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 5 of 9)
61. Enough on Imus!! There were and are a ton more issues to resolve. Self serving pastors Jackson & Sharpton should step down if they don't hold a news conference to apologize to the Duke Lacrosse players and to the Duke University Community.Talk about hypocrites. The news media needs to check priorities.
Bob Mc Donald at 11:27AM on Apr 14th 2007
62. It really pisses me of that I have to tell someone who I am before i can give my opinion on any subject!! Because of political correctness LAWS I can't give my opinion because of retalation from someone, and so I can't say what feel.. So you can take this site and shove it!!
garageman at 1:37PM on Apr 15th 2007
63. Ironic isn't it that at the same time we take on the "Imus Fever" the entire world seems to ignore all the ridicule and insults thrown at Sanjaya.
Imus was wrong so very wrong......Like many of us have done in the past, he did a very stupid thing .
However, in his behalf I have to say I will always remember his steadfast voice during 911 each morning.He helped to give me and many others perspective and balance again.
martha at 11:44AM on Apr 14th 2007
64. No One Should Judge Jazzy Jessie and Big Al, they are to judge everyone else! When the great Rev was asked about the degrading lyrics in the hip hip rap communtiy, his answer was they boycotted the Rolling Stones during their Some Girls Tour, due to the lyrics in a couple of their songs, however the Rolling Stones are all White? Rev Jazzy couldn't say they have boycotted, 50 Cents, Grand Flash, Master P, and all the others, oh they are Black!
FREEDOM at 11:53AM on Apr 14th 2007
65. As usual, the media has taken this and blown it WAY out of whack as usual. The way I see it is this:
Al Sharpton is a loud obnoxious black man who uses his race to act like an ass and not just get away with it, but additionally - get paid for it. He is one of the biggest contributors to the segregation of the races - he wants discrimination because it keeps him in a job. And his whole problem with this particular "racial slur" is because Imus said the word "Nappy." Not "Whore" but "Nappy." Since when was it more disgraceful to call someone "nappy" then it is to call a woman a "Whore"???? Wake up people that makes it pretty obvious what's on his agenda.
The Basketball Team - Exactly why do the words of this one man bother them so much? People talk crap about people everyday - so boo hoo this one, unimportant twit of a man called you a "Nappy Whore" - call him a **ick and move on with your life. Remember sticks and stones????
The bottom line here is it seems that as I get older our society gets more retarded. Everyone is so worried about the whole concept of being P.C. (politically correct) and have lost site of the truth - WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT IN MANY WAYS - RACE, RELIGION, CREED, COLOR, ETC - ONE IS NOT BETTER THEN THE OTHER AND NEVER WILL BE! People need to stop being such wusses and get over it - so they were called "Nappy Whores" - it probably wasn't the first time and most definately won't be the last - so get over it!!!!
Patricia at 4:03PM on Apr 15th 2007
66. First, let me tell you that I have listened to Don Imus since 1971. I am and always will be a fan of his. He has overcome horrific personal demons and has given back to society for his charitible works. Regardless of his comments regarding Rutgers, this IS a good man. But this isn't about him. Do you black people really think you've eliminated a racist? You have no clue as to what racism is today. You are clueless because your leaders have led you to believe that whitey is standing on every corner with a hood and a burning cross just for you. They've taught you that you are a failure from birth and that (that) is whitey's fault. Racism today is far more complex, far less easy to distinguish. And far more dangerous. Forcing you to sit in the back of the bus, indenturing you, or unleashing dogs or fire hoses on you pale in comparison to what is happening to you today. You are way too naive to understand it, but it's called APATHY. You see, my friends in the black community, whitey doesn't have to openly abuse you. All he has to do is do nothing. Here's some examples. New Orleans is in ruins, thousands dead, hundreds of thousands displaced. Most of these people are minorities. Aside from the initial horror and charity, what has your government done for you? What has the general public done? What have your black leaders done for you? If you look closely you'll see the answer. Nothing; that's what's been done. That's racism. Affirmative Action. With a "wink and a nod", we have built a program that is an abysmal failure. And your people have advanced preciously little as a result of it. And when