Roxie:

Al Sharpton confronted Imus for his racially charged and mysoginistic statement, and rightfully so. Why wouldn't he confront artists whose lyrics are offensive in the same way? I know he is against that sort of language in general terms. But why not call these artists out by name? Why not call for a boycott of their CDs? Or has he already done this? As I said before, I don't know. But I think this is the basis of the double standard argument and the hypocrisy argument.

Thanks for the link, btw. Can't listen now. At work.

[Roxie]

I'd been trying to figure out the "you people" reference the whole time. You mean to say that the whole reason they aren't accepting his apology is because he used the common form of the second person plural pronoun in the Southern US English dialect? This bullshit is stinking more with each detail added to it.
No, that's not what happend. They just got upset at him using it. They didn't say that they would not accept his apology b/c of it.

[Roxie]

Roxie:

Al Sharpton confronted Imus for his racially charged and mysoginistic statement, and rightfully so. Why wouldn't he confront artists whose lyrics are offensive in the same way? I know he is against that sort of language in general terms. But why not call these artists out by name? Why not call for a boycott of their CDs? Or has he already done this? As I said before, I don't know. But I think this is the basis of the double standard argument and the hypocrisy argument.

Thanks for the link, btw. Can't listen now. At work.
Sharpton not only confronted Imus, but he is very upset with the the networks as well for their (earlier) silence on the issue. In fact, when Sharpton started talking about this, he wasn't calling for Imus to be fired, the NBJ did. Sharpton is also upset at the first guy (whose name escapes me right now) who said "those are some hardcore hos"

Going after one artist would be like focusing on the tree when there's a whole forrest in front of you.
He has called for a boycott of such cds. I linked it earlier in the thread.

[Masa the Masta]

Found this in another forum by our own Akagaminosteven.

Thank you, Don Imus. You’ve given us (black people) an excuse to avoid our real problem.

You’ve given Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson another opportunity to pretend that the old fight, which is now the safe and lucrative fight, is still the most important fight in our push for true economic and social equality.

You’ve given Vivian Stringer and Rutgers the chance to hold a nationally televised recruiting celebration expertly disguised as a news conference to respond to your poor attempt at humor.

Thank you, Don Imus. You extended Black History Month to April, and we can once again wallow in victimhood, protest like it’s 1965 and delude ourselves into believing that fixing your hatred is more necessary than eradicating our self-hatred.

The bigots win again.

While we’re fixated on a bad joke cracked by an irrelevant, bad shock jock, I’m sure at least one of the marvelous young women on the Rutgers basketball team is somewhere snapping her fingers to the beat of 50 Cent’s or Snoop Dogg’s or Young Jeezy’s latest ode glorifying nappy-headed pimps and hos.

I ain’t saying Jesse, Al and Vivian are gold-diggas, but they don’t have the heart to mount a legitimate campaign against the real black-folk killas.

It is us. At this time, we are our own worst enemies. We have allowed our youths to buy into a culture (hip hop) that has been perverted, corrupted and overtaken by prison culture. The music, attitude and behavior expressed in this culture is anti-black, anti-education, demeaning, self-destructive, pro-drug dealing and violent.

Rather than confront this heinous enemy from within, we sit back and wait for someone like Imus to have a slip of the tongue and make the mistake of repeating the things we say about ourselves.

It’s embarrassing. Dave Chappelle was offered $50 million to make racially insensitive jokes about black and white people on TV. He was hailed as a genius. Black comedians routinely crack jokes about white and black people, and we all laugh out loud.

I’m no Don Imus apologist. He and his tiny companion Mike Lupica blasted me after I fell out with ESPN. Imus is a hack.

But, in my view, he didn’t do anything outside the norm for shock jocks and comedians. He also offered an apology. That should’ve been the end of this whole affair. Instead, it’s only the beginning. It’s an opportunity for Stringer, Jackson and Sharpton to step on victim platforms and elevate themselves and their agenda$.

I watched the Rutgers news conference and was ashamed.

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke for eight minutes in 1963 at the March on Washington. At the time, black people could be lynched and denied fundamental rights with little thought. With the comments of a talk-show host most of her players had never heard of before last week serving as her excuse, Vivian Stringer rambled on for 30 minutes about the amazing season her team had.

