The New Criterion is a conservative magazine dedicated to promoting the highest standards of art and culture, what Matthew Arnold once termed "the best that has been thought and said in the world." A recent article by its editor, Roger Kimball, unfortunately seems to embody the very cultural decadence the magazine is supposed to be fighting.
Writing on the magazine's website, Kimball gives "two cheers for Don Imus." Is it because of the great charity work the guy has done? No, it's because he called the Rutgers women basketball players "nappy headed hos." Well, not only because of that. Kimball also notes that "Imus has insulted blacks, Arabs, gays, Catholics and women. "
So what's to praise about this guy? Kimball recognizes that "your mother would probably not approve of your calling anyone a nappy-headed ho, and your mother would of course be right. Gentlemen and ladies do not use such language." In putting things this way Kimball implies that the standard involved is terribly old-fashioned. We don't talk like our mothers, and we don't think of ourselves as gentlemen and ladies, and so we needn't be bound by their strictures.
While Kimball concedes that Imus's "brand of irreverence is not everyone's cup of tea," he argues that "irreverence is Imus' stock in trade, so why pick on him now?" Kimball fumes that "the idea that he should be pilloried and hounded out of his job because Sharpton and Jackson managed to whip up a frenzied, racially-inspired campaign against him is nothing less than disgusting."
I think Kimball's disgust is misplaced. Yes, Sharpton and Jackson are professional race-baiters. But so is Imus. Moreover, it wasn't race-baiting that got Imus fired. It was when lots of ordinary Americans saw this jerk with a megaphone lashing out at a bunch of women whose only offense was to be African American and to play well on a team. It was the meanness of the insult, and its sheer gratuitousness, that convinced many people who do not take their cues from Sharpton or Jackson to say "Enough."
Maybe Kimball thinks the penalty was too harsh. Fine. But one would expect a conservative magazine of culture to take a stand for ordinary decency and civility. For it instead to cheer Imus on the grounds that his vile abuse has been going on for years and so why now should it stop? Matthew Arnold must be turning in his grave.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1.
From the beginning of time, I believe that there have been people who understood the importance of civility and respect.
When these two things break down in a culture, nothing good has ever happened.
Freedom and free speech is beautiful. Humilating, demeaning, and shaming fellow citizens is ugly.
I fear for our culture should incivility and disrespect becomes a norm.
James Spencer at 10:25AM on Apr 16th 2007
2. This doesn't suprise me at all. The majority of "conservatives" I've come across admire ignorance, cunning and hate, and disdain intelligence, honesty and integrity. Dinesh, you must mingle exclusively with the civilized element of your party; there is no other explanation for your shock over this article!
Future K at 11:38AM on Apr 16th 2007
3. I hear the term 'race baiters' mentioned quite often when Jessie Jackson and Rev. Sharpton's names are brought up. One could say that these men sometimes get over-zealous when they are responding to another unarmed black killed by policemen. Or to double standards being administered in our nation's justice system. I remember once having a conversation with a guy, that was degrading Dr. Martin Luther King with various slander. I enlightened him that Dr. King should not be the thorn in is finger; that I and thousands would have died rather than have allowed Jim Crow and overt racism to continue. Perhaps now America will recoginze how deeply Afro-Americans; blacks, Coloured, whatever one wishes to call us, feel about comments such as the one Imus made and the climate that condones such.
Samuel Jones at 11:53AM on Apr 16th 2007
4. Don Imus was (until last week) the darling mouth piece of the Liberal media (NY Times), and thus the Democratic Party. On some mornings, it seemed that the entire staff of the Times news Op-ed and editorial Departments were on site proselytizing and obsequiously paying homage to Lord Imus.
For Liberal Dems to now claim that Imus was not their Homey, is to say to MSNBC Imus viewers "don't believe your lying eyes and ears" in this matter.
.
Bob Rogan at 3:04PM on Apr 16th 2007
5. Lets not lose sight of the fact that this has all come about because of al sharpton's hate mongering of whites. Many think that this so called Rev. (really a preacher of hate) has no job. This is untrue, He is employed by black racism. He cannot afford to stop spewing his filth or he would be in the welfare lines also. I would not mind paying an extra dollar in welfare taxes if it would just make him go away. I have been reading all of the postings about IMUS the last few days. Thousands of us are tired of the reverse racism going on. We need to do more than just lipservice on here. There is enough of us to make a change. Everyone tired of this crap has a duty to e-mail; sharptons supporters and demand that they stop supporting this hate platform. Let them worry about losing dollars like msnbc did with IMUS. Some of the main ones are Walmart, McDonalds and P&G. If you really believe like most everyone posting seems to, take 10 min. of your time to send e-mails to sharptons sponsors.
