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 4 of 9)
46. After seeing the support Don Imus has received, after being fired for his remarks against the Rutgers girls basketball team, I am horrified that so many Americans believe that our society has sunk so low that we should condone such evil minded hatred coming from our airwaves. No amount of "good deeds" would counter such filth. No decent human being would ever, even accidently, use that language to describe an American girl's college sports team. Black rap songs, black comedians, and others denegrate the black race, and black females, and lead a cultural downward spiral of thinking about their own race, but at least it is mostly "generic" in nature and not directed at specific people. But, in my opinion, they also should be banned from the public airwaves as being crimes against their race. The remarks by Imus were nothing more than a thinly veiled "hate crime". I was once surprised that a popular media figure was fired because he used the words "water closet" on TV, when referring to a toilet, but inwardly, I was happy that our standards for TV broadcasting were that high. HOW FAR WE HAVE COME SINCE THEN, AND BY USING THE BANNER OF "FREE SPEECH", HOW LOW WE HAVE SUNK.
Anne at 5:56AM on Apr 14th 2007
47. My goodness, you White folks are so funny, who needs a comedy act, all one has to do is read your comments ---. It's no wonder this country is in such a mess --- don't any of you folks think for yourself --- or maybe you were born doing slavery time and like the status quo. Just a question --- because it hard to believe that you all call yourselves the most educated and civilized folks in the world -- but looking at the mess you continued to make with your hatred of others, even of yourselves, you can't make a believer out of me!
Colored, Negro, Black folks, or whatever you want to call us --- don't have the power to stop another's progress because of the color of their skin. But you, so called, White folks do. You judge by skin color and you discriminate by the same. So when you start calling names, hell, we are going to call you on it every time. When there is equality in this country and every one is seen as a part of the "human race" and not as, black, white, yellow or green --- well you know what I mean; your hatred will always backfire on you. You folks are so primitive! It's no wonder other countries has no respect for White America. They consider you stupid, and unable to think for yourselves ---
Have you folks, you intelligent White folks, that is, ever wonder why, when Americans are kidnapped in Europe, 99% of the time they release the so called Black persons. No. You don’t remember this --- well, let me enlighten you. White Americans don’t consider Black Americans to be of any value --- therefore, other countries keep the ones they can get money for or exchange prisons for. We are freed because of your hatred and greed. Now ain't that funny!
I know you won’t get my point, why should you, you are White and it's hard to look in your mirrors --- what goes around will come around, and like it or not, it your own shit you are wallowing in. We didn’t create the games, and we are forced to play by your rules --- We attend your schools, and yet you call us stupid!
To be honest, the young ladies should sue Imus for defamation of character ... now that would be justice!
Yes, you White folks are so darn funny, who needs professional comedians to make me laugh --- my side hurt from laughing at you all. Right wing Left wing --- there is no such thing. There are just White folks --- and around the world America has become a joke --- because of prejudice White folks!
Do I hate you? Hell no! My parents probably breast feed your parents, and chances are you might be my half sister or brother! Ha Ha Ha, and you know that’s the truth! Ya’ll be so funny!
Laughing my butt off! at 7:00AM on Apr 14th 2007
48. I think this Blog has milked this cow out! Either that or this blog love uncovering so many racists! If so, you have proven your point .. and I am tired of reading about it. What about the missing Emails, and the law of 1978 that was broken concerning government using private emails to conduct government business? Bush is worse than Nixon ever was, and I had respect for Nixon!
Let's milk this cow a little bit! The missing emails should open some eyes ... ok, right wing, left wing fight --- may now begin!
This Cow Has No More Milk at 8:05AM on Apr 14th 2007
49. i read a comment from imus stating that harold ford, jr. did not step forward to defend him although he(imus)received death threats when he backed jr. many of us could have forseen that one for you. however, to defend jr., let me inform you of what i haven't seen on national t.v., unless maybe msnbc or abc may be reporting it (haven't been watching them). maybe jr. is attempting to stay under the radar during this time; couldn't afford to bring more attention to the family. his uncle, john ford,former tennessee state senator, is on trial at the moment on corruption charges (accepting bribes from undercover f.b.i. agents) and another uncle, edmond, memphis city council member, is in hot water due to his not paying his utility bills and receiving special treatment (utilities never cut off). when this latest episode came to light, he then was required to pay up; no mention made as to how he managed to get THIS money JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME.