Somehow, we’re supposed to believe that the comments of a man with virtually no connection to the sports world ruined Rutgers’ wonderful season. Had a broadcaster with credibility and a platform in the sports world uttered the words Imus did, I could understand a level of outrage.

But an hourlong press conference over a man who has already apologized, already been suspended and is already insignificant is just plain intellectually dishonest. This is opportunism. This is a distraction.

In the grand scheme, Don Imus is no threat to us in general and no threat to black women in particular. If his words are so powerful and so destructive and must be rebuked so forcefully, then what should we do about the idiot rappers on BET, MTV and every black-owned radio station in the country who use words much more powerful and much more destructive?

I don’t listen or watch Imus’ show regularly. Has he at any point glorified selling crack cocaine to black women? Has he celebrated black men shooting each other randomly? Has he suggested in any way that it’s cool to be a baby-daddy rather than a husband and a parent? Does he tell his listeners that they’re suckers for pursuing education and that they’re selling out their race if they do?

When Imus does any of that, call me and I’ll get upset. Until then, he is what he is — a washed-up shock jock who is very easy to ignore when you’re not looking to be made a victim.

No. We all know where the real battleground is. We know that the gangsta rappers and their followers in the athletic world have far bigger platforms to negatively define us than some old white man with a bad radio show. There’s no money and lots of danger in that battle, so Jesse and Al are going to sit it out.


I read the thing Number17 posted. I thought that was interesting as well.




I also find it interesting that it's a whole lot more popular for people to raise a stink over a racial comment directed to blacks, but it's almost okay to say stuff about latin americans or middle easterners right now, given both the illegal immigration and the terrorism debates. The media unconsciously dehumanizes people to "the enemy".

I say this because amongst my friends, I hear no one raising a political correctness stink anytime someone talks about a 'raghead', 'sand nigger', or 'camel jockey' and how they hate them and want to massacre them.

I've met people who didn't know I was Mexican and said awful stuff in front of me. I let people kick their own asses when they figure it out and feel their own guilt.


So as far as racism and not being able to understand it from a Black's point of view? Probably not, but it's still awful being a recipient, even if it's not exactly the same. African american bashing is just more taboo.

[Trump]

Roxie, that last article you posted (Roland S Martin) is just outright ridiculous.

Propoganda at its finest, nothing but opinion, zero fact. "there is no doubt that it was that moving news conference by the Rutgers University women's basketball team that cemented the demise of Imus." Holy crap, where does he get this stuff.... Why did you even post it? What does it really add to the debate except more stupidity? It just someone else's highly biased opinion.

And actually, that comment is totally wrong. That news conference did not cement anything, it just opened the door for everything. Imagine if they had been mature in that news conference? "The man said something insulting. I'd love an apology. Regardless, I'm moving on with my life because it was just a comment and I don't really care. Good bye." Instead they amplify the situation, drum up the fanatics even more, and create a national scandal. Holy crap...

This is the stupidest thing this side of not letting that UAE port deal go through. The populice is full of ignorant morons.

[Jetsetlemming]

Getting offended over "you people" is the most retarded thing I've ever heard. Getting a racial anger over "you people" is far stupider than "nappy-headed hos". Good lord, it's the plural of "you"! It has NO racial overtones at all! Why people decide to get offended by it is beyond me, because never in the history of mankind has it every been used in real life as a racial insult. FFS, there are a million and one racist words, terms, and phrases. "You people" just fucking isn't one of them.

[Plekto]

Sen. Hillary Clinton, a New York Democrat, is smart and talented, but to many, she's nothing but an opportunist. She's called too aggressive, not cute and is slammed regularly. But she should be praised for being a woman who has achieved a lot in her career.

It should read "...but she should be praised for being a *person* who has achieved..."

It's unfortunately very hard to stop seeing people in terms of their gender. Much moreso than race or religion or anything else I can think of(possibly Japan vs foriegners would be a close tie)

[Roxie]

Why did you even post it?
Cause I've been posting most, if not all, my articles from cnn??
Getting offended over "you people" is the most retarded thing I've ever heard.
No one said it was a racist phrase. It's a discriminatory phrase. Unless it's been used towards you (or someone you know) in that way, it's kinda hard to understand but it kind of feels like someone saying "you complete and opposite mass of borg like others that do not belong and are not part of 'us'"..It can be quite an alienating phrase.

