Don Imus' comments

[HL2addict]

I had ehard on the today show about these comments by Don Imus, and from what i'm reading, (i can't even find what he actually said in ANY news reports except "nappy haired ho") I really dont understand why everyone is so up in arms. I've read a LOT worse in songs by Eminem, 2pac, dr. dre, and chingy just by looking up their lyrics. These artists have had these depraving songs out for years and no one has said a peep about them. So.. why is this guy getting so much heat by speaking his opinion on a radio? Eminem has sold millions and millions of records, far more people have heard his lyrics than on this guy's radio show. Now, I don't condone racism at all, I don't really understand the point of judging anyone by what color skin they have in the first place, but I just don't get why the news has to be all up in arms about this one guy and turn a blind eye to the obvious demeaning lyrics in most of the top 25 rap artist's songs in 2007-2001.

 

[Candy art]

he hurt there feelings.


That's it really.

 

[mindless_moder]

its really the difference in the medium. you expect rap to be filled with that kind of junk but you really don't expect a commentator to say something like that at a WOMEN'S basketball game.

 

[gick]

Who? What? Whats going on?

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but did Imus even mention Afican-Americans in his comments?? Did he say "black nappy-haired hos"?? Also, I know for a fact there's a few white women on that team.

I guess my point is, well...any woman can be called a ho...white or black. And if the experts are suggesting, then, that a white woman can't have nappy hair...well, I must disagree. Maybe I'm being naive, but the existance of a white player on this team, to me, places this in the sexist remark category more than anything. No less offensive, of course...but, then again, I don't listen to Don Imus, so I don't know his prior history or his feelings on the African-american community.

Look...he should not be fired for this. It's just my opinion...but look what it took for Howard Stern to finally, depending on who you ask, be removed from the air. There were things that happened on that show that I think would be considered so much more offensive...and further, look how long he lasted. I don't know how many times the N-word was uttered on his show...I know, for a fact, that I heard it numerous times. Again, I don't even recall Don Imus saying the word "black" or "african-american" to accompany his comments. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Tyguy]

Its not even the girls that are getting upset, its everyone else. Friggen white people are mad as hell and the only logical reason is so they can be mad about something. Stupid white people....

 

[Dalamari]

CBS better stand behind Imus on this one, usually CBS radio backs down to public backlash, but it's so obvious he said the remark as a joke that there's no reason ANYBODY should be outraged. I watch Imus every morning, the man donates a ridiculous amount to charity and has been doing radio for almost 30 years, all this stuff over 1 comment is just bullshit.

 

[staticprimer]

You know, those comments he made aren't even out of the ordinary for him. He bashes everyone. Plus, taken in context what he said didn't seem that bad. This whole thing is stupid and blown WAY out of proportion.

 

[Vigilante]

It makes me angry that this has caused such a stir. I don't watch his show but Imus has been around for a long time and gives a lot to charity.

I think it's funny how Dave Chappelle (sp?) gets away with this stuff (and is endorsed by Comedy Central) on public television on a weekly basis. A white guy says something similar and there is hell to pay. GOOD GAME AMERICA!!

 

[Icarusintel]

Freedom of speech... unless you're white male making a comment/joke that could possibly be construed as racist/sexist.


Shit like this pisses me off. When people aren;t even allowed to joke around without worrying about being sued, it's a sad state of affairs. True enough, jokes can be in poor taste, but still, calling for someone's resignation is ridiculous. Call him out on it and let it go.

 

[Tyguy]

Its manufactured, no one actually cares about the comment....

 

[Shakermaker]

In what context did Imus say this by the way? Why was he talking about them?

 

[Absinthe]

WHAT DID HE SAY

 

[Shasta]

Lol. Now he's just another "Nig**r Guy". South Park rocks.

DISCLAIMER (Probably needed here...) You need to have seen the South Park ep "With apologies to Jesse Jackson" to know what I'm on about, and to realise I'm not actually being racist, but giving a name to someone publicly abused for public "racism".

 

[No Limit]

What he said was not only offensive but also extremely idiotic. However, the guy has done a lot of good. And I really don't believe he is a racist, you can go back to when hurricane katrina was going on, he ones one of the very limited few that actually defended Kanye West's comment about how "Bush doesn't care about black people".

