I haven't written about the Imus affair here. I never listen to Imus and thus have no opinion of or particular interest in him. My main interest in the matter was simply to see how it would play out and what the outcome would say about the state of our culture.
Now that it's over, except for the comeback (presumably on a lesser media outlet), what have we learned? For one thing, we see that even in our boisterous and increasingly uncivil culture there are still limits. They may come into play only when incivility is directed at African-Americans, but it's still good to obtain confirmation that a critical mass of the public (I'm hoping it wasn't just corporate executives) is highly offended by the kind of insult Imus issued. The public's disgust was the key here, not the firing of Imus. His statement was bad enough to justify the discharge, but not so horrible as to require it. .
We also learned that has-beens Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson still get to play a role when racial controversies arise. That's unfortunate, especially in the case of Sharpton. As my Power Line partner Scott Johnson has written, "from his promotion of Tawana Brawley's hoax. . ., to his defense of the Central Park 'wilding' rapists, to his role in the pogroms leading to the murders of Yankel Rosenbaum in Crown Heights and eight victims in Freddy's Fashion Mart in Harlem, Sharpton has compiled a record that should result in his excommunication by decent people from civil society." Most recently, Sharpton promoted the miscarriage of justice represented by the prosecution of the three Duke lacrosse players. The only good I see coming from Sharpton's involvement is that by groveling before the pernicious preacher, Imus perhaps lost some of his credibility as an iconoclast. Those who forgive or are okay with his comment about the Rutgers player may be unwilling to forgive his appearance with Sharpton.
The final lesson comes from the reaction of the Rutgers basketball players. Naturally, they were insulted by Imus' comments, and could not be expected to laugh them off. But it was disappointing to see these women fall so readily into the victim role. After Imus met with the team today, the coach said that the healing process could now begin. It is a bad sign that an idiotic insult by a performing monkey would require a healing process. As one extraordinarily successful woman of hispanic national origin wrote to me in amazement, "Here are these. . .tough women on top of the world and they are so fragile that a remark knocks them down?"
Growing incivility of discourse coupled with hyper-sensitivity to insult isn't a good combination. This week's victory for civility was too circumscribed to signal a lasting set-back for the combination.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 9)
1. DURING AL SHARPTONS RADIO SHOW TODAY OR YESTERDAY, THEY WENT TO A COMMERCIAL "MUSIC BREAK" WHEN THEY WILL PLAY "BLACK RAP MUSIC" WELL, AFTER SHARPOTON BLASTED IMUS'S COMMENTS THEY WENT ON A BREAK AND BEGAN TO PLAY A RAP SONG.....IN THE SONG AL SHARPTON PLAYED THEY SUNG, "THESE KNAPPY HEADED HO BITCHES", 2-3 SECONDS LATER THAT RAP SONG WAS MYSTERIOUSLY TAKEN OFF THE AIR????? HMMMM :-)
LibDemsHateUSA at 11:51PM on Apr 13th 2007
2. WANNA BE REVEREND SHARPTON AND JESSIE HIJACKSON ARE OUT FOR THEMSELVES!! DID YOU SEE EITHER OF THEM IN MISSISSIPPI AFTER THE DEVASTATION HELPING OUT? NO !! THEY ARE JUST GRANSTANDING !!
STRMCRKJR at 11:57PM on Apr 13th 2007
3. Gentlemen allow me please, let's review shall we, the man, the mouse, IMUS IMUS comment his birth certificate is an apology from the condom factory.
elsie at 11:59PM on Apr 13th 2007
4. When black people stop allowing those words to be said about their mothers, sisters, daughters, girlfriends, etc. I will have some empathy. I am white and if anyone ever said the words in some of those rap songs or in general conversation about any of the females I know, I would be highly insulted. It really isn't OK for blacks on blacks to use racial slurs, then get all upset if a white person does it. White people don't call someone's mother a "Ho," prostitute or whore and it not be taken as an insult.
Marlene Smith at 12:05AM on Apr 14th 2007
5. Mr Mirangoff, Being ignorant of Imus' satirical style, who cares what you think? Not me!!!
nan at 12:04AM on Apr 14th 2007
6. For years Imus carried water for the Communist Party USA (Democrats), advancing their causes and attacking their enemies.
Imus was the victim of an internal communist party (Democrat) purge. He had offended the lesbian-crazy wing of the party which set a party watch-dog group on Imus. They found the ammunition they needed in his Rutgers remarks. Within minutes of his remarks they were blast faxed to hundreds of party insiders and posted on U-Tube. Sharpton and Jackson, representing the black-racist wing of the party became the executioners.
Imus in the intentionally false, hurtful, vicious attacks on Catholics and others should have been terminated long ago, but those groups are not party members.
There is a shake-up going on inside the party for control in anticipation of a victory in the 2008 Presidential race and the opportunity to over-throw the constitution and United States sovereignty. this is an inside fight to see who will be the commisars who will dominate when the United States becomes part of the world socialist brotherhood.
John Mader at 12:13AM on Apr 14th 2007
7. I never listen to Imus other than when he is in the news. I have listened to Sharpton more than I need to. The both of them have proven my theory that you don't have be any particular color to be a jurk. Maybe it's because we are humans first before color comes into play. Eventhough I don't like Sharpton's or Imus' behavor, I would defend their right to free speech. Oh by the way, If your going to fire Imus, than Sharpton should handed his pink slip also.
