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Topic: Should Imus Be Fired For 'Nappy 'Hos' Comment?
| Author | Message |
| Bsadick | Posted – 4/9/2007 12:19:18 PM | show profile | email poster Imus Should Not Be Fired Imus should not be fired. He is not politically correct, thank God, and he and his staff make fun of all people equally. I think it was unfortunate that he made that particular comment last Wednesday, but if one watches his show regularly, he makes comments about all religious and racial groups. He is a modern day Lenny Bruce. Aside from all of that, he has a very intelligent, interesting morning program - excellent guests and coverage of politics, great banter, and incredibly good music. Give the guy a break. He and his wife have taken on a host of admirable projects. I always look forward to his program. I like the fact that he is a crank with a huge heart. |
| Seabully | Posted – 4/9/2007 12:23:58 PM | show profile 911 After 911 old Imus told the world my show is not about me, when in fact its all about him. Let O'Rielly, Sean Hannity or Rush try this and see what happens. Git-er-Done and drop him ------ When all seems wrong try moving right. |
| Kitt | Posted – 4/9/2007 12:27:20 PM | show profile Maybe I missed something..... WFAN Radio." Imus deflected criticism, urging critics to "not worry about some idiot saying something meant to be amusing." Pardon me, but what business does Mr. Imus have using those particular words to describe a specific women's basketball team? Were there no other available. They are at worst, racist, and at best - insultive. I'm from 'out west' & went east for college. Then I discovered Mr. Imus. I never understood the draw. He came across as a wannabe cowboy who was crude & disgusting. Bernie (his apparent sidekick) although somewhat more grammatic in word was (and is) just as crude. I find no humor in what was said. I found no humor in it when I first read his & Bernie's word nor when I viewed the video last week. |
| Norsborn | Posted – 4/9/2007 12:31:13 PM | show profile Rutgers Women's Basketball Team This is a fine team with an exceptional, accomplished coach who beat popular, venerable Duke University. These young women are exceptional athletes and do not deserve negative comments of any description and certainly do not deserve racial slurs. Shame on Imus. The answer is don't listen to him. |
| aragonite | Posted – 4/9/2007 12:34:02 PM | show profile Bad Boy Imus To what chasm of history has freedom of speech vanished. The Imus "seismic event" is one of those marvelous examples of our continued fall from free speech, free ideas and the ideal of anyone saying the stupidest things, but my right not to listen or to answer back. Political correctness must be a two-way street: Imaus says stupid things, wise things, funny things and boring things. No one has to listen. The man is remarkably unbiased in virtually all his dealings, an amazingly generous contributor for charities and good deeds, and like to startle and tweak with out rageous doings now and then. One myust ask, where is the generous spirit of forgiveness for Imus as contrasted with the stupidity of Jesse Jackson's "Hymie Town" and other anti-semitic invectives or his shakedowns of corporate America; the racism of the "honorable" Reverend Sharpton or the insanity and meaness of that purveyor of vile stupidity, Louis Farakan (have I spelled that correctly?). Despite the fact that the Reverend King, now annointed, was demonstrated to have plagerized a good deal of his dissertaion, and other less than flattering "discoveries," there is no outcry of "fairness" or correcting the record. Freedom is an open-ended ride. There is no certainty of wisdom, and all mortals slip now and then--it goes with the territory. Instead of protesting the ramblings of a "character" that no one has to watch or hear, spend the energy teaching a few kids how to read and write, or the foolishness of gang violence. Proportion is everything. |