What really shocks me is how this entire thing blew up, with all the other problems we continue to face in this country and around the world the top story on most news programs has been this Imus thing.

 

[Tyguy]

Had it been a black guy saying something about a white womans basketball team, no one would of made a sound. To a point that can be understood, but if this ends up getting him fired, theres a serious problem with our countries priorities....

 

[No Limit]

Had it been a black guy saying something about a white womans basketball team, no one would of made a sound. To a point that can be understood, but if this ends up getting him fired, theres a serious problem with our countries priorities....

If a black guy said something as offensive as Imus said there would probably be a lot of outrage too. I don't believe he should be fired but to try and defend what he said with the usual "if a black guy did it..." line isn't fair in my opinion. What could a black guy possibly say to a white person that would be as offensive as this was? Remember, he called a group of highly educated young woman nappy-headed hoes simply because of their skin color. Many of these studnets have straight As.

 

[CptStern]

Had it been a black guy saying something about a white womans basketball team, no one would of made a sound. To a point that can be understood, but if this ends up getting him fired, theres a serious problem with our countries priorities....

yadda yadda yadda ..I dont even care what Imus said but it irritates me that whenever a black person complains of racism white people automatically say "well if it was a black guy who said something racist ..."

for the love of god please answer as to how that statement has anything to do with the this story? please I'd really like to know ..the only thing I can come up is that the people who say that really are racist because they're saying "well if it's ok for someone else to be racist, then it's ok in this particular situation" ...please prove me wrong Tyguy

and yes there would be tons of outrage had a black person made the same comment ...mostly from the people I just described

"oh so it's ok for black people to be racist but not white? .. what's america coming to? we were here first!!!1"

 

[Lt. Drebin]

If a black guy said something as offensive as Imus said there would probably be a lot of outrage too. I don't believe he should be fired but to try and defend what he said with the usual "if a black guy did it..." line isn't fair in my opinion. What could a black guy possibly say to a white person that would be as offensive as this was?

To your point, No Limit, when Jesse Jackson went on an anti-semetic tirade a few years back, I do recall a tad bit of outrage associated with it. But, I will say, it blew over rather quickly...just an example.

Remember, he called a group of highly educated young woman nappy-headed hoes simply because of their skin color. Many of these studnets have straight As.

Again, I really believe that the fact there are white women on the team accompanied with the fact that he didn't even mention skin color, really diminishes this as a racially charged comment. This was sexist, IMO...and no less offensive. Imus is a moron for this stupid comment. But, as I've mentioned, I don't listen to Imus, so I don't know if I'm just being naive.

Now, I'm not saying that it's a stretch to view this as racist. I can see it since most of the women on the team are black. Also, can people who say this kind of garbage in a public forum PLEASE stop apologizing to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton...Please. To quote South Park...they are not "Dual Emperors of Black People". How does apologizing to this one person make everything ok...if I were black, I would think this the most ridiculous thing ever and I would also be offended by the apology.

 

[Tyguy]

If a black guy said something as offensive as Imus said there would probably be a lot of outrage too.

Thats completely wrong, they get away with it because they know we dont have a leg to stand on as far as racism goes

yadda yadda yadda ..I dont even care what Imus said but it irritates me that whenever a black person complains of racism white people automatically say "well if it was a black guy who said something racist ..."

for the love of god please answer as to how that statement has anything to do with the this story? please I'd really like to know ..the only thing I can come up is that the people who say that really are racist because they're saying "well if it's ok for someone else to be racist, then it's ok in this particular situation" ...please prove me wrong Tyguy

and yes there would be tons of outrage had a black person made the same comment ...mostly from the people I just described

"oh so it's ok for black people to be racist but not white? .. what's america coming to? we were here first!!!1"

Did you actually see what he said?

Are you saying that if a black guy called black basketball players "nappy headed hoes", he would get in as much trouble as Imus? Dont be so close-minded...

The point I was making is that we are constantly being exposed to this type of language and persona yet people get all upset when its regurgitated. Its ok for a Rapper to shoot off the word hoe in every other line, but if a "white" guy uses it, then he should be fired.

And as far as freedom of speech goes, its not Freedom of speech (unless your white or speaking negatively towards a persons race).