carol at 8:10AM on Apr 14th 2007
50. I'm haveing trouble understanding what all the one sided BS is all about. I don't know mr. Imus. I never seen or heard of him befor. However if it wer a black that made the same commet no attention would have been given. Check out the 2000 movie comedy BAMBOOZLED. Very funy; however if it were WHITES saying the same things world war three would take place. Just like with Imus. Arround 30 to 40 years ago a man oppend a restrant in Darthmouth, Ma. A very nice restrant indeed. Its name was GUMBO'S. WOW the black community were up in arms till they finely put him out of busness. WHY you ask. Becaus he was WHITE. If he were BLACK it would have been OK. I get a little tired of hearing about "AFFERICAN AMMERICANS". Unles you were born there and became US citisions that is NOT what you are. I met aman who was indeed an affrecan ammerican. He had a papper showing that he was born in afferica and became a US citision. But to my surprise he was WHITE. How could that happin? I thourt only blacks came from affrica.SURPRISE!!! What's rong with being an Ammerican and proud of it even if you are black. Just think insted of wa wa wa boo hoo boo hoo If your ancesters wern't brought here as slaves;( sold to the slavetraders by blacks in most cases )whare would YOU be today. In afferica chacing monkies for food. STOP THE WINNING, STOP COMPLAINING, STOP THE DOBBLE STANDERD; BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE:. WORY ABOUT YOURSELF AND NOT SOMONELSE. Remember before you can take the speck out of my eye remove the plank out of your own. THANK YOU I'm glad to have gotten this off my chest and sorry for the bad speling.
Dennis Rusin at 8:27AM on Apr 14th 2007
51. Iwas watching WFAN yesterday ,and they made some terrific comments ab out this mess,where are all the people who were on his show,maybe it was for their own agenda,selling their books whci we all know,they did,now they are all cowards,what about the ,newsguy,cant think of his name ,maybe i dont want to who promoted his book BIG RUSS AND ME,he made it sound like he was the only one who had a dad,he was on so many times it was getting boring,then all the political people,but IMUS never said they couldnt come on he helped them as he has helped sp many others,where is TOM BROKAW,another phony,what is the matter with them all,are they afraid of the REV SHARPTON AND JACKSON,what,are they going to ruin their lives,I DONT THINK SO,what cowards,ill tell u i lokk at black [people in a whole different way if u look at them wrong ,bump into them in a mall,dont let them cut in front of u ,in the supermarket,u will be called a racist,now we all have to watch our backs,we need some powerfull whie people to stand up for us,we are the minority
carol at 9:58AM on Apr 14th 2007
52. I'll miss IMan's show. It was not only he who suffered in his job loss, it was the entire group..
all the staff and support workers. The comment was humor....it certainly did not warrant any kind of action at all. As for the sponsors, it will be a cold day in hell before I purchase any of THEIR products. Cowards. Where is the loyality for IMUS and his group?
Pat Corvo at 5:27PM on Apr 17th 2007
53. In the case of Don Imus's remarks on his radio program, I found the timing of the MSM reporting & the sudden outrage by Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson & the rest of the politically correct race hustling sycophants in this country quite suspicious; the remarks had been made days earlier.
Isn't it interesting that right about the same time the North Carolina Attorney General was announcing the "INNOCENCE" of the three Duke Lacrosse players falsely accused of rape by a young black woman & announcing the case was being dropped & possible ethics & criminals charges may be filed against Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong that all hell broke loose concerning Imus's remarks. I usually don't subscribe to conspiracy theories but the timing here is just a little to coincidental. It's obvious the outrage was was media manufactured in an attempt to defelct the attention & spotlite from what happened to the innocent Duke Lacrosse players. It was the far left race hustling crowd along with their willing accomplices in the MSM who had egg all over their face for their rush to judgement & the playing of the black victim race card in the Duke Lacrosee case. The outcry over Imus was nothing but a diversion.
Kevin at 10:53AM on Apr 14th 2007
54. In the case of Don Imus's remarks on his radio program, I found the timing of the MSM reporting & the sudden outrage by Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson & the rest of the politically correct race hustling sycophants in this country quite suspicious; the remarks had been made days earlier.
Isn't it interesting that right about the same time the North Carolina Attorney General was announcing the "INNOCENCE" of the three Duke Lacrosse players falsely accused of rape by a young black woman & announcing the case was being dropped & possible ethics & criminals charges may be filed against Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong that all hell broke loose concerning Imus's remarks. I usually don't subscribe to conspiracy theories but the timing here is just a little to coincidental. It's obvious the outrage was was media manufactured in an attempt to defelct the attention & spotlite from what happened to the innocent Duke Lacrosse players. It was the far left race hustling crowd along with their willing accomplices in the MSM who had egg all over their face for their rush to judgement & the playing of the black victim race card in the Duke Lacrosee case. The outcry over Imus was nothing but a diversion.