| FFISHMAN | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:02:16 PM | show profile Micheal Richards Syndrome Imus is famous for saying politically incorrect things, or letting his henchman, Bernard McGurk say them, and then feigning indignation....when Lord knows he can stop it if he wanted too. Most of the stuff is innocuous, and has to be taken in the context of the show's irreverent posture. But "nappy-headed hos" is SO inappropriate and hurtful that is seems to go beyond the usual borderline insulting comments. Instead, it harkens back to that stooge Michael Richards, whose nearly insane comments brought to light a frightening possibilty: White People Are still Racists. As a card-carrying White person, who still gets tears in his eyes when I hear Dr. Martin Luther King speak, if find that possibility......impossible. Yet, here we are again, trying to figure out how an otherwise normal, and in this case, an unusually caring person, can turn into a Simon Legree wanabee at the drop of a hat. It makes no sense, unless you delve deeply into the psyche of White people, and see that all of them (at least the ones over 50 years old) tacitly, if not overtly, agreed to grow up and live in a racist society. Unless you begin to realize that legislation in 1964, that finally made racist unconstititional, and all the other positive steps toward equality, haven't been accepted, at least on an unconscious level, by White people. Sure, we've accepted the laws, we are law abiding citizens. But when push comes to anger (Richards) or trying to be funny (Richards and Imus), our true feeling emerge, in all their ugliness. On a personal level, I've always loved Black people, more than White people....just have, never gave it any deep thought. Now, I'm wondering if it's a coverup for my real feelings. I pray that's not the case. |
| dotdashdot | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:06:34 PM | show profile Not should, but when Don Imus should be put out to pasture. He's a boor and a bully. Let him make wallets and trinkets on his dude ranch. Then again, we should have seen this coming. A man who still dresses like he's on his way to a Creedence concert is clearly still stuck in the sixties. Meanwhile, besides his clumsy backward thinking, where was the studio management? Why wasn't Imus suspended the moment he revealed his true nature? It appears to me that he has intimidated the management. Perhaps Mr. Imus has their testicles in a jar in his desk drawer. Someone at MSNBC should take charge and give him his pink slip. No "review", no "under discussion", no "visit with HR". What Imus needs is a boot in the ass and a carboard box for his tchotckes. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:12:05 PM | show profile Actually, Cosell was never fired. The "little monkey" comment drew a firestorm -- some thought it was racist, others thought it an innocuous comment. He resigned before the start of the next football season, perhaps from the strain of the incident, and perhaps because it was suggested he resigned, but he was never fired. I am no lawyer, but I doubt Imus comments would run afoul of FCC regulations. --A World of Double Standards Free speech aside, our airwaves are governed by the FCC, where I presume there are rules against hate communications and sanctions for broadcasters and companies that air them. So #1, the FCC must weigh in and levy heavy fines for the vitriol that Imus et al spewed. Secondly, heavier hitters than Imus have been fired for less -- for example, Howard Koszel was sacked from Monday Night Football for saying, "Look at that monkey run!" and it was construed as racial bias. And finally, in the very least, it is clear that Imus et al need diversity training. Subject them to it and they'll learn why sensitivity in broadcasting, combined with good judgment, is necessary to make our world a better place.-- |
| ipittman26 | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:13:48 PM | show profile | email poster IMUS For Imus to make such a remark and then say that he is not a racist indicates someone clearly out of touch with history. There is nothing amusing about his remarks. He should be removed from the airwaves! |
| gniessgirl | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:25:20 PM | show profile Should Imus Be Fired For 'Nappy 'Hos' Comment? Imus is heinous and obviously a coward and has been for years. I just read that he apologized to Al Sharpton - why? That's racist, as well. Was this the morning's production meeting's consensus to "Go find a 'black', 'any black', so Imus make a disingeniuous apology, lay low for a while until the next offense"? He should pretend to man-up (because he's incapable of doing so for real) and invite the women from the Rutgers basketball team on his show and face them. Let the world hear him explain why he thought it would be funny denegrate them in such a horrible manner that has nothing to do with basketball but everything to do with their race and gender. Afterward, he should still be fired, to send a message. There are people in broadcasting who would do a MUCH BETTER JOB without hate, for a lot less cash. Give them a chance. |