Also, can people who say this kind of garbage in a public forum PLEASE stop apologizing to Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton...Please. To quote South Park...they are not "Dual Emperors of Black People". How does apologizing to this one person make everything ok...if I were black, I would think this the most ridiculous thing ever and I would also be offended by the apology.

I agree, this bullshit tirade of apologizing to a so called African American delegate is stupid. How can black people not feel offended that jesse jackson and all sharpton are basically representing them as a race?

 

[CptStern]

Did you actually see what he said?

Are you saying that if a black guy called black basketball players "nappy headed hoes", he would get in as much trouble as Imus? Dont be so close-minded...

what does that have to do with anything? how do you fail to see my point?

The point I was making is that we are constantly being exposed to this type of language and persona yet people get all upset when its regurgitated. Its ok for a Rapper to shoot off the word hoe in every other line, but if a "white" guy uses it, then he should be fired.

again what does this have to do with anything? are you suggesting that any sort of racism is justified because other people use it? that's utterly rediculous

And as far as freedom of speech goes, its not Freedom of speech (unless your white or speaking negatively towards a persons race).

you keep saying the same shit over and over again ..how do you not see my point? you're exactly what I described ..you even prove it by regurgitating the exact same thing you said earlier


"oh so it's ok for black people to be racist but not white? .. what's america coming to? we were here first!!!1"

 

[No Limit]

To your point, No Limit, when Jesse Jackson went on an anti-semetic tirade a few years back, I do recall a tad bit of outrage associated with it. But, I will say, it blew over rather quickly...just an example.

That's why the way this blew up really kind of shocked me. We can't get the media to talk about the Downing Street Memos, the lies associated with this war, yet when a guy makes a stupid offensive racial comment it is on every network as the #1 story for almost a week straight.

Again, I really believe that the fact there are white women on the team accompanied with the fact that he didn't even mention skin color, really diminishes this as a racially charged comment. This was sexist, IMO...and no less offensive. Imus is a moron for this stupid comment. But, as I've mentioned, I don't listen to Imus, so I don't know if I'm just being naive.

I've listened to Imus on many different occasions and making stupid jokes is part of the program. But in this case from what he said he was not talking about the white women. The reason it was racial was because of the nappy headed term which is used as a offensive slang to specifically describe a black womans hair. So he clearly meant it in a racial and not sexist way.

 

[Tyguy]

Let me reiterate, i still think it was stupid and wrong for him to say it. The fact that he may lose his job is what pisses me off

 

[No Limit]

Thats completely wrong, they get away with it because they know we dont have a leg to stand on as far as racism goes

Ok, lets play. I'm a white guy (I really am) and lets pretend you are black. I just called you a "porch monkey" and a "******". Go a head, fire your best racial insult against white people that will cut just as deep as what I just said to you. What can you possibly say to me that will bring back painful stereotypes of my race?

You really fail to see the point, you should be ashamed of yourself.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

I've listened to Imus on many different occasions and making stupid jokes is part of the program. But in this case from what he said he was not talking about the white women. The reason it was racial was because of the nappy headed term which is used as a offensive slang to specifically describe a black womans hair. So he clearly meant it in a racial and not sexist way.

Yeah...I don't disagree. As I said...I can see it. I do know a few white women with nappy hair, though...hahah.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Let me reiterate, i still think it was stupid and wrong for him to say it. The fact that he may lose his job is what pisses me off

He's not losing his job. He got suspended for 2 weeks, which I think is a fair punishment for a stupid comment.

 

[Tyguy]

Ok, lets play. I'm a white guy (I really am) and lets pretend you are black. I just called you a "porch monkey" and a "******". Go a head, fire your best racial insult against white people that will cut just as deep as what I just said to you. What can you possibly say to me that will bring back painful stereotypes of my race?

You really fail to see the point, you should be ashamed of yourself.

hahaha, ya im really shamed over here. The complexity of your jargon really confuses me

Your rhetorical scenario doesn't really explain what I said. Actually, it straightens my point. Black people can get away with more because worse has happened to them.

He's not losing his job. He got suspended for 2 weeks, which I think is a fair punishment for a stupid comment.

So far no he has not. However, advertisers are starting to leave, which is not a good sign

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Tyguy, I really disagree here. Racism of any kind is not going to be tolerated by any institution of median.