Kevin at 2:00PM on May 23rd 2007
55. This is the e-mail I sent Mcdonalds. You can copy and paste
if
youlike. It is time for Mcdonalds to stop the hatred and racism
bysponsoring the likes of Rev. Al Sharpton. The money that you
provideis helping to fuel these fires. Until this publicaly happens
neitherI nor my family will eat at Mcdonalds. While I can't stop
yourassistance of racism, I can rest assured that my money will not
beused to accomplish this. I will also be advising everyone I meet
andwill be posting on blogs, the damage you are doing by
supportingracist platforms. Please sirs, step up to the plate and do
the rightthing.You will be richer in the long run, you will have a
clearconsience. Our country, cities and neighborhoods will be
strongerbecause of your decisive actions. Thank you
----------------------------------------------
DM at 10:56AM on Apr 14th 2007
56. Emails walmart: www.walmartstores.com go to contact us,
Then
submitfeedback to corporate Headquarters, Mcdonalds:
www.mcdonalds.com/corp.html go to contact us, then to
Mcdonaldscorporate responsibility, then click on send us an e-mail
using ouronline form. Proctor & gambel www.pg.com/company
click oncontact us, you will see contact us, click here to e-mail
DM at 10:57AM on Apr 14th 2007
57. Let's see..when did Imus add "nappy headed ho's" to his vocabulary? Was after he listenened to Stevie Wonder or Richard Pryor? Maybe it was Cris Rock or Dave Chappell! I never heard Hank Williams or Delbert McLinton sing or speak these lyrics.
The Al and Jesse team have revealed that they are so sensitive. They are standing knee deep in the flood of foul language and self depreciating lyrics and jokes from their own community. Shame on them and CBS and NBC.
Dave at 10:57AM on Apr 14th 2007
58. This is the responce I got from Mcdonalds. Everyone needs to write. Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald's and share your feelings about our commercial placements. We appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.
First and foremost, please know that the relationship we have with our customers is one we value greatly. Our customers are at the heart of every decision we make, and we would never do anything to intentionally offend any of our customers.
When it comes to determining where we advertise, we have an obligation to our customers, employees, franchisees, and shareholders to reach our customers as effectively as possible. To that end, we work hard to have an ongoing dialog with all the media outlets with which we work. We regularly review programming where our advertising messages appear, and strive to associate our messages with programming that is relevant and entertaining and that speaks to our customers.
That said, it's important to understand that McDonald's is not directly involved with network programming decisions. As an advertiser, our role is not to determine what broadcasters should or should not air. That decision belongs to the broadcaster and, ultimately, to the individual viewer. However, we recognize our customers support a diverse view of programming interests. As such, we appreciate you sharing your opinion and have shared it with our Marketing Department where it will be considered for future advertising decisions.
Please be assured that we will continue to search for entertaining, responsible programming for the placement of our commercials.
Again, thank you for contacting McDonald's.
Tim
McDonald's Customer Response Center
ref#:4319441
DM at 10:58AM on Apr 14th 2007
59. Proud To Be White
Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this?
There are African Americans, Mexican Americans,
Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Native Americans, etc.
And then there are just Americans.
You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction.
You Call me "White boy," "Cracker," "Honkey,"
"Whitey," "Caveman" . and that's OK.
But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head, Sand-nigger,
Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink ...
you call me a racist.
You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you,
so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
You have the United Negro College Fund. You have Martin Luther King
Day. You have Black History Month You have Cesar Chavez Day. You
have Yom Hashoah You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi You have the NAACP.
You have BET.
If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) ...
we'd be racists.
If we had a White Pride Day ..
you would call us racists.
If we had White History Month ..
we'd be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to "advance" OUR lives ..
we'd be racists.
We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of
Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce
Wonder who pays for that?
If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships
you know we'd be racists.
There are over 60 openly proclaimed
Black Colleges in the US, yet if there were "White colleges" ..
THAT would be a racist college.
In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching
for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights,
you would call us racists.
You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're
not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride ...
You call us racists.
You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer
shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running
from the law and posing a threat to society ...
you call him a racist.
I am proud.
But, you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists?
There is nothing improper about this e-mail.
Paula at 11:00AM on Apr 14th 2007
60. Proud To Be White
Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this?
There are African Americans, Mexican Americans,
Asian Americans, Arab Americans, Native Americans, etc.
And then there are just Americans.
You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction.
You Call me "White boy," "Cracker," "Honkey,"
"Whitey," "Caveman" . and that's OK.
But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head, Sand-nigger,
Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink ...
you call me a racist.
You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you,
so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
You have the United Negro College Fund. You have Martin Luther King
Day. You have Black History Month You have Cesar Chavez Day. You
have Yom Hashoah You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi You have the NAACP.
You have BET.
If we had WET (White Entertainment Television) ...
we'd be racists.
If we had a White Pride Day ..
you would call us racists.
If we had White History Month ..
we'd be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to "advance" OUR lives ..
we'd be racists.
We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of
Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce
Wonder who pays for that?
If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships
you know we'd be racists.
There are over 60 openly proclaimed
Black Colleges in the US, yet if there were "White colleges" ..
THAT would be a racist college.
In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching
for your race and rights. If we marched for our race and rights,
you would call us racists.
You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're
not afraid to announce it. But when we announce our white pride ...
You call us racists.
You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us. But, when a white police officer
shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug-dealer running
from the law and posing a threat to society ...
you call him a racist.
I am proud.
But, you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists?
There is nothing improper about this e-mail.
Paula at 2:19PM on Apr 16th 2007