Imus apologized for "nappy-headed hos" remark
After reportedly defending his April 4 description of the Rutgers University women's basketball team, which is comprised of eight African-American and two white players, as "nappy-headed hos," on the April 6 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning, host Don Imus apologized for the remark. Imus called his comments "insensitive and ill-conceived," adding that "[i]t was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended." He further called the comments "thoughtless and stupid." Media Matters for America noted Imus' initial comments at the time.
According to an April 5 article on Imus' comments on the WNBC website, "Imus said people should relax and not worry about 'some idiot comment meant to be amusing.' "
From the April 6 edition of MSNBC's Imus in the Morning:
IMUS: Want to take a moment to apologize for an insensitive and ill-conceived remark we made the other morning referring to the Rutgers women's basketball team. It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended. Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid, so, and we're sorry.
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Who the hell televises a radio show?
What, no rehab?
If Keith doesn't have the balls to at least give him a worse or worser person in the world award, then I will be one angry Keith Olbermann fan
It won't happen lyn
It has been speculated here that Olberman may not be allowed to comment negatively in public about other MSNBC personalities -- either contractually or by policy. It is also possible that Olberman just doesn't want to do it, or is too chicken.
We probably won't know for sure, but it is unlikely Olberman will discuss other MSNBC personalities negatively in public.
Olbermann will not do it because he is a phony and a corporate whore.
I believe one reason Olbermann won't do it because Imus has said many times that he's a big fan of Countdown. I guess Olbermann doesn't want to ruffle Imus' feathers by putting him on his Worst Person in the World list. I do have to say Olbermann has never went after his other MSNBC colleagues such as Tucker, who has made many baseless, dumb claims in the past. I think Olbermann may be contractually prohibited at attacking any of his MSNBC colleagues. Otherwise, I think he would've added Imus, McGuirk and others a long time ago.
Doris, you really have a bee in your bonnet for KO. Haven't you ever worked in an office before? You can't directly attack the people who are your colleagues if you expect to have a job (in KO's case, to keep expressing his progressive message). Yeah, it's a tad hypocritical but you have to allow slack for the bigger picture to be accomplished (if, at least, we're to have some progressive voices in the MSM punditry team).
SAVE DEMOCRACY, VOTE FOR A DEMOCRAT!!
So where is the fine? So why isn't Imus after a rash of racial slurs is not banned to the satelite radio??
Anyone whom argues that the "Left-wing Media" dominates the media is a liar to themselves atleast, and anyone whom would listen!! The corporate media has completely devoted it's programing to a Republican agenda!
Happy Thoughts;
Dan Grady
He did apologize which is more then you can say for some other folks in his profession.
I agree. I won't try to read Imus' mind to determine if it was sincere or not. As far as I am concerned, when someone has the guts to apologize, I will not use the words/actions in question against the apologizer unless a pattern arises or can be demonstrated that seem to bely the apparent sincerity of that apology.
I don't know, maybe I just hold people's words to a sharper standard, but if this particlar cadaver was supposed to be apologizing to me, I wouldn't believe it...
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the 'apology' does not contain the word 'me' or 'I' or anything else that indicates the self (the transcription begins with an almost choking refusal to speak properly, by not saying "I want...", but instead just "Want...")...
...then it's "we made..." and "we can understand..." and "our characterization..." and finally "we're sorry"...
...which is an almost laughable avoidance of the words 'I' or 'me'.
And the only appraisal of the offensive remark, is that "it was completely inaproppriate".
'Inappropriate': That's a word you use to describe also a table setting, where the salad fork is on the wrong side of the plate... or when someone's standing in the express check-out lane at the market (12 items or less), and has at least twenty things in their basket.
'Inapproriate' doesn't imply anything's 'wrong', least of all racist.
Hasn't the pattern already been established? In fact, one of the participants here was previously fired from Imus's show for racist comments. And then Imus rehired him. Doesn't that speak to the sincerity of this apology?
You make a good point.
My natural reflex is to err on the side of forgiveness. Can't help that. All of that Christian upbringing and all.