A recent example...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/03/28/richardson.cba.ap/index.html

This is a black man making a racial remark. There was outage...he's probably going to be fired last I heard. Forget the public outrage...this crap won't be tolerated by anyone. This was small time admitadly so, but I can remember it being on sports radio for like 2 days. People were pissed.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

So far no he has not. However, advertisers are starting to leave, which is not a good sign

That's a big possibility, definitly. But, it's way different from the network firing him...which I don't beleive they will.

 

[Tyguy]

That's a big possibility, definitly. But, it's way different from the network firing him...which I don't beleive they will.

If the advertisers pull out, they wont have a choice but to fire him

Tyguy, I really disagree here. Racism of any kind is not going to be tolerated by any institution of median.

A recent example...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/nba/03/28/richardson.cba.ap/index.html

This is a black man making a racial remark. There was outage...he's probably going to be fired last I heard. Forget the public outrage...this crap won't be tolerated by anyone. This was small time admitadly so, but I can remember it being on sports radio for like 2 days. People were pissed.

Interesting how he didn't say anything bad about jews, only that they were "crafty people".....

 

[CptStern]

hahaha, ya im really shamed over here. The complexity of your jargon really confuses me

Your rhetorical scenario doesn't really explain what I said. Actually, it straightens my point. Black people can get away with more because worse has happened to them.

boy you're thick headed ..and that's not what No limit meant ..all he said was that racial insults mean more to blacks because they as a culture experienced it throughout their history ..not so for white people

So far no he has not. However, advertisers are starting to leave, which is not a good sign

in other words he should be fired ..in any other business when someone's inappropriate comments lead to revenue loss they are fired ..even before the revenue loss because in advertising image/public perception is everything. No one wants to associate themselves with a product/service that could be percieved as racist ..it's just bad business practice

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Interesting how he didn't say anything bad about jews, only that they were "crafty people".....

Uhhhhhh...stereotypes are bad.

 

[Tyguy]

Uhhhhhh...stereotypes are bad.

some yes, but if someone called you smart cause your a certain race, would you be mad?

boy you're thick headed ..and that's not what No limit meant ..all he said was that racial insults mean more to blacks because they as a culture experienced it throughout their history ..not so for white people

Enough with your juvenile insults...either argue your point or dont. Allow the possibility that not everyone is as liberal as you

 

[Lt. Drebin]

some yes, but if someone called you smart cause your a certain race, would you be mad?

OK...as an example...ask the Asian kid who sucks at math. If everyone believed the stereotype that all Asians excel at math, how would we know to give that kid the help he needs or, further, how fair would it be to hold him at extremely high standards because we believe that everyone in his race is a math genius. It's negative, trust me. Nothing positive arises from stereotyping.

 

[Tyguy]

OK...as an example...ask the Asian kid who sucks at math. If everyone believed the stereotype that all Asians excel at math, how would we know to give that kid the help he needs or, further, how fair would it be to hold him at extremely high standards because we believe that everyone in his race is a math genius. It's negative, trust me. Nothing positive arises from stereotyping.

ok, your taking what i said a little too literal...your right though

 

[CptStern]

Enough with your juvenile insults...either argue your point or dont. Allow the possibility that not everyone is as liberal as you

what insults? I called you thick headed ..it means you're stubborn, how is that an insult? and what does being "liberal" have to do with not using logical fallacies to defend something that's indefensible?

 

[The Monkey]

Can anyone say what the hell is going on?

What did he say and in what context?

 

[No Limit]

Can anyone say what the hell is going on?

What did he say and in what context?

They were discussing the Womans NCAA basketball tournaments when the following was said:

IMUS: That?s some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos and?

McGUIRK: Some hard-core hos.

IMUS: That?s some nappy-headed hos there. I?m gonna tell you that now, man, that?s some?woo. And the girls from Tennessee, they all look cute, you know, so, like?kinda like?I don?t know.

McGUIRK: A Spike Lee thing.

IMUS: Yeah.

McGUIRK: The Jigaboos vs. the Wannabes?that movie that he had.

 

[The Monkey]

Thanks, No Limit, welcome back BTW.

Doesn't seem like much of a big deal to me.

 

[gick]

I fail to see the problem here.