I"ve noticed that the Middle Eastern media is treating the Imus story--and how our little scandals travel worldwide!--with a certain degree of relish. And I think I know why. Remember the Muhammad cartoon scandal? When the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten printed the cartoons portraying the prophet Muhammad as a terrorist, many in the West viewed this solely through the lens of free speech. The media coverage suggested a confirmation of Huntington's "clash of civilizations" thesis. We believe in free speech and they don't. Many conservatives rallied to this viewpoint.
Clearly the embassy-burnings and rabid protests of the Islamic radicals showed that there is a faction in the Muslim world that completely rejects open debate. "Insult us and we will issue fatwas to kill you" is their modus operandi. But the traditional Muslims fell silent. They did not join with the radicals, but neither did they defend the cartoons. And indeed some commented that the way in which the West was treating the controversy was unfair and hypocritical.
The Imus controversy proves that these traditional Muslims were right. How often during the Imus brouhaha have you heard the words "free speech"? Hardly. Has the First Amendment even come up? Nyet. Have dozens of other radio hosts decided to echo the epithets directed at the Rutgers women's basketball team in order to affirm their solidarity with Imus and their enthusiasm for civil liberties? No, there has been an almost-universal howl of outrage. The man should be suspended! No, he should be fired! Everyone involved should have sensitivity counseling to make sure this doesn't happen again! All of this is indicative of the racism endemic in our society!
No wonder the Muslims are chuckling. They see that when our sacred cows are gored, we scream bloody murder and demand accountability and heads on a platter. By contrast when someone elses's sacred cows are gored, we proclaim ourselves loftily on the side of free speech and demand that they "get over it."
So how should we have reacted to the Muhammad cartoons? By defending the right to the speech but condemning the content of the speech. Islam has been around for a thousand years, and Islamic terrorism is now, so how can Muhammad be the culprit? Freedom does not mean exemption from criticism or accountability. This is the real lesson of the Imus controversy.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 21)
1. IMUS IF HE LOSES THIS SHOW WILL GO SOMEPLACE ELSE TO WORK. MSNBC SUCKS BAD MOVE GUYS.
jim williams at 3:02PM on Apr 12th 2007
2. Let me know where he ends up I am sure to support and I know of at least 10 million others that will follow! Imus MSNBC Sucks! So you are better off with out them! I can not wait for you to resurface! you are the BEST! You said you were sorry I forgive you and heck you are a replubican and I am not so that is enough for me.
Terri Patanus at 3:07PM on Apr 12th 2007
3. Oprah another racist Butch Dyke bitch. Will she also have the innocent men from college on her show?
Have the bitch who ruined their lives. She is a nasty nappy ho that 2 cent stripper. What an ugly bitch she is. Ho ...
Will Oprah have the two old women on, who were robbed and beaten by one of those ugly APES FROM Africa? Oprah a racist bitch, who licks her lover, Gail.
stenorm at 3:20PM on Apr 12th 2007
4. isn't it about time the tail stopped wagging the dog?
Ed at 3:26PM on Apr 12th 2007
5. Where are all the people that Imus has helped along the way? I always watched him on MSNBC but will no longer even turn on that station. What's wrong with America that we have lost our free speech rights? Maybe Oprah will run as VP and Obama will be President...what's this world coming to????
Patsy Dawson at 3:33PM on Apr 12th 2007
6. Gosh, I don't remember seeing Jesse Jackson strung up when he referred to NYC as "Hymietown" and there are more than a few racist statements that have originated from the mouth of Al Sharpton, so this is one big hypocritical crock... Pot calls kettle black....
Mr. Imus' First Amendment rights count for nothing here... more's the pity... this country is suffocating in a wave of pointless, useless political correctness. Wave up - not everyone is going to hold hands signing Kum By Yah around the campfire... it just isn't going to happen...
Messrs. Jackson and Sharpton will have the right to start throwing rocks at Mr. Imus at the precise moment when they have personally stopped ALL rap music from being recorded, produced, distributed and provided airplay that uses all the very words that cause all hell to break loose when a white person uses them.
Stop this ridiculous double standard - go after Snoop Dog for awhile... he's the sexist racist.
DSTRR at 3:52PM on Apr 12th 2007
7. Sharpton will never escape the stench of the "Tawana Brawley Hoax", regardless of how holier than thou or offended he may sound.