[link to politicalhumor.about.com]
Agreed, an appolgy means something to me, as long as he undetakes NOT to repeat the same kind of behavior.
But you're saying that as if this is the first racist comment that Imus has had to apologize for. It's clearly not. These apologies don't mean anything. He's already a repeat offender.
[link to mediamatters.org]
True enough. I am willing to accept an appology even after a long history, it takes longer for some bigots to see the error of their ways than others. I am still willing to extend the benifit of the doubt. If he AGAIN, spews racist rhetoric, that will be a horse of a different color and his NEXT appology will not be so easily accepted by me.
Imus never apologized for his gutter white racism. At most, he apologized for making a generically offensive remark. The fool makes offensive remarks everyday, that's what he gets paid for. We draw the line when he makes a racist attack against our student athletes who deserve praise, not the ridicule of the Crypt Keeper.
Credit where credit is due: MSNBC did extort an apology from the perp. Sure doesn't seem completely voluntary, given the stance of the day before. I guess even Corporate Media must impose some limits, some of the time, on some of the a$$holes they employ to spread their manure.
What was the racial slur, I'm not following?
I'm seeing references to being 'racist' and 'racist slurs'?? If he had referred to a group of individuals as tight @$$ white crackers, would this comment have been labelled as racist? As a German, English, Irish American (I think that's what I am??) - I can tell you now....my feelings wouldn't be hurt and I certainly wouldn't label someone as a 'racist' (this is such a great label to attach to someone for purposes of whinning). What happened to freedom of speech? Are we free to speak as long as we don't refer to individuals as thugs......that look like thugs?
I watched a late night show two days back with Ice Cube. He was asked how he can create new rap records, when he really has nothing to angry about (he is now rich, with a family and small children - living the American dream). He stated that he can find things to be angry about.
Bravo!
Lost In America
Are you really this obtuse?
Or are you just the latest Freeper to come here just to yank our chains?
Assh*le.
What in blazes does Ice Cube's wealth have to do with the fact that Imus is a gutter white racist? Answer: Nothing. Who cares what white racists don't mind being called? Answer: No one.
That just makes you one of the good ol boys.
Wellp... one down and about a million to go... it's at least a start...
I am going to hold him to that. Apologies are only good if you sin no more.
Do any of you recall when he said MSNBC was pathetic except for his show? I can't recall if it was those exact words but it was insulting.
I thought I saw something on Olbermann's show about this Imus flap.
Imus is just covering his behind. He'll wait a little while, do it again at some point.
He's not sorry for what he said, just that he's getting called on the carpet for it. I'm waiting to see how long it will take before the N word flies out of his mouth. BTW, if anyone wants to send a complaint to the management of WFAN-AM, which produces the show, the GM's name is Chuck Bortnick and his e-mail is cbortnick@wfan.com.
How come that cold-hearted bastard McGuirk isn't apologizing? He's usually the one who exhibits such vile, sexist, homophobic, racist hate on the show, so I would’ve been more impressed if McGuirk did this in all sincerity than Imus. However, I'll accept Imus apology since I do believe in forgiveness, but he should've made that jerk McGuirk apologize, also!
McJerk is a loudmouth coward who hides in the studio. Reminds me of those cowardly Ku Ku Klucks who could only act tough under sheets and dunce caps.
Don, you and your associates are forgiven. Go and sin no more (or at least not until your next show, whichever comes first).
I hope they won;'t send anymore. Maybe there will be a Good Friday reflection but I have feeling that they will be back. MCguirk seems to have a real pathology. Maybe he was abused in that Black community that he survived and now all Blacks are some how the guys that abused him and he beleives rightly subject to scorn. That's the only way you could equate someone as eloquent and almost regal like Mya Angelou to a gansta rapper. I think for Bernie we are all one in the same.