DM at 4:19PM on Apr 16th 2007
6. the two reverends have done more for the republican presidential candidates, then they could do for themselfs. also we now know we can't follow womens college basketball, we know what tv networks not to watch and what products not to buy. thanks holy men
flower at 8:09PM on Apr 16th 2007
7. Liberals and Conservatives lined up to be humiliated by Don Imus so that they could sell their latest book, gain political capital, or just get some air time. What is disgusting is that they stood by and pretended it was Meet The Press while Don Imus called people fat, ugly, racial names, etc.. It was no secret: they knew and they enabled him, his wife and his crew.
Meanwhile, Imus and his wife set-up a camp (The Imus Camp) and backed a wing at Hackensack Hospital (The Deidra Imus Center) It always seemed that it was about these two self-centered narcisitic bores.
They paraded their spoiled obnoxious son Wyatt on the show where he would call his parents names.
Good bye and Good luck.
Charles at 9:49PM on Apr 16th 2007
8. To begin - I was never a fan of Don Imus - sure I heard him over the years but I coundn't get into the show for serveral reasons -
I thought he was too crewl to his audience, guests and in-house group
I felt that he continued to push the envelope of bad taste (and until last week0 got away with it
He was too full of himself most of the time.
And finally, the show was just too much of an inside gag all the time and if you tuned in you felt like an outsider.
Having said that, and the fact that Imus' remarks about the Rutgers Girls Basketball team were way out of place and in poor taste - especially since he didn't even know these young girls - I do feel that throwing him under the bus will not stop bad and inappropriate behavior on the radio, tv and the music industry.
Probably 40+ years ago radio DJ's, commentators and talk hosts (Imus being in that initial group) began to push the envelope of bad taste and found little or no resistance. In fact, they found the opposite - ratings!
Over the years more and more stations have employed "shock jocks" who continually push the envelope (and past it) of bad taste. The ratings are there.
Imus is only one. In fact, give hime credit for his charitable efforts (not insignificant I might add and his interviews with many in government). But you have to place the blame squarley on the following -
The advertisers who support the "shock jocks."
The reason Imus is off the air is because the sponsors pulled the plug - not MSNBC or CBS. But rest assured that these and other sponsors are still sponsoring other shock jocks right now.
The stations are equally responsible for accepting this kind of behavior. It's the ratings stupid! Big ratings make big money.
And last but not least - The Listening Public. If you listen to these airwaves, you are showing support and building ratings. By turning off these stations you make a statement, but you still to go one step further and that is to voice your opinions to the stations, the sponsors, and the FCC and the "shock Jocks" that this behavior must end now. We the people own the airwaves and permit the stations and networks to use them.
Scquack at 8:54PM on Apr 17th 2007
9. I have listened to Don and his crew for quite some time as a bystander to a male who enjoys his show and the usually candid comments of the politicians who frequent his broadcast. I was offended at first but then realized it was a man's thing - bantering between the boys. Some of it really bad and some of it aimed at each other and the laughter was just as loud when they berated one another - even stated they were looking forward to Imus' death! Well they got what they said they were looking forward to. I am sure they never dreamed his death would be as a result of the response to his and his producers comments about the Rutgers and at the hand of the two "preacher-men" Al and Jesse. They hurt Barac-Obama and the democratic party more than they can ever imagine! Hope we boycott them. I found their behavior much more offensive than I have ever felt Don Imus' comments were. Don Imus should run to the Civil Limberties Union and demand representation for having his rights infringed upon! Run Don Run!!!!Don't walk! RUN!!!
Sandy clay at 12:33AM on Apr 18th 2007
10. that racist need to run away from all black people from now on
Lara at 12:41PM on Apr 19th 2007
11. I agree with the firing of Imus - and I also feel that Jackson, Sharpton, and all who play and support certain rap artists - and the artists themselves - should lose their jobs and credibility.
Racism and bigotry have no place here in these United States. It doesn't matter what the race of the people are who espouse this garbage. Racism is racism no matter what color you are.
Patricia Hoskins at 9:33PM on Apr 19th 2007