Mike at 3:36PM on Apr 12th 2007
8. I think the comment was inappropriate and sexist. As far as allegations that they are racist, this conveys a grammatical need for "only black women to be nappy headed ho's." Perhaps those so quick to label this as racism are voicing their own racism by turning a sexist comment into a racial issue. Personally, I would be a little insulted if someone yelled an insult into a crowd and strangers assumed it was meant for me even if they voiced how inappropriate it was. In the heat of athletics, one would expect bad hair, or not even care- priorities and all.
But perhaps Imus should be fired, as well as every singer and record exec. who has used more sexist comments than that in their songs, MTV & BET personalities for their spring break shows, NBC's leadership that has aired worse during primetime, and leadership officials who have also said and done worse.
JR at 3:40PM on Apr 12th 2007
9. While I'm NO IMUS FAN, the Guy's a shock jock!! What do people expect? Why are some (most) of his controversial comments okay and some not? Personally, I beleive he's an a blow fart most of the time, so this is no different. If he goes the world will continue to spin and be no worse for wear. Hopefully, Rush will quickly follow!! Now there is a true bag of gas.
DL at 3:55PM on Apr 12th 2007
10. I'm with Imus. I'm sick of taking a back seat to black people. I will not anymore. I was always taught tolerance towards everyone, but I now see that it is not a two way street. Thank you Sharpton and Jackson for opening my eyes. You and Oprah can and do say anything you want against whites with no repercussions, but expect whites to bow to your every whim. It isn't going to happen.
As I have said, you have opened my eyes to what is truely happening in this world. I will never support a single thing any of you three support again. No more donations, no more MSNBC, and definetely no more support for the black race.
Slick
Jason at 3:57PM on Apr 12th 2007
11. Whilst I agree that the commwents made by Imus were totally out of order, at the same time, if any good should come out of this whole sorry mess then it will be to show what a disgrace the 'Rev' Sharpton is as both,a man of the cloth' and a 'so called' representative of the black community.
When the story broke about the 'so called' rape case involving the lacross players, Sharpton could be seen at every opportunity screaming for justice for the 'poor little black girl' violated by three students who, because of their affluent background, felt that this placed them above the law.
He presumed to be both, the judge and jury without ever being aware of the facts and demandin g total justice for this 'poor innocent' woman.
Now that it has been totally proven that they were innocent then can we now expect a full apology from Sharpton and, MORE IMPORTANTLY, would IMUS be justified in demanding Sharpton's resignation exactly as Sharpton is demanding his?
Dennis Hill at 4:04PM on Apr 12th 2007
12. The spectacle that the media and the "black leaders" have made of this incicident has done more damage. Those girls didn't get damaged by Imus' words. Please. I've heard worse in a classroom by the same race that is suppose to be so sensitive to those words. All Al and Jesse are doing is making the gap WIDER every time they scream racism. They aren't doing anything to help make things better in our country.
Debra at 4:08PM on Apr 12th 2007
13. AL SHARPTON AND JESSE JACKSON ARE THE ONES THAT ARE FORCEING THE RACE ISSURE WE ALL LIVE TOGHTER LET IT BE. WE ARE AMERICAN NOTHING ELSE. I HAVE HEARD WORST THINK SAID FROM THE BLACK ABOUT WHITE. SO TELL AL SHARPTON AND JESSE JACKSON TO GET LONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE WHITE BACK YELLOW, GREEN OR ANYONE OTHER OR GO HOME
FLOYD DUTTON at 4:10PM on Apr 12th 2007
14. Well first of all, regarding Imus' comments, it is too bad he made them; there is simply no reason to have that sort of language on the public airwaves in any case, or at any time.
That having been said, I likewise do not understand how people can tolerate the awful, ignorant, lyrics of many Rap songs.
Whether from a talk show, or in musical form, I simply do not tolerate that sort of ignorant talk in my home. If someone is so ignorant that all they can think of to say is something like what Imus said, or what one routinely hears in Rap music, they would do better to simply remain quiet. Our high school coach (he also taught math and science) used to say; "Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut and remain thought a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt".
I think both things - Imus' comment and crude Rap music lyrics - are indicative of a decline of sorts in our general public intelligence and social graces.
Ken Berg at 4:09PM on Apr 12th 2007
15. Imus, what u said was so wrong, but we are allowed to say what we think and feel at the moment on air, "Freedom of Speech".
The way we as a public can make any difference, I feel, is to stop tuning into the radio stations that air Imus' show, (by the way thank your TV for cancelling, it's on the radio, that's enough, it's not a pretty sight), my understanding is if you don't have listeners, you don't survive. That will take care of it. Non-listeners unite.
Wendy at 4:23PM on Apr 12th 2007