Hatri DeLeo at 1:16AM on Apr 14th 2007
8. when Sharpton and Jackson start believing in helping others than the in trouble or trouble African American, then maybe I'd believe they are about something. I truly believe that Imus was in the wrong by his comments, BUT. If that were an African American saying, "blonde headed bitches", that would be so overlooked that only those with TiVo would know it took place. The problem is all they scream is "equality, equality". For who? The Jessie Jacksons and Al Sharptons of the world. That's who. If your cause or injustice isn't t.v., radio newsworthy, sorry. You's got no Jessie and no Al. So, Imus is in a world of mess right now, but unlike Jessie and Al, I believe he will get himself settled. They don't have anything if they don't have mayhem.
white girl at 12:20AM on Apr 14th 2007
9. Surely in the name of fairness, Al Sharpton's previous history as race-baiter -- ala the Tawana Brawley lies -- will now be investigated in depth? After all, several white males were accused of raping a young black woman. It was a big lie, a cover-up which Sharpton got into, mightily. One of the white males, I believe, eventually committed suicide after his life was basically ruined.
I'm not quite sure what Sharpton said to the man's family and to the other falsely accused males, in his heartfelt apology. What's that? He never apologized??? This hot item was dropped by the media??? Now THAT story needs investigation, newsfolk! Is not fair fair?
LOIS at 10:30PM on Apr 21st 2007
10. Hello, has anyone considered that the failing ratings, and the incompetent mgt at the CBS and MSNBC offices, is the reason advertisers pulled out! IMAN was their cheap way out of contractual agreements, and the pin heads (MANAGEMENT) let them out! I hope this MGT Group never has to represent me!
RTT at 1:05PM on Apr 14th 2007
11. I have learned that the corporate world is all a bunch of A Kissers! When you have an agenda no matter how brainless, you can move it forward, all you have to do is jump on the coat tails of a true leader. a pioneer, an individual with a brain! Don Imus has many people landing on his on his tails!
ImanFan at 1:05PM on Apr 14th 2007
12. I'd have a lot more respect for all those screaming outrage over Imus' comments if that same outrage were present as other groups are targetted by radio personality in very similar and parallel ways. For instance, Tom Joyner's Morning Show has the black Tom Joyner attacking and demeaning everyone who isn't black in the most hateful way. Yet no one who was so disgusted by Imus has ever said anything about this DJ doing the same thing in reverse.
Don't get me wrong. I think Imus' comments were disgusting and really have no problem with him being off the air.....but just because of this. The fact he's a shock jock and makes his living attacking people is enough to have him removed...along with others like him (like Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, et al). But the difference is that I think they are ALL worthy of outrage and NOT because I happen to be a victim. Its as upsetting to see ANY group attacked...not just black groups. Its wrong to condone ANY demeaning insults on the radio or TV like this....but that outrage crosses all gender, race, economic, religious, etc., backgrounds. Why can't any of these people so upset get that they are part of the problem they pretend to combat. The divisivness is there, in part, BECAUSE of their actions. Everyone should just try practicing what they preach for a change. What a novel concept THAT might be....
tara at 12:37AM on Apr 14th 2007
13. I agree that no one of any race should be using the terms/slurs that Imus used (in life or music). And if this were an isolated incident for him I could understand people wanting a second chance for him. But please, his sorry is rather empty isn't it?
I agree that Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are grandstanding and much more interested in their own benefit from the poor treatment (real or imaginary) of others. And also that the Rutgers women probably do not feel like as much of victims as they've been portrayed. Particularly since the country has rallied around them.
In my opinion this situation is actually positive for two reasons. I was very encouraged that so many people spoke out against racial slurs. Maybe we will reach absolute equality of all people yet. Also, Don Imus is off the air. He was just rotten. "Hating everyone" (not just blacks) is no consolation.
Erin Morris at 12:43AM on Apr 14th 2007
14. ...without racism,Sharpton/Jackson will be no more! they prey and feed on racism! the best way to to stop racism is to stop making it the issue!!
JP at 12:46AM on Apr 14th 2007
15. TYPICAL 2007 AMERICA ..WHAT A WASTE OF A COUNTRY..IT IS GOING DOWN FAST EVER SINCE THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT..GIVE THESE ANIMALS A INCH AND THEY DESTROY THE NEIGHBORHOOD BY LOOTING ETC...JUST AS BAD AS WHITE PEOPLE BENDING OVER SO WE CAN ALL SPEAK SPANISH....UNBELIEVABLE HOW EVERYTHING IS GOING DOWN HILL SO FAST HERE NO WONDER WE HAVE ATTACKS LIKE 9/11 WHO COULD BLAME THEM? HOPEFULLY WHITE PEOPLE WILL WAKE UP AND PUT A STOP TO THIS..IT IS LIKE THE EXPRESSION EVERY THING COMES IN CYCLES HOPEFULLY THE KKK OR ANY GROUP ON THAT LEVEL WILL RISE AND PUT THIS COUNTRY ON THE RIGHT PATH...AIDS IS DOING A GREAT JOB WIPING OUT AFRICA BUT IT NEEDS TO BE HERE MORE TO CLEAN UP THIS MESS OR HOPEFULLY THE TERRORIST WILL GET A FEW MORE CHANCES TO DESTROY THIS LOUSY COUNTRY PLANET OF THE APES
MONKEY at 9:37PM on Apr 16th 2007