| The Claire-i-fyer | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:43:44 PM | show profile Imus' comments on Rutgers team Oh, oh, Don, now you've done it. You just weren't thinking, were you? I'm a "brown" woman (I never bill myself as African Amerian, just American but I proudly tout my African as well as Caucasian and Native American roots) and yes, my reaction was "No he did NOT say that!" But he did (and Bernard was no less guilty) It's a sad and unfortunate situation but firing him is not going to solve the problem. My mother-in-law is Caucasian and she once used the word "nappy" to describe one of her grandchildren's hair (we have an eclectic family) I chided her, saying that the word was politically incorrect and she was truly shocked. She had no idea that the term was offensive. I think Don could have made a more sincere apology, but let's face it. He's gruff on the outside, a pussycat on the inside and although his words were poorly chosen, I don't see him as a racist. He's a big Harold Ford supporter and an equal oppotunity offender. Meanwhile, just wash his mouth out with some of Deirdre's "Cleaning the Green." And, Don, next time, engage brain before opening mouth. ------ Making new things familiar, familiar things new |
| purplehersong9884 | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:51:55 PM | show profile Fire Imus Imus' comments are outrageous! His comments qualify as hate crime even though he thinks they are made in fun. His comments are hateful, ignorant and rude. Our young black women have achieved great things in the world of sports and deserve nothing but praise and support. FIRE IMUS! |
| tmark58 | Posted – 4/9/2007 1:52:54 PM | show profile | email poster Just spoke with Revered Al Al and Imus just spoke. Al said the whole thing is just a big mix up. he loves the Imus show. Here is the deal. 1. Imus must have Reverend al on his show once a month and apoligize 2. imus must give $1 to every black person in America - that's probably millions!!!!!! 3. MSNBC agrees to give Al his own talk show - probably Tucker Carlson's spot. It will be called ' Closer to Godm with rev Al 4. Imus must limit his tirades to gays, jews and old white cbs news people (unless they are black) 5. Imus must sit at a Knick's game with Spike Lee and wear a Rutgers woman jersey 6. Imus must have his daughters attend Rutgers and live in off campus housing in New Brunswick. Looks like this is over people. |
| sfischo | Posted – 4/9/2007 2:41:58 PM | show profile IMUS Talk radio seems mostly scott free when it comes to insults to various demographic groups, including racial/ethnic groups. Imus has always been edgy on social/political matters. I?ve heard no racial missteps before but then I don?t listen to him regularly. If he has a pattern of racism on his show it means something different than if he got caught up in the yahoo banter that often accompanies sports watching. If not, I guess he should just be admonished to watch who he hangs out with on the air and trades off-the-cuff comments with. And he should do more than simply apologize to Rutgers players. Maybe scholariship contribution would help. But I don?t think he should be taken off the air. He cares deeply for many kids, especially those with handicaps. And we all need some slack every now and then. |
| edmund.singleton | Posted – 4/9/2007 2:47:10 PM | show profile | email poster Fire Imus-Hell No If Imus should be fired then lets fire, Rush, Wallace, Leno, Stuart, Kimmel, Letterman and O'Brien and anyone else who ever uttered an ethnic slur to get a laugh... |
| unc1dmo | Posted – 4/9/2007 3:00:50 PM | show profile imus like imus once told john kerry awhile back..."just shut up, already...." talking this to death on sharpton show etc will accomplish nothing......it was painfully uncomfortable to l.isten to the show this am... he should have been suspended that day by the station...to defuse this firestorm.... bernard should be de-miked and muted forever rosenberg should be banned from the show the guy that does all the ethnic characters ...should be re assigned to do some thing else.... i love the interviews...i HATE the idiotic diarrhea these inner studio morons do in between the interviews...... |
