It brought me great joy watching Don Imus sweat buckets on the Al Sharpton radio program and not necessarily because I was incensed by the cowboy hat-wearing talk show host’s unkind remarks about Rutgers’ women’s basketball team.
Imus’s “nappy headed hos” comment was unpleasant and ugly but not the stuff that should cost a man his livelihood, particularly when many of those screaming the loudest have their own soiled record on race relations.
Human beings make mistakes and when they speak without a script on a live microphone hundreds of hours a year, some sort of slip of the tongue is bound to happen.
But this is the game Sharpton and Jesse Jackson play in which individuals can lose everything they worked for wiped away by an errant comment.
But Imus merited the rough treatment he got from Reverend Al, not for the “unpardonable sin” of his controversial comments but for foolishly seeking absolution from one of this country’s most notorious race baiters.
Did Imus really think Sharpton was going to take a pass on exploiting the besieged radio personality’s prominence as a platform for Sharpton to seize whatever shreds of relevancy he can after his embarrassing presidential bid?This is the same “preacher” who made a name for himself defaming a New York assistant district attorney during the Tawana Brawley media fiasco.
When Sharpton trotted out his daughter and asked him if he thought she fit the words he used on his now infamous broadcast, Imus should have realized he was being set-up.When the words “you people” accidentally left his lips, Imus should have just walked out.
Actually he should not have walked inside Sharpton’s studio in the first place.
Imus’s willingness to appear on Sharpton’s show was the equivalent of a chicken contracting out to a weasel for coop protection.For indirectly trying to make a demagogue like Sharpton out to be some kind of moral arbiter, Imus got what he deserved.
On to the campus of RutgersUniversity, where the administration is throwing their own hissy fit over Imus’s comments in which university president Richard McCormick stated, “It is unconscionable that anyone would use the airways to utter such disregard for the dignity of human beings who have accomplished much and deserve great credit.”
Wow.I’ve been waiting two and a half years for Rutgers’ leadership to be offended by language that is derogatory towards women especially after a mathematics professor at the university, sent me a threatening e-mail in response to an unkind yet non-vulgar column on John Kerry in which this professor talked about how his dog caught v-d after raping my mother and that I should die painfully in the near future).
After TownHall.com writer Mike S. Adams did a column on the matter, numerous e-mails were sent to the Rutgers’ administration complaining about the professor’s antics.One of those who took issue with a taxpayer-supported prof sending out such a vile communication was a rape victim from North Carolina who objected that the violent act of sexual assault was bantered around as if it were a schoolyard insult.
That young lady received the following reply from the office of President McCormick:
I am responding to your recent message about an e-mail quoted in a
column on townhall.com.
The author of the quoted e-mail did not identify himself as being
associated with or acting on behalf of Rutgers. The message was private
correspondence, sent from a private e-mail account.
RutgersUniversity is committed to civil discourse and the open but
respectful exchange of ideas on its campuses.
So calling a bunch of 6 feet tall, inked up female athletes “nappy hos” is unconscionable but having some lunatic on staff threaten one’s person and make comments about sexually violating my mother is civil discourse.
And it seems that in Rutgers’ eyes rape victims offended by Dr. Levitt’s language need to just get over it.
If you ever needed to see a classic example of hypocrisy in the ivory tower, President McCormick is an outstanding representative of the double-standard that liberals use to measure rhetoric, in which hate is only a family value when it’s directed at conservatives.
Now that a couple of weeks have passed since the "firing" we have had time to look at what really happened.
Imus may have been on thin ice for longer than we know.
It is a fact that Bernard appeared as the mayor of New Orleans numerous times since the Katrina catastrophie. No one, including Ray Nagyn objected.
It is a fact that Imus was critical of the way our soldiers are being treated by various hospitals; and exposed the poor treatment. This may have caused the firings of a few administrators. This probably embaresssed and angered the Bush administration among others inside the beltway.
I suspect that someone with political clout contacted the network bosses and wanted Imus's head.
When Imus made his remarks about the Rutgers team, the powers that be saw the chance to use black "leaders" to jump on him.
Imus had no sacred cows, and had not discriminated in any way with who he made comments about. He had no political or racial or religious preferences. Cardinal Egan, Bill Clinton, Omar Miniya (sp), Brian Wilson, George Bush, Jerry Falwells among other characters played by Rob Bartlett.
He also called mentally retarded people "mouth breathers" No one complained about him picking on those "innocent people". They would be more "innocent" than the Rutgers team".
He also made fun of himself and members of his family. Everyone was fair game. He would dish it out, but he could take it too. Deidre Imus, Terry Bradshaw, David Gregory and others were known to poke at him. Charles, his sidekick, also kept him grounded.
Imus does not suffer fools gladly. Unfortunately, the fools have succeeded in silencing him for now.