I meant to say I hope they won't sin anymore
You bring up a good point, Lynn. I believe this is where the rancor comes from regarding McGuirk and his feelings towards blacks. I remember when one female journalist interviewed him on MSNBC and asked him about his background, he responded that he was raised in the projects in Queens, and was one of the few whites in a predominately black area. I think there's this deep resentment towards blacks because he was the minority and perhaps was ridicule and teased due to his whiteness which made him an outsider. He went on to say that being raised there toughen him up and he's proud of his background. If so why is there so much hatefulness towards black behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought? McGuirk has some unresolved issues with blacks and his way of dealing with these issues is to vent out his frustration by attacking anything remotely black on Imus’ morning program.
Blacks don't have to do anything to inspire white racist evil: the essence of a devil is hatred.
Thank you MMFA for telling everyone the story on Imus and his hate. Main stream local media covered it based on your posting. Thank you
I for one respect his apology. Now if he can only get rid of that stupid hat.
Sorry, apology not accepted. These scumbags did this little spiel on April 4, the day that Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Although the media coverage of his assassination was almost non-existent this year, I am sure that at least somebody at MSNBC, and at least somebody on the Imus show must be fully aware of this.
What is saddest of all is that these shows would not exist without listeners. Sure the advertisers support these shows financially (i.e. they aren't listener supported per se) but nobody wants to advertise to a vacuum. The sad thing is that when people like these make such hateful remarks, there are millions of Americans yuck-yuck-yuckin right along with them.
These kind of hateful, ignorant and racist people live among us and that makes me feel very dirty.
Scheusslich - nicht Schlämperei!
If Imus would have used the word "but" or "however" after his apology, I would to chime in and criticize him. I didn't hear either word.
He also didn't use the word "I".
I think the only reason that Imus made his apology is because the Natl Assoc. of Black Journalist called him on it. I can only hope that now he's on the radar hopefully Imus Bernie and Side (the drug addict) will refrain.
That Imus should be fired and brought up on charges of a hate crime. As well should his sidekick with the use of the word "j*g*boo" (which can't even be used here on MM).
Fire both of them and make them face charges.
The producer McGurk should be fired. He's been racist several times in the past and now he was sexist calling the girls "hardcore hoe's".
One thing to keep in mind here is that Imus rose out of the "shock jock" crowd, and has always relied on harsh, over-the-top statements for humor. Many of the things he says would be ridiculously offensive IF TAKEN SERIOUSLY; anyone who's familiar with his style knows that it's all in fun. He goes after everybody in sight -- his co-hosts, guests, and MSNBC included -- and everyone laughs it off. I personally find his show entertaining, and I'm a big fan. On the other hand, I can see why some people have a problem with his being on MSNBC; he might be better suited to satellite radio. Still, as they always say, if you don't like it, change the channel, and remember: as infuriating as the world is, a sense of humor is crucial to survival!
You said it very well. MSNBC should not be the arena to cover Imus. His homophobic and racist hate is a mainstay on that show. Why this man continues to attract the list of guests that he does is beyond me. I looked at the MSNBC website and Monday he has Tom Oliphant on , along with Evan Thomas. I have written emails to advertisers and personalities and politicians who visit that show.
What people need to do is to tell the politicians and pundits that appear with Imus that their submitting to the bullying of this sexist racist man is hurting their images. Especially people like Russert and David Gregory...don't let them keep on thinking that they are bring class to an otherwise classless program. What they are really doing is abetting the racism, sexism, and bullying that the show is really about. Email anybody that you used to respect after they appear on Imus and let them know that your regard for them has seriously diminished.
I really had enough of these so-called shock jock journalism shows. They have no redeaming qualities but to add fuel to an already complicated world. His comments were beyond over the top but unfortunately the "big business world of money" will tongue in cheek all the way to the bank ! Bottom line, he should be off the air and back with his horses !
You can complain to the FCC about Don Imus. I filed a complaint online. I may be contacting the NAACP and other organizations to see if they will follow suit in filing a FCC complaint - maybe if they get enough fines they will pull the show. Here's the link to the FCC: [link to www.fcc.gov] The company that owns wfan is [link to www.infinitybroadcasting.com<] it along. Let's get this show off the air!!!