[Jetsetlemming]

Cause I've been posting most, if not all, my articles from cnn??

No one said it was a racist phrase. It's a discriminatory phrase. Unless it's been used towards you (or someone you know) in that way, it's kinda hard to understand but it kind of feels like someone saying "you complete and opposite mass of borg like others that do not belong and are not part of 'us'"..It can be quite an alienating phrase.
The way you interpret it (an entirely idiotic and stupid way) is 100% different from the way it's said. Nobody uses "you people' as a "discriminatory" or "borglike" way.

[Roxie]

Jestet, what in the blue fuck?
I've not personally insulted you here. What's your problem? Just b/c you disagree with the interpretation? Trust me, I am far from alone in interpreting it in that way.

You can disagree and that's fine, but my interpretation is far from "an entirely idiotic stupid way"

Also, congrats on knowing everyone in the world who has ever lived knowing everything they have ever said throughout history. Oh and thanks for debunking my own personal experiences with discrimination and informing me that they didn't happen as I remember them--I mean, you must've been there recording right? Cheers.

[Jetsetlemming]

Interpreting "you people" as a racist of discriminatory comment goes hand in hand with the "acting like a victim" behavior that Cosby and the article posted twice in this thread talks about. It's bending the intended meaning to suit your own view that you're being descriminated against when that's absolutely untrue.

[Roxie]

Omg Jetset, did you know that some people actually use that phrase in a discriminatory way on purpose? Yeah, they do. It happens!

Did I say it was ALWAYS used in such a way? No.
Did I say Imus was using it that way? No.

It's just like the way the word "boy" has been used when referencing an obviously grown man.
On it's own, it's harmless, but it has a history of racism, prejudice, and dominance behind it--just like "you people"

Amazing, I know! But yes, it happens some times and when it is used, what I described is what people feel. You don't understand. sympathize nor empathize. That's fine. It doesn't mean you're stupid or idiotic, it just means you have a different experience, but to tell me that my interpretation is stupid and idotic and that nobody uses that phrase that way is truly stupid and idotic.

[Masa the Masta]

I don't think it's fair to pull the "You don't understand what it's like" card, because some people REALLY don't. How can you expect to argue something someone can't comprehend? At least offer alternative examples and points of understanding.


I just think while I don't doubt "Nappy headed hos" was called for in stepping back and saying, "Whoa, hold on now.", I think a lot of people are quick to judge on the "You people" thing. Imus wouldn't be THAT stupid, and just because he said something that is a little more ambiguous, which can be taken either racially or not, doesn't mean you guys have to be quick to jump the gun with, "See! Look what he said!" That only proves how far you're willing to go just to pull the racism card.




I like how when other posters bring up interesting points, examples, and points of view, the opposing side doesn't even acknowledge it. I think people from BOTH sides brought up very valid arguments, but it seems the not-so African American point of view is being ignored on a lot of fine points.


Like mine. :bang:

[Jetsetlemming]

I have plenty of experience being descriminated against, and hearing racism in general. I've never once heard "you people" used in anything near a racist context, or any story in real life of someone using "you people" racistly. Just asinine people taking it out of context so they can use it as an excuse to label someone racist.

[Roxie]

I don't think it's fair to pull the "You don't understand what it's like" card, because some people REALLY don't. I know that....I wasn't making fun. I meant it seriously when I said "you had a different experience".
I think a lot of people are quick to judge on the "You people" thing. Imus wouldn't be THAT stupid, and just because he said something that is a little more ambiguous, which can be taken either racially or not, doesn't mean you guys have to be quick to jump the gun with, "See! Look what he said!" That only proves how far you're willing to go just to pull the racism card.
I never said he was saying it in a racist way. In fact, I think he wasn't, but it was stupid of him to let that phrase fall out of his mouth when discussing such a "sensitive" topic.
I have plenty of experience being descriminated against, and hearing racism in general.
Never said you didn't.
I've never once heard "you people" used in anything near a racist context, or any story in real life of someone using "you people" racistly.
So, if you've never heard of anything happening that means it hasn't happend and is asinine?