you do succeed in that program it is often at your own expense. Why is that? It's becasue that program will promote you just becuase of your skin, not your abilities. So what happens? Think about a masquerade party you are invited to where you dress up in costume, but the host telsl everyone but you that it ISN'T a masquerade party. Everyone laughs at your expense. That's racism. It's all of us nodding in understanding when your kids kill each other in the streets, faking horror only to return to our homes in the suburbs where our kids are safe, they have good schools, health care, two parents in the home, food, clothes, and all of the comforts for fostering a successful life. We shrug our shoulders, hop into our SUV's and head home. We sit in silence and do nothing. That is racism. It is Jesse and Al and even to a lesser degree, Oprah telling you you that you are worthless and will never amount to anything because of whitey. That is racism. In February, you celebrate Black History Month and your leaders tell you to rejoice. We clap and nod and applaud your accomplishments. Then on March 1, it's business as usual. Black History Month only divides us. That's racism. If you have never seen the Godfather or it's been ages, watch it. There's a scene where the five families are discussing whether and how they would incorporate the sale of drugs into their empire. One of the family heads says and I quote, "I don't want it near our schools, or homes, or neighborhoods. Keep it in the DARK neighborhoods, among the coloreds. They're animals anyway, let them lose their souls." The reason for using that illustration is simple; if we don't see it, it doesn't hurt us. When your leaders tell you it's our fault, they're wrong. You have always had control of your own lives. You get your backs up over words, yet your cause (and I guarantee this) will be no further along in a year, five years, a hundred years. It won't be because you can't get past trivia. Words are trivial, deeds aren't. So take solace from seeing a white man humiliated. Bask in this glow. Guess what about Imus? He's like many of US, he's rich and will recover. He will want for nothing and if he so desires, will certainly work again. His own shame will sting but like any sting it will disappate. At the end of the day, what do YOU have, black America? The same futile future you had before his comments. Wake up, and take true control of your lives. Go to school, stay off drugs, be honorable, raise your kids. Live like the rest of us and dismiss your so-called leaders. They care nothing about you, and THAT is the real racism, not a 66 year old man.
Rick at 1:44PM on Apr 14th 2007
67. Mr.Imus is hardly finished. His career is not demolished at all. He might continue on satellite radio or even another network. It might even be fox news, if they can take the heat from all those hypocritical politicians, corporations, or other entities. Could it have been that he merely wanted to be hip and use present day youth culture vocabulary?
The controversy will instead pressure the black community to scrutinize itself without using poetic licence, or the excuse that hip hop or gangsta rap reflect the society as it is, as a flimsy excuse for the demeaning way they reference black women.
If, however, the black community fails to be fairminded during this discussion, they will reveal their own hypocricy. Let's be honest. All people, black and white are prone to be prejudice.
The fat lady hasn't sung yet.
chris hufford at 2:02PM on Apr 14th 2007
68. Ok, I think there is a WHITE rapper that says the same shit in his songs as well Marlene Smith, get with the program, please!!!! As for only blacks saying ho's and ni**er and bitch or whatever, it's all damn races people, u hear it I hear it we all hear it!!! If everyone is so upset, y don't all the people that didn't want this to happen go to CBS or whatever station he got fired from, and try to start something to get him back! People pop all this stuff but wont do a damn thing about it, talk is one, doing something is another people! But one thing is, race issue will be going on for yrs to come, even after my kids, kids are gone from this earth! There's nothing we can do about it, unless u wanna knock on every door in the world and explain how we shouldn't hate one another, good luck with that!
Lilly at 2:25PM on Apr 14th 2007
69. We put it this way, we didn't slave ourselves, it that sh*t wasn't done in the first place, this right here would NOT be going on! ALL RACES CALL EACH OTHER NIGGERS! I SEE IT EVERYDAY! I'M SURE U DO 2! I SEEN THIS WHITE BOY CALL HIS BLACK FRIEND AND SAY WHAT UPS NIGGA, BUT, NOW I SAY BUT THE BLACK KID DIDN'T GET OFFENDED AT ALL!!! I GUESS IT WAS A KIND WORD! MAYBE NOW IN THIS DAY AND AGE THAT WORD JUST MEANS HI TO ALL RACES!!!!