I'm seeing references to being 'racist' and 'racist slurs'?? If he had referred to a group of individuals as tight @$$ white crackers, would this comment have been labelled as racist? As a German, English, Irish American (I think that's what I am??) - I can tell you now....my feelings wouldn't be hurt and I certainly wouldn't label someone as a 'racist' (this is such a great label to attach to someone for purposes of whinning). What happened to freedom of speech? Are we free to speak as long as we don't refer to individuals as thugs......that look like thugs?
I watched a late night show two days back with Ice Cube. He was asked how he can create new rap records, when he really has nothing to angry about any more(he is now rich, with a family and small children - living the American dream). He stated that he can find things to be angry about.
Bravo!
I just knew sooner or later there would be someone like Lost in America posting here and using the same ol' "Freedom of Speech" line to justify someone acting racist, homophobic and sexist. It reminds me when people defended Michael Richards, Mel Gibson and Isaiah Washington the same way: "It's freedom of speech and they have the right to say what they want! I’m so sick of this Liberal agenda persecuting people who speak their mind!"Yes, they have the right to spew all the hate they want, and we have the right to criticize them for their actions when their remarks are indeed intolerant. For you to even justify Imus' calling a predominately black female basketball team "nappy-headed hos," by acting oblivious and questioning why that comment was racist, is completely laughable. Since you're pretty out-of-tough when it comes to race issues, (or you’re pretending that these remarks aren’t racist while in fact you know they are), I'll try to inform you why many people found this offense: calling a black person's hair "nappy" is extremely racist by a white person because its judging the ethnic traits as unbeautiful, or bad, somehow in need of white correction. Having a couple of white guys laughing and mocking a strong feature in African-American identity and culture as "nappy" -- while calling the girls "hos" -- is not only racist, but misogynistic. Imus gives one the impression that those girls were only put there to satisfy the sexual desires of old white men, not to play basketball. Afterall, he did say the opposing team was “cute”.
Maybe you should walk up to one of your black friends -- if you have any, and if so, a black woman -- and call them a “nappy-headed ho;” see how the outcome will be since you think there’s nothing wrong with white men calling black women “nappy-headed hos,” and everyone here is acting like whiny, victimized, politically correct, sissy-acting liberals when they recognize a racist remark. God forbid that people were upset with Michael Richards telling a group of black hecklers that fifty years ago they would've been hanging in a tree, firing the N-word to them relentlessly. God forbid that Jews were angry with Mel Gibson and his anti-semantic remarks. And God forbid that people are finally fed up with Imus and his producer McGuirk who has a long history of making racist remarks. Even renowed journalist Clarence Page pleaded with Imus to stop using the racial jokes and playing audio clips of Amos N Andy. Oh, but I forget, we should carry thick-skin such as yourself -- a white man who is the least persecuted person in America -- and brush aside any comments that are made which attacks the self-esteem of minorities, those who've been told for centuries that they're not good enough and never will be good enough when measured to the white race. Boy, Gore Vidal was certainly right when he coined the term "The United States of Amnesia"
"Imus gives one the impression that those girls were only put there to satisfy the sexual desires of old white men, not to play basketball". I'm going to guess that you meant 'men' and not 'white men'? Is this correct or do I detect an under tone or dislike for particular sect of individuals ;]
My point here is that if this statement were made by someone other than a white guy - no one would care. Not sure if you listen to any rap songs, but I don't think the references to African American women in these songs is ever taken too seriously (it is all in fun right?) and they are 'much' worse. I'm tired of 'sensitive' America plain and simple. Most of my acquaintances(and my family) are Asian. I don't watch or listen to Imus anymore (because he seems very odd to me), but I don't think you call for someone's head based on some stupid comments. If I'm offended by an individual's statements (or lyrics), I don't listen to them anymore. I also don't call for their head on a platter and act like I have been personally attacked. I have some Irish in me, so I think I'm 'allowed' to say that I would be appalled if everytime a lucky charms commercial aired, all the Irish blogs out there were mad and asking for 'lucky' to be pulled off the commercials.