[Black fist]

Roxie you're are more and more reminding of radical black parties with how you are more hostile than the person in generally who the comment was directed to.

[Roxie]

how am I more hostile? He called my interpretation idotic and stupid and basically flat out said that no one has ever used the phrase in that way--which bey default invalidates any experience I may have had, and I'm hostile?
I say, "hey, we disagree and that's fine, but it's not cool to say this has never happend" and I'm hostile?

that's some topsy turvy stuff right there.

[Black fist]

No I'm referring to what you was saying earlier before Jet.

[Roxie]

I've said alot of things before Jet, so could you quote me?

[Angelyne]

Mother and daughter make out on radio show for 60 seconds to win backtages passes to a Larry the Cable guy show (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrgPFdKpNHw&eurl)

Incest = okay
"Nappy-headed ho" comment = OMG KILL HIM

[Masa the Masta]

I never said he was saying it in a racist way. In fact, I think he wasn't, but it was stupid of him to let that phrase fall out of his mouth when discussing such a "sensitive" topic.



If even you didn't think he said it in a racially charged way, why bring it up?? I'm sure 99% of the people who listened to him say that also know he didn't mean it racially. I'm trying to say that it sounds like people are really acting oversensitive to these kinds of things, and that it's starting to look a little dumb now.


Yes, I'm sure every african american has their stories of how racism has affected them. I don't doubt that at all, and I empathize with that as a fellow minority. But does it really hurt/offend you guys more to be called such-and-such term, more than it hurts someone like me to be called beaner/spic/border hopper in my own face?


For you guys to decide that, you'd have to experience both respective racisms.

[xinster]

Btw, Imus has donated MILLIONS to aids kids. hes pretty cool guy.

[Masa the Masta]

Well the african american community and people who are overly PC (not just the muscle) are willing to look past the charitable things he's done in the past.

Instead of going, "FOR YOUR CRIMES, YOU NEED TO DOUBLE YOUR CHARITY EFFORTS", we kick the guy in the ass and lose out on future charity.


Yeah. Real progress, America. (We have come ways from the days before, but we ain't as progressed as the surface implies)

[Roxie]

If even you didn't think he said it in a racially charged way, why bring it up??
I didn't bring it up out of thin air. it was brought up in a conversation....i'm saying it was another dumb thing for him to say.



Yes, I'm sure every african american has their stories of how racism has affected them. I don't doubt that at all, and I empathize with that as a fellow minority. But does it really hurt/offend you guys more to be called such-and-such term, more than it hurts someone like me to be called beaner/spic/border hopper in my own face?
No...and I don't recall anyone in this thread say anything to that affect.

[Jetsetlemming]

So it's "dumb" for him to use a couple words with no racial meaning or overtones, because a couple people out of a billion are willing to use those simple words used by everybody to describe a group in the second person (yous is improper english) to act like the user is racist? That's like accusing someone using "the pot calling the kettle black" of racism, or someone eating "black angus" beef of racism, or accusing someone who comes from Nicaragua or Niger of racism.

[Roxie]

So it's "dumb" for him to use a couple words with no racial meaning or overtones, because a couple people out of a billion are willing to use those simple words used by everybody to describe a group in the second person (yous is improper english) to act like the user is racist? That's like accusing someone using "the pot calling the kettle black" of racism, or someone eating "black angus" beef of racism, or accusing someone who comes from Nicaragua or Niger of racism. Did you hear the show? Cause I heard the show.
Imus, knew how that phrase has been and can be used, which is evidenced by his saying "Oh, you know that's not what I meant!"

So, if he knows how the phrase has been and can be used to alienate others, why would he use it when on a show to talk about his racially negative and sexist comments? It just was not a smart move.

It doesn't mean I think he's a secret KKK member or anything, just that he doesn't do much thinking before he speaks.

[xinster]

this is getting out of hand

[Digital Masta]

this is getting out of hand

Which why I stopped long ago.

[Roxie]

POSTED: 10:46 p.m. EDT, April 13, 2007
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The Rutgers University women's basketball coach said Friday her players have accepted radio host Don Imus' apology for racist and sexist comments toward the team and they are "in the process of forgiving."