I hope that he regroups soon and plays his own "race card" and trumps all those that succumbed to this madness.
The bottom line to his firing is a huge backward step in racial relations in the USA. I am white. I believe this ax should swing both ways..
Who benefitted from this? The network that is losing millions in advertising income? The actors and musicians who appeared on Imus pushing music and movies? The authors and their publishers selling books on the show? The politicians pushing their opinions and pulling for votes? The autisic children an their families who Imus campained to get help for? The wounded soldiers who are having problems getting proper health care which Imus brought to light? The Rutgers girls basketball team members who are getting death threats? The Imus Ranch which helps children with cancer? The Al Sharptons and Jessie Jacksons who have done more harm than good for their race as a result of this? The environment which Deidre Imus has tried to improve by helping in the development and sale of environmentally friendly cleaning solutions? (100% of profits from sale went to chariies like the Imus Ranch for children).
So far as I can see, no one wins.
No one will take credit for
Written by Don Huebner
on 4/30/2007
I don't see the big deal we have all been called names in our life and will again I'm sure.Imus should not have lost his job
for this, that is the reason he is famous because of his mouth
and his quick witt.I for one am so sick of these blacks saying
poor poor me you whites have done us so wrong you owe us. Guess
what I owe you nothing I have never owned a slave and none of my family has either.So guess what I don't owe you anything.All of this kind of bull is the reason theres so much trouble between blacks and whites and it will never change.They are never satisfied.I am sick of this old worn out record.Guess what
you can't get me fired for what I said.
Written by sicksicksick
on 4/16/2007
I am curious as to what church/religious affiliation "brother" Al & Jessie have? Did they attend a seminary or school of theology? And where does forgiveness become exempt for a radio host when Al & Jessie were ready to crucify the Duke Lacrosse players along with the black panthers? And how many illegitimate children can you father while married before you lose credibility in your own race? Especially the race you want to see advance and get out of the vicious circle of drugs, gangs, and sexual promiscuity. Black or White-America needs better examples and leaders than Al & Jessie!!!
Written by Confused Bystander
on 4/16/2007
You people are some dam fools.
Written by blmanconcerned
on 4/15/2007
The media of the United States is the enemy of white people and that is a fact. Black rappers use such language 24 hours a day on television but they are not fired. In Knoxville, Tenn., five blacks kidnapped a white couple and cut the penis off of the white man before setting him afire and burning him to death. His girlfriend was raped by these animals and tortured for days before having her breasts cut off and then being murdered herself. There was no press coverage. Compare this to the press coverage of the dragging death of a black man named Byrd in Jasper, Texas by three red-necks. White people need to start standing up because if they continue to live like sheep they will die like sheep.
Written by Ronald Morris
on 4/14/2007
WOW! !! If Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson actually believe this exploiting of the "race card" will bring harmony to the many different races that live in this country, they are so very wrong. This divides us even further. Just as it did when the OJ case was a total disgusting disgrace of our judicial system where the media fueled the anger between blacks and whites and made the case a "race" issue and not one of the truth. A person killed another person and a friend of that person. Plain and simple facts.
Don't tell me Imus is a a loser, at least he stood up and admitted he made a mistake. Did OJ? No, he lied and ran away (like the coward he is and all the cowards that run when guilty) then when he couldn't get away, turned it around that he was the victim. That the people wanted him because he was black and killed a white woman..... Enough is Enough!
He used the media to twist around the truth. Killing is against the law in our society and in God's eyes. But no, it became a race issue. I don't worry, because he will answer to the Lord.
If we have a problem with the words used by Mr. Imus, then let's get Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to do a little research and find the rap artists that started using these "degrading and racist and sexist" words in their so called music. Take them out and bring them into the public eye and have them explain why they can degrade women and the police in their songs and explain why it is okay for them. Let's fire them from the airwaves!!! Is is because they are black and the black women are okay with the comments coming from black males? But when a white man repeats the same words used by the rappers, it is so bad that he needs to lose his job over it. Enough is Enough America. Plus,how come the very same people offended by these words by Imus just love to call the whites the new slang word "Cracker" (....which comes from the slave days of the white slave owners or their formans cracking the whip on the crop workers.)
Sorry to dissapoint anyone, but this "cracker" doesn't appreciate the "C" word in my direction because it is hurtful and racist against me, and I am truly offended that they call me this. Can I borrow your race card? And what about the racist organizations that have been tolerated by this country.
Where is my White Entertainment Channel, or the United White College Fund, or the Miss White America Pagent, or the The White Grammy Awards and on and on and on.
Why not get rid of all racism not just the ones you choose to point fingers at for your gain Al Sharpton or you Jesse Jackson.
Enough is Enough.
All Americans should speak up>
Black, White, Asian, Mexican, Hispanic, Jewish, etc. etc.!!