BTW - There are many in this coutry that were oppressed (not sure if you have seen the 'No Irish or Dogs' signs that used to be displayed outside bars), but we now live in the richest and most spoiled country in the world. Time for everyone to recognize this.
I am tired of ignorant racist America epitomized by the likes of Imus. MY opinion about what is spewed on airwaves that BELONG TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, will be heard. Snivelling that we should shut up and NOT criticise such racist ignorant garbage is ludicrous. The man asked for such criticism, you have no problem with racist, ignorant spewage like Imus spews like sewage but somehow are incensed that we have the nerve to criticise him for it. Man up, he has no free speech rights to act like a jerk then claim exemption for deserved criticism EARNED by acting like a racist jerk
Lost In America
If you don't like what we write here in reply to the uncontestably racist musings of Imus... then DON'T READ THEM!
Otherwise, F*CK OFF, assh*le!
I'm going to guess that you meant 'men' and not 'white men'? Is this correct or do I detect an under tone or dislike for particular sect of individuals ;] Actually, no, I meant exactly what I said in this context, “old white men,” not just “men.” I don’t care what you detect, when Imus and McGuirk have a long history of this type of behavior—even hiring sports pundits who degraded the Williams sisters in the same way—then I’m going to criticize it. You can psychoanalyze me all you want since I bare no “dislike” against anyone except people with white supremacy tendencies—or those who try to downplay the effects America’s racist past has had on minorities and how this history continues to condition them today. My point here is that if this statement were made by someone other than a white guy - no one would care. Bull. There been black people who’ve constantly criticized rappers for its misogynistic lyrics—I guess you don’t remember when Oprah Winfrey took Ludacris to task on her show about his degrading lyrics towards black women; how about the women at Spellman who protested to band Nelly performing at their college due to his vile, sexist lyrics; how about the tons of articles written in Ebony, Jet, Essence, etc., that condemned Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Nelly, Ja-Rule, 50 Cent, etc., for the content of their material? I guess black people for years in the media haven’t said a single thing about gangsta rap and its malcontent, huh? Give me a break! Even today scholars such as Michael Eric Dyson, Armond White, Robin D.G. Kelly, Rollin Martin, Mark Anthony Neal, Phillip Brian Harper, etc, write about the nihilism, homophobia and misogyny that dominates Hip Hop. You bring up the fact that you’re Irish and your people was discriminated against when they first arrived to this country; therefore just like blacks who were also mistreated—far more worse than the Irish, I should add—the current ones should get over it and move on. Yes, the Irish were treated harshly, but you seem to forget the fact how the Irish were finally accepted as “white” due to cultural assimilation and how they adopted white supremacy to move up the economic ladder of success. As Matthew Frye Jacobson, David Roediger and Scott L. Malcomson written in countless books, “whiteness” always meant success and privilege over others—especially African-Americans and Native-Americans. Toni Morrison said it perfectly in an interview with Time Magazine, “But in becoming an American, from Europe, what one has in common with that other immigrant is contempt for me -- it's nothing else but color. Wherever they were from, they would stand together. They could all say, ''I am not that.'' So in that sense, becoming an American is based on an attitude: an exclusion of me. It wasn't negative to them -- it was unifying. When they got off the boat, the second word they learned was ''n igger.'' Ask them -- I grew up with them. I remember in the fifth grade a smart little boy who had just arrived and didn't speak any English. He sat next to me. I read well, and I taught him to read just by doing it. I remember the moment he found out that I was black -- a n igger. It took him six months; he was told. And that's the moment when he belonged, that was his entrance. Every immigrant knew he would not come as the very bottom. He had to come above at least one group -- and that was us.”