"We still find his statements to be unacceptable, and this is an experience that we will never forget," said coach C. Vivian Stringer.

Imus met with the Rutgers athletes Thursday night hours after CBS fired him for calling the players "nappy-headed hos" in a broadcast last week. (Watch Stringer discuss what happens next )

"These comments are indicative of greater ills in our culture," Stringer said. "It is not just Mr. Imus, and we hope that this will be and serve as a catalyst for change."

She said it was time for Americans "to all hold ourselves to a higher standard."

"I personally am looking forward to joining forces with other people who want to bring about change for the right reasons," the coach said.

The decision to accept Imus' apology was the result of a vote taken at the end of the meeting, a source who was at the session said Friday.

The source said some of the players spoke to Imus and his wife, who was crying, and asked "Why us?"

"Because the players played rough," the source said Imus replied.

In her statement, Stringer commented on how Imus acted during the meeting.

"I thought that he was expressive of himself, that he shared with us the context in which it happened," she said. However, she added, that does not absolve him of what he did.

Stringer emphasized Friday that the basketball team had never called for Imus to be fired.

"It would sadden me for anyone to lose their job," she said. "And he came [to the meeting] in spite of the fact that he lost his job. So let's give him credit for that."

CBS 'deeply upset'
CBS' decision to dump Imus came a day after NBC Universal decided to cancel his TV simulcast on MSNBC cable channel and followed nearly a week of cries for the firing of the radio host.

"I believe all of us have been deeply upset and revulsed by the statements that were made on our air," said Leslie Moonves, CBS president and chief executive officer, in a statement announcing the decision. (Watch what led to CBS' decision )

CBS, which carried Imus on 61 radio stations, initially had said it would suspend his show for two weeks.

CNNMoney.com reports "Imus in the Morning" generated about $20 million in revenue last year, about 1 percent of CBS Radio division's total. (Full story)

Wife: 'Hate mail must stop'
The Rutgers team -- including the 10 players, their parents, coaches, administrators and religious leaders -- met with Imus at the New Jersey Governor's Mansion in Princeton.

Imus' wife, Deirdre, who filled in for him on a radio fundraiser Friday morning, also attended the meeting with the basketball team.

"They gave us the opportunity to listen to what they had to say, why they are hurting, and how awful this is," she said. "I have to say that these women are unbelievably courageous and beautiful women." (Players talk of hurt, seeking understanding)

She added, "The hate mail that's being sent to them must stop. This is wrong. If you want to send hate mail, send it to my husband."

Asked about the hate mail Friday, a team spokeswoman told The Associated Press there had been "two or three" negative e-mails, but that the team had also received "over 600 wonderful e-mails."

About half the people asked in a recent poll conducted for CNN by the Opinion Research Corporation had unfavorable views of Imus. Among African-Americans, 45 percent had a negative view; 51 percent of whites polled felt unfavorbaly toward Imus. The poll was conducted by telephone April 10-12 among 1,218 adults. (Poll results)

Imus: 'I've apologized enough'
Amid the outcry over his on-air racial slur, Imus said Thursday that he had "apologized enough" and that he will not go on "some talk-show tour." (Gallery: Other controversial comments aired on Imus show)

"I'm not going to go talk to Larry King or Barbara Walters or anyone else," Imus said on his flagship station in New York, WFAN-AM, which is owned by CBS Corp. and distributed "Imus in the Morning" nationally.

"The only other people I want to talk to are these young women at the team, and then that's it," Imus said.

Imus' disparaging remarks about the Rutgers players prompted eight companies to pull their ads from his show: Staples, General Motors, Sprint Nextel, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, PetMed Express, American Express and Bigelow Tea. (Vote: Is Imus' career over?)

Sharpton: 'No champagne bottle popping'
The Rev. Al Sharpton had pressured CBS to cancel Imus' morning show, but the issue "was never about Don Imus," he said Thursday.

"It was about the misuse of the airwaves," he said. (Watch a presidential candidate name other hosts who should be fired )

"We cannot afford a precedent established that the airwaves can be used to commercialize and mainstream sexism and racism. But there will be no champagne bottle popping by those of us involved in this. This is not about gloating."