We all live here in this country together and when the name calling in all races stop, it will be a better place to live.
Not your Cracker, 4/14/07
Written by offended by the "c" word Cracker
on 4/14/2007
Yep, racism is a thing of the past, Stephen and Jeff. Reading these comments is enough to make you weep.
Written by Me
on 4/14/2007
The article you are referring to is at this website. http://apfte.net/ White people are too stupid and law abiding to ever stand up for themselves. It is already too late for whites to wake up and make a stand against these animals....and that's what blacks are...uncivilized animals.
Written by tryn2please@yahoo.com
on 4/14/2007
Would it have been this big a deal if a black man would of called some white girls on a basketball team "cracker a@@ ho's". No because most people just go on and not use their race in some way to get money out of someone or the goverment. Maybe Al should listen to some rap and he could see about getting all them guys fired to.
Written by
on 4/13/2007
If a black man would have called a bunch white basketball girls "nappy headed cracker ho's" would anyone made a big deal of it. NO people need to quit using their race to get money, wether it be a indivdual or the gov. Maybe Sharpton should listen to some rap and get every rapper fired. GROW UP by making a big deal about this what will the final result be, breaking a man that has raised millons of dollars for cancer research and helping children on his ranch. It could be your child one day that needs some help.
Written by QUIT IT
on 4/13/2007
Im sure that his man has done alot of good things for America nad that s ine and dandy. But what he said about those women was not only racist, sexist, derogitory, it was down right not right and I as a black woman do not appreciate that.I am glad the man got fired because there should be no tolerance for that type of behavior. He is a coward and he deserved exactly what he got.
Written by Angry Lady
on 4/13/2007
I agree wholeheartedly that what Imus said is an insult but come on now these same girls including Al Sharpton's daughter and Jesse Jackson's kids all listen to the rappers who sing about the B***hs and h*s then a** F**k them on the videos.Sing about cop killings/rape.I have seen many a head bobbing to the music in their cars. They even allow their young impressionable sons/daughters to watch and listen to the music.Let's make a clean sweep and get all that garbage off tv.
Written by Maureen
on 4/13/2007
Now that the rooster is coming home to nest (THE TRUTH HURTS).
Don Imus got exactly what he deserved because the statement he said came from his Heart (Racist) sorry but true. This reminds me of O.J Simpson case, if O.J had killed his first wife being (Black) people would not have cared open and shut case. But being that is was a (White Woman) oh now it is a problem. Therefore it goes both ways so yeah people of color are outraged and sick of it. If that had been a Black man that made the statement of Nappy headed "White" Ho's. He would have been fired the first day and the Klan would have marched. There was Slavery once upon ago but guest what Racist is still here and on the Rise without the crosses burning. Instead of Crosses and hangings now its the Airways (cross burning).
Truth
Written by Truth Hurts
on 4/13/2007
Exactly. Sharpton and Jackson earn their living on the "race issue". They blackmail and strong arm individuals and businesses to fill their unworthy pockets. Your example of the hypocracy of the Administration at Rutgers is typical of our universities today. I don't like Don Imus. Don't listen to his show. His language is crude and often insulting. POTUS and Trent Lott is fair game but not the Rutgers women's basketball team. Geeze.
Written by Sharon
on 4/12/2007
I don't necessarily agree with Imus' remarks on air but remember our 1st amendment to the U.S. constitution gives us all the right to freedom of speech. Many young men have died defending that freedom. Imus is entitled to the same liberties as afforded by the constitution as the rapper who uses much worse degrading words and phrases to describe women in their so called music. I believe that had a black man uttered these same words there would be no claim of racism, in fact it wouldn't have even been newsworthy. Don Imus should file lawsuits against NBC, CBS, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, the NAACP and any other person or organization who would deny him the right to his constitutionally protected right of free speech. Imus be more politically correct in the future, after all you are a white man!
Written by 1st amendment supporter
on 4/12/2007
Al sharpton and jess jackson are neither pillars of morality or consistency. I'm not saying that they should be shut up much as imus said. The fact is that what they are doing is hurting their cause more so than helping it. They take, bend, twist and warp anything to fit what they want. If they continue on this parade against speech that is free one day they will also be held accountable to the same standards they themselves are helping set. It's just plan said that more people do not see this for what they are, publicity hounds. Much like Bill Donahue from the catholic league. Just said..
Written by Marcelo Abans
on 4/12/2007
Mike, what that guy said to you in that e-mail message was horrid and painfully stupid, but it was said in private. What Imus said about those women was broadcast to millions of listeners nationwide. Surely you see the difference here? Do you think Rutgers should be actively snooping in their employees' e-mails? I try to use the "treat e-mail as a postcard" dictum myself, but an e-mail message still technically qualifies as a form of private correspondence.
To
Buzz Right Back on this article