[cont'd] America (and the world) is plagued with hidden racism. It's buried deep inside many people, but many Americans (and people all over the world) tend to NOT openly show it (whether they do so consciously or unconsciously). For example, being "White" in America is the implied "standard". That false social standard is a hidden racist mentality that has been gradually installed in the sub consciousness of people everywhere. Many people are not directly aware of it, because it is hidden and subconscious. In fact, the roots of the Whiteness paradigm can be traced back to Imperialism. As for Don Imus, I don’t want his head for what he said—neither do I want him to be fired. Sure, media clowns such as Sharpton is going to take this chance to show his mug on every news station imaginable just so he can be in the spotlight; then again, Sharpton is not our leader! I respected the fact that Don Imus apologized for what he said and didn’t try to justify his remarks. To be quite honest with you it’s not really Imus I have a problem with it’s that hateful, cold-hearted Bernard McGuirk that I pretty much can’t stand. I would’ve been far more satisfied if it was him who apologized and show some type of remorse than hiding behind Imus.
Please, anyone that cannot recognize the racist content of his comments is determined NOT TO. I have to wonder what kind of cretin appologizes for such racist trashtalk.There is no free speech issue here. Conservatives who keep bringing that up are the ones doing the whining. WWWAAAAHHHHHHH I should be have free speech rights to be as racist and churlish as I want WITHOUT criticism WAAAHHHHHH. Stop snivelling, no one arrested Imus for his racist trash so there is NO free speech issue involved. He opened his mouth, his inner bigot came pouring out and we are using OUR free speech rights to CRITICISE HIM. Imus has every right to be a bigoted moron and no one here has tried to take that away from him. WE are only excercising OUR free speech rights to point OUT he is a bigoted moron. Try to keep up.
i think that Imus has gone to far, he is very much in need of a some sensitivity training or something of that nature...his mouth is way out of line these days...i say fire him now...i have had enough of his mouth...i won't listen to his radio broadcasts...let alone watch him on msnbc. let his other business ventures, support his life style.
thanks for your time...feed-up /c Imus
I've been listening to Imus since he arrived in New York wearing OshKosh b'gosh overalls. His successful first show was followed by his no show for work the very next day. I've listened through all of his trips to re hab as well as his various successes in philahthropy to which I have gladly contributed. While Imus was, is, and probably will continue to be controversial and push the enveope, I am hard pressed t0 believe that in his heart of hearts he is racist. And yes, I've read editorial and opinion pieces in Newsday and elsewhere about his "racist" tendencies. But as one who marched on Washington, protested the Vietnam war and spent four days in the mud at Woodstock, I am hard pressed to believe that Imus is a racist. I guess what bothers me about this discussion is how easily words like "nigga" and "ho" slip off the tongues of rappers who enjoy huge success using these vulgarities. And yet where is the outcry? I don't expect to see it on MMFA; it's not the appropriate venue. However, the same people calling for Imus' head ought to be calling for the heads of all of these so called musicians who pride themselves on sending the absolutely wrong message to young, impressionable kids. Call his language barnyard, call it childish, even divisive. But to call him a racist? Like all of us left over 60s kids, I've grown up seeing too many church burnings and too many killings to equate Imus with being a racist.
I dont know or CARE if Imus is racist. I cant read minds nor hearts. What is clear, and hardly disputable is THESE COMMENTS WERE RACIST, and he deserves the criticism he is getting for them.
Imus and Howard Stern built billion dollar careers by making outrageous remarks. The media feigning shock at something Imus said is laughable. His perfunctory apology is classic,"Sorry I offended you and if that aint good enough...screw you."
I'm really tired of people saying that this was "all in fun" or that he "can't be racist" because he was a flower child. You'd be surprised at how many hippies became conservatives when they got older and acquired assets. Hey, Dave Horowitz was once a Marxist who hung out with The Black Panthers.
I could see if this happened ONCE and he went out of his way to atone for it, but the guy has a history of this sort of behavior. Even if it was in fun, and he didn't mean it to be an affront to black women, it still doesn't make it ok. There's nothing fun about racism. Making light of it just allows it to fester.
charges? of a hate crime? do you even know what a hate crime is? this is the kind of insane talk that comes out from some of you that makes people LAUGH at the left for even being up set about something like this. be reasonable and smart about what you say carolinacal, you sound much too harsh and cold for anyone to take you serious. you just dumbed down the entire conversation. imus maybe a bigot but its his show and if he gets fired for it or not punished is up to the employers, he certainly will not be arrested for anything. it is not illegal to be an idiot in this country.