Sharpton said he wants to show the media and the public that it is not necessary to "be misogynist and racist to be creative or to be commercial in this country." (Watch an analysis about impact of Imus controversy on airwaves )


As far as I'm concerned, that's the end to this chapter.

[Digital Masta]

The Rutgers University women's basketball coach said Friday her players have accepted radio host Don Imus' apology for racist and sexist comments toward the team and they are "in the process of forgiving."

"We still find his statements to be unacceptable, and this is an experience that we will never forget," said coach C. Vivian Stringer.

This kind of bugs me..."in the process of forgiving" , "this is an experience that we will never forget"...

Get over it...

This is not going to effect these girl's OR the coach's lives in any way. Next season nobody is going to care. This isn't the Duke lacrosse boys who are tainted for the rest of their life even though they didn't do anything.

[Kaji]

Imus, knew how that phrase has been and can be used, which is evidenced by his saying "Oh, you know that's not what I meant!"

That, or he's perceptive, and saw that Sharpton was about to release another volley on a perfectly innocent pair of words. Once again, if you personally didn't feel the words had any racial meaning, then why harp on them?

No...and I don't recall anyone in this thread say anything to that affect.

Bullshit, you say it every time you go on about how the rest of us don't know what it's like because we're not black. Get over yourself.

[Roxie]

That, or he's perceptive, and saw that Sharpton was about to release another volley on a perfectly innocent pair of words. Once again, if you personally didn't feel the words had any racial meaning, then why harp on them?
I'm not harping on them. It's been brought up in thread convo twice and I responded each time. People ask questions, so I answer. It's really not a big deal to me, I just think he should've been smarter than to say that. Is it really that hard to do?


Bullshit, you say it every time you go on about how the rest of us don't know what it's like because we're not black. Get over yourself.
THAT IS B U L L S H * T !
I would never, ever, ever say anything like that! Quote me. I want to know where I said "you can't ever know what it's like to be discriminated aganist because you're not black." Quote me where I compared other peoples tragedies and then told them that there's wasn't as significant. QUOTE ME PLEASE!
You don't know shit about me Kaji and you've never asked. You think this is the only issue I got on my plate? You think this is the only issue I'm passionate about? You think I'm that two dimensional? Are you that dense?

You want to know how I feel or think about something, ask. But don't sit here and make up completely false b/s assumptions, cause I guarentee you've got it all wrong.

Next time you want to make an accusation like that, pm me, kay?

[stsparky]

Are we done here? There's a difference between Imus' public face and his private one. Either he'll change his on-air personality or he won't. The charities he supported will likely not find another patron like him. Sharpton and Jesse can continue coming to Hymie-town (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson#Remarks_about_Jews) and act like idiots everyone else sees that they are. The reason this idiotic story had legs is that the girls were not famous as individuals.

[Mastiker]

Are we done here? There's a difference between Imus' public face and his private one. Either he'll change his on-air personality or he won't. The charities he supported will likely not find another patron like him. Sharpton and Jesse can continue coming to Hymie-town (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson#Remarks_about_Jews) and act like idiots everyone else sees that they are. The reason this idiotic story had legs is that the girls were not famous as individuals.

Aw damnit, after reading that Jesse Jackson was involved I wanted to say Hymie Town first ^.^ Well, with the comment I was gonna make gone, I suppose I'll just drift out of this conversation. Don't know enough about racial tensions to say anything constructive :innocent:

[Angelyne]

Where's the mass outrage over this? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6556643.stm)

[Mastiker]

Where's the mass outrage over this? (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6556643.stm)

Because it's not a case of the white man bringing down the blacks.

...

Oh wait, IT IS! Ha. :duh:

Well, it's because it's Europe. Nobody cares about Europe. Not even Europeans. Silly Europe. Thinking it's important. :rolleyes:

Seriously though... the reason there isn't mass outrage is because the majority of Americans don't notice what goes on over in Germany - but they sure as hell notice when some no name shock jock says a slighty racy comment and then apologizes.

Holy crap, I don't even know if that last sentence was satire or genuine. Maybe a combo of both?

Fuck, our country's population has it's attention so out of whack.

[RandomPasserby]

Holy crap, I don't even know if that last sentence was satire or genuine. Maybe a combo of both?