Lilly at 2:25PM on Apr 14th 2007
70. To the rapper who enlightened me on the true meaning of "Ho": Thanks for clearing that up. A ho is a gold digger then, right? What about the adjective"nappy-haired"? Is there some special meaning too? Couldn't the music stand on its own without the name-calling?
chris hufford at 2:31PM on Apr 14th 2007
71. I do belive enough is enough. Don Imus has said he is sorry for what, To the basketball team and to them he should have but not to Al or Jessie, Who do they think they are. I am white male and if i had said it or called some one a niggor, I would not go to al or jessie and say I am sorry for saying it. I am not here to please the black people and neither is Imus, They had no right to demand anything from him, there not who the white people report to ,this has angured so many whites and made a wedge between blacks and whites. If al or Jessie was standing in from of me now, I would spit in there faces and tell them that they have just made things harder for everyone, I will not give a black any chances or help due to the resentment that the so called "leaders " have caused. Hope your happy there al and jessie. One other thing, I will say what I want to a black and if it offends them, get over it, I am not here to apease them.
Rick at 3:08PM on Apr 14th 2007
72. As for the whole Imus affair... there was full blown media coverage as the lead story for a whole week. When you didn't hear about Imus, the stories were about the Attorney General, and Rove's missing email. And let's not forget about stem cells curing diabetes. All just a diversion to take the focus off of the Dems who will not fulfill their 2006 campaign promise to end the war. Bush is still being accused of politicizing the war. But when the Dems want to leave US troops in Iraq until Septmeber 2008, that isn't politicization, right? It's a good thing no US soldiers died in Iraq this week, or did they? Well you didn't hear about it from the mainstream media. As for Mr. and Mrs. America, move along folks, there's no vast left wing conspiracy here.
PS - What Imus did was not merit his being fired. It was the Jackson and Sharpton threats to cut into the revenue of CBS and their sponsors that caused them to fire Imus. I think it's called extortion. Well, it's been paying Jacksons bills for years so it must be ok, right?
Imaprick at 3:59PM on Apr 14th 2007
73. Mr. Mirangoff,
"Scott Johnson has written, "from his promotion of . . ., to his defense of the Central Park 'wilding' rapists,"
The children convicted of that rape were later aquitted after serving many years in prison. Not because it was impossible for them to have been at the crime scene, as it was, or because they were held without attorney or parents until they confessed, but because DNA evidence exonerated them and the real killer was found. I guess all that does not mean anything to Johnson or perhaps he is an ignorant racist as you obviously are.
Brad Martin at 4:42PM on Apr 14th 2007
74. Maybe Jesse Jackson and Sharpton would like to pitch in and pay the $5 MILLION Dollars the three LaCross Players are in DEBT trying to defend themselves against a false accusation by a BLACK woman. Come on you BLACK RACISTS - cough up the $5 Million and give it to these three WHITE players who were falsy accused and had to pay lawyers this amount of money to clear their names due to the BLACK woman. Imagine the screaming Jesse and Sharpton would be doing if the three players were BLACK and the woman was WHITE - rotten, double standards that these two un-reverends have for blacks and whites. I wish they'd go crawl under a rock and stay there. They thrive on RACISM - they'd be broke without it and out stupid MEDIA plays right into their hands.
Meeche at 4:42PM on Apr 14th 2007
75. I'd like to go back to the 50's when Niggers were Niggers and Italians were Dagos and Mexicans were Spics and Jews were Kikes and guess what - NO ONE CARED OR SCREAMED RACISM OR FOUGHT ABOUT IT - WE WERE ALL VERY HAPPY - I'd go to the street vendor and ask for a DAGO BEEF SANDWICH, the signs read "Dago Beef Sandwiches" and NO ONE THOUGHT IT WAS racist. iT'S THE bLACKS WHO HAVE SCREAMED racist AND MADE LIFE SO ROTTEN MISSERABLE FOR EVERYONE - i AM SICK AND TIRED OF ALL THIS POLITICAL CORRECTNESS - GIVE ME BACK THE GOOD OLD DAYS - BY THE WAY, THE KKK WAS ALIVE AND WELL BACK THEN TOO. THE KKK, IF REVIVED, WOULD HAVE A LOT OF FUN WIPING OUT THE BLACK GANGS OF TODAY. THE BLACKS ARE GOING TO KEEP UP THIS CRAP WITH JESSE JACKSON AND SHARPTON UNTIL THE WHITES START TO TAKE EXTREME MEASURES AGAIN TO STOP IT - PERHAPS IT IS TIME FOR A CIVIL WAR BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES.
Meeche at 4:50PM on Apr 14th 2007