Who cares whether white racists "LAUGH" at the Left? There's nothing funny and nothing to laugh about. The whole world is sick of white racist devils.
FRANKCHI, some very reasonable and smart comments regarding the Iman. there is double standard, and although they will always exist, i always just found it a little disengenious for the black community to not take notice and go after these musicians who do NOTHING but perpetuate stereotypes that just make the black community look bad. its one thing to be poor and rap about growing up and being a real artist, its another thing to be lower-middle class and just create a persona in order to sell records. they are not even good at what they do, there are good rappers and r&b artist out there who have something worthwhile to say, the rest are just losers trying to be edgy and sound cool, the NAACP should be going after all offenders not just the white people.
As a middle class white man, I've got to say that I am sick to death of hearing OTHER middle class white men defend clearly racist comments by RICH white men (such as Imus) by saying 'what about rappers? Why don't you focus all your attention on THEM?' It's like saying that its alright for a neighbor to use a bullhorn to spew profanity towards one particular family because you've heard them occasionally curse at one another. Its a false dichotomy that even severe brain damage doesn't excuse. If you can't differentiate between bickering WITHIN an oppressed group & the contemptible PUBLIC racist smirkings of someone enjoying the traditional historical & racial prerogatives of a member of an over class... well, it doesn't say much about your intellectual capabilities. It just reeks of someone who has come to expect a position of racial superiority & all that that entails.
Y'know, we're all faced on a daily basis with issues that are complex & subtle & extremely difficult to know which side to come down on. Such is life. This, however, is NOT one of those cases. This one is pretty simple, when you come down to it. This is either a case of some loud-mouthed, dimwitted clown who arrogantly assumes that he enjoys a privileged position of racial entitlement... or its not.
Now, think about it for a moment. Which side do you really come down on?
White racist devils own the commercial radio that promotes, rewards, and distributes self-hating rap. They are also the ones who keep conscious music off the airwaves. Both strategies are designed to maintain white supremacy and profit.
Would we be hearing self-hating rap on NAACP owned media? I think not.
That old lunger drunk should be sh*t canned. Take his sugar baby Dee Dee and fat fart Wyatt with him.
testing this site ....
Can anyone clear up the ambiguity of RUNNER in the previous IMUS report in which Meida Matters illustrates racist speech with the following:
On the Charlie Rose Show, regarding the NCAA "March Madness" basketball tournament, host Charlie Rose asked CBS sportscaster Billy Packer: "Do you need a runner this Final Four? Because I could jump on a plane and I could be there." Packer replied: "You always fagg out on that one for me. ... [Y]ou always say, 'Oh yeah, I'm going to be the runner,' then you never show up."
Runner can be merely an athelete metaphor here applied to the harried news reporter. What makes this speech racist and how are you sure?
I am a black man and I personally don't find "nappy" to be racist within itself. There are plenty of blacks who are "proud to be nappy". It is part of our identity. However, the problem really lies with calling these women "hos". Imus doesn't know anything about these women. Worse of all, the last person you would expect that type of comment is from a white man. Yes folks, there is a double standard. And anyone who knows our history knows it is a well deserve double standard. Knowing the history between blacks and whites, a white man shouldn't be SURPRISED of the retaliation he receives if he attempts to use terms like "nappy headed ho" or the n-word.
Now on to Imus. I only heard of Imus up until recently. From what I understand, he and his producer has a looooooong history of making bigoted remarks. If you know they have the history, why listen. Personally, I am the type of person that prefers the true bigots to say what they feel because it lets me know who they are.