Nah, it was German's own little war on terrorism scandal. Same kind of posing as in Abu Ghraib(or what ever that jail was called) or someone's posing next to a dead taliban.

[kilreli]

go forward and let the healing process begin.
:rofl:
healing process? what healing process?!

:mario:

[Angelyne]

More hypocrisy (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6589019.stm)

How come the media isn't going apeshit over these racist comments?

[Jetsetlemming]

What about a prank call and "shrimp flied lice" is racist? O_o It's racist to prank call Chinese resturants, you're only allowed to do it to White-owned ones?

[RandomPasserby]

What about a prank call and "shrimp flied lice" is racist? O_o It's racist to prank call Chinese resturants, you're only allowed to do it to White-owned ones?
I would say a prank call with flied lice is more racist than nappy-headed hos. So it must be racist if it's more racist than what Imus did. I'm waiting for Roxie to demand that the djs are fired.

[Jetsetlemming]

What's racist about that? O_o Because it's mocking the name of a type of chinese food?

[RandomPasserby]

What's racist about that? O_o Because it's mocking the name of a type of chinese food?
It's about the racist stereotype about asians saying Rs as Ls. And making a prank call with that and apparently other stereotypes is on the same level as repeating with a Jar Jar Binks-accent what your black friend says. It is serious :|

[Roxie]

More hypocrisy (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6589019.stm)

How come the media isn't going apeshit over these racist comments?
I'd say VT?

[Angelyne]

I'd say VT?

From the article:


US radio DJs in fresh racism row

CBS head Leslie Moonves earlier acted against Don Imus

CBS Radio in the US has suspended two DJs for a prank on-air call to a Chinese restaurant using lewd language and ordering "shrimp flied lice".

The segment was first aired on 5 April, only a day after CBS broadcaster Don Imus called a women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" and was later fired.


Long before VT. Again, where was the outrage over this?

[Jetsetlemming]

Because I still don't see the racism in this. If it was a L to R joke, they would have said shlimp flied lice.

[Roxie]

From the article:




Long before VT. Again, where was the outrage over this?
However, the article is dated the 24th.
I'm not quite sure why you're expecting fairness from the media, though.

[ruaidhri]

Very interesting perspective by Leonard Pitts, columnist for the Miami Herald.

It's not what you say so much as the position from which you say it. It's wrong if its the strong against the weak. Interesting!

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07120/782103-109.stm

[Roxie]

It's wrong if its the strong against the weak. Interesting!
that's what bill maher said.

[stsparky]

Imus is going to sue CBS for 120 million as they violated his contract per ABC news and it's likely he'll win.

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2007/04/12/imus-cp-190007.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2007/05/03/imus-sue-cbs.html&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=1&ct=image&usg=AFrqEze7YsxvP5Vvz9lU5zXDcgMUUQUmmg)
Fired radio host Imus plans to sue CBS (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/04/AR2007050400654.html)

[Masa the Masta]

He'll win because he's ugly.

[Angelyne]

Imus is going to sue CBS for 120 million as they violated his contract per ABC news and it's likely he'll win.

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2007/04/12/imus-cp-190007.jpg (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.cbc.ca/arts/media/story/2007/05/03/imus-sue-cbs.html&sa=X&oi=news_result&resnum=1&ct=image&usg=AFrqEze7YsxvP5Vvz9lU5zXDcgMUUQUmmg)
Fired radio host Imus plans to sue CBS (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/04/AR2007050400654.html)

From the linked article:

Imus is expected to file a $40 million breach-of-contract suit against CBS next week, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Not sure where the $120 million figure came from.

[stsparky]

ABC news. -Sparky

[Beowulf]

I am so goddamn tired of morons like Imus/Howard Stern/"Carlos" Joke Theft (http://www.pistolwimp.com/media/57861/) Mencia.

"Oh I'm not PC so it's funny! DURRRRRRR!"

"Yeah sorry I just offended you and your culture, but I offend EVERYONES culture so that makes it okay!"

No it just makes you an incredible asshole...

[Black fist]

Imus looks like the crazy guy you pass on the way to the market who bust something totally out the ordinary.

[Black fist]

http://smartenupnas.com/2007/05/05/dl-hughley-dissing-rutgers-women/

[Kaji]

Amen, brother!