Looks like my comments are not well taken here, which is fine - this is the web and conversation is a good thing (even if someone want to call me an @$$ hole ;]). My opinion, the guy is strange and I don't watch his show anymore (and his comment was idiotic). I know of a guy named 'Howard Stern' who does the same stuff and is completely sexist. Obviously, there are enough individuals of all races that watch and listen to Howard, so he is still on the air. I watched a couple of his shows and it got old quickly. I heard enough stupid comments, and I stopped listening. When a majority of the individuals in this country decide that he is not worth listening to, he goes away. My point here is that I will not impose my beliefs or otherwise on the public. If someone wants to get on the radio or television (or within lyrics) and spew hatred - my guess is that they won't be poular for very long. I 'personally would not stand up and state that I don't want to hear this anymore 'and' I don't think that anyone else should either. The guys an idiot, my guess is that his popuularity will fall based on stupid comments he makes, if not, doesn't effect my day.
In regards to double standards and rap artists - Ice Cube in this case. I understand that he doesn't forget where he came from....however, let's hear something about fixing the problem. I was in LA the last two weeks. Not sure I would sign up to be a police officer there. I'm also not sure that city would be much fun if everyone followed the 'F$#@ the Police' mantra that has been spewed, thrown out there, stated in music lyrics. At some point, society can only do so much to fix a problem (until they are told off).
I grew up ridiculously poor in this country, but I was able to break out of that. I work in a field where I'm now the minortiy (can you say IT and outsourcing). I know that my future depends on 'me' working hard and if I don't, I won't have a job for very long. I won't write into the paper complaining about outsourcing (because it is the reality now), I need to keep myself one step ahead of the competition (only way to move forward)
Lost In America, I have little to no respect for people such as yourself. Instead of realizing the damage that Imus words can have on these female basketball players, you instead become an apologist and pretend that there is no racial underlining when he called these innocent girls "nappy-headed hos." If there's one thing that makes me vomit more than overt racists are those who pretend racism doesn't exist. (Especially those who'll say hyperbolic garbage such as "We live in the greatest country in the world, we're so spoil, we have nothing to whine about, blah, blah, blah.)
Racism will continue to exist not because of overt racists, but because of people like you, when confronted with overwhelming factual evidence and history, will continue to downplay racism as unimportant; and it is because you choose to downplay it that makes you more likely to practice it, since you simply do not care. Your lack of feeling and lack of human value towards other races is the very reason why you have chosen to be ignorant of history. It is only through learning about the roots of the racial paradigms that exist today will people ever gain the human sensitivity towards other races.
By knowing the roots of racism, people will actually begin to see the sufferings of other cultures and they will also know why historically oppressed / enslaved cultures are at a severe psychological disadvantage today. And it is through that understanding of other culture’s sufferings caused by European Imperialism will people be able to gain the honesty and humanity to fight racism in today’s' world.
Sadly, since you have chosen to be ignorant, you have become apathetic. And because of your apathy, you are consciously or subconsciously participating in the maintenance of hidden racism in today's society.
Imus apologized, he recognized his mistake, and now he’s attempting to correct it. But moving the attention from him and placing the blame on someone else is not only disingenuous on your part, but just plain idiotic.
Imus is one of those self-perceived American elitists who views current-day blacks and other minorities as fodder for ridicule and insult. He's one of those people - and there are many closeted ones as well - who view blacks in the same way the slave holders and racists viewed them years ago: as things u can just say anything to, do what you want, shove your penis into, spit upon, deny their humanity, assault their character, or otherwise abuse. Sorry there, chiefy, it's not like that, and it was never supposed to be that way to begin with.
A modern world - indeed - a modern America, has no place for this type of commentary. On the one hand, Imus and like minded people should join clubs where they can talk all the crap they want behind closed doors. Their perspectives would be isolated as would their progress.
Still, it's important to know that these people are out there. So, let them talk. Let them spew their filth. Let the world see their ignorance. It will hasten their irrelevance.
"A modern world - indeed - a modern America, has no place for this type of commentary. On the one hand, Imus and like minded people should join clubs where they can talk all the crap they want behind closed doors. Their perspectives would be isolated as would their progress."
Wow, who will decides what content should only be discussed in these 'clubs'?
'anyone who knows our history knows it is a well deserve double standard'
White racist devils own the commercial radio that promotes, rewards, and distributes self-hating rap
- Looks like I'm a horrible person and wasn't even aware of it, good luck with all of this.