| phil72 | Posted – 4/9/2007 3:05:43 PM | show profile Fire Imus? I am not sure if Imus should be fired. His program crosses a line between news and entertainment. If it's entertainment, then perhaps this should be viewed as a choice - just like we choose to go to a particular movie or not. However, if Imus is considered a journalist, I don't think his comments can be tolerated. There's no room for comments that are so demoralizing and devisive in a broadcast that people depend on for news and information. I personally find his comments deplorable and I feel sorry for the women on Rutgers' basketball team. They did nothing but work hard to win a lot of games and their reward is being disparaged in this way and being thrust into the national limelight for something other than their talent as student athletes. Some of the comments on this board - I am not going to name names have been unbelievable. The idea that all African Americans should be lumped into one pool - many African Americans don't use the "n-word" for example and shun its use - is incredible. That has been the subject of a number of articles recently in African American publications and columns written by black columnists. The problem with this kind of free speech is that it is inflammatory and it affirms negative views of an entire group of people who continue to be marginalized in this country. Sure, there are blacks who don't work to achieve certain things, but there are also whites and people of other ethnic groups who aren't high achievers. Making things harder for anyone who doesn't traditionally hold a great deal of power in this country - women, latinos, the disabled - just hurts society and distracts us from bigger issues such as the environment, international relations, poverty, etc. We are getting way too distracted by crap like this and pop singers who shave their heads. We need to pay attention to what really matters. |
| unc1dmo | Posted – 4/9/2007 3:14:01 PM | show profile get 'em all i don't wanna hear any dirty mouthed stand up comedians...or rappers spewing this derogotory crap either.....out over the public airways... So let imus take his place in line behind all those foul mouth jerks...who are way way in front of him in this line..... If imus goes..then all these sicko's should... no more hbo for rock..murphy...eddie griffin ....def comedy jam... etc... and rappers.....they all should be banned from maiking cd's and doing concerts... once they've crossed the line..... they all should be accountable and stand up to censureship.... |
| GMorin | Posted – 4/9/2007 3:48:19 PM | show profile Imus, 'bout time I gave up on Imus about ten years ago after listening to one more of his many racist remarks. He always claimed he wasn't a racist, but he is, maybe he just doesn't know it. Glad to hear he's finally getting called out on it. |
| nekalit | Posted – 4/9/2007 4:11:32 PM | show profile Like, is this Guy poster serious? I am enjoying laughing at him, but I just wanted to check. On a seperate note, has Don Imus looked at his hair recently? I'm just wondering. |
| swayne | Posted – 4/9/2007 4:25:43 PM | show profile napster Stevie Wonder - Looking back on when I Was a little nappy headed boy Then my only worry Was for Christmas what would be my toy Well, suppose it's the context |
| Lynette2 | Posted – 4/9/2007 4:31:03 PM | show profile Imus should be fired after he apologizes to the world Don Imust be an idiot should be fired for all the horrid comments be has made! He should be required to apologize to the Rutgers girls, the coach, the school and the entire planet and it should be done in public, like yesterday and then be fired and forever banned from the airways! |
| nekalit | Posted – 4/9/2007 4:39:49 PM | show profile We don't need Stevie Wonder lyrics from the cd "Songs In the Key of Life" to know that hair texture is sometimes referred to as "nappy". I would like to know why he called the team black hoes. By nappy headed, I'm assuming he was addressing those of African descent and I guess a few other groups that fit in there, so why was it appropriate to call women hoes? I still don't get the joke. Help me to understand. |
| anabarbararenaud | Posted – 4/9/2007 4:42:40 PM | show profile | email poster Imus isn't funny, smart or radical It's easy to hurt other people who don't look like you. There's nothing remotely valuable about Imus, and the public owns the airwaves, not him or the powerful people he's making money for. He's not the only one - there's Coulter, Stern, and others who traffic in hate, not discourse. Why don't they just say they want the whole country to be white and get rid of the rest of us? That's what they want, right? This is the result of deregulated media, bottom-line profits. It has to stop. Are you listening, presidential candidates? |
| johnsam64 | Posted – 4/9/2007 5:52:12 PM | show profile No point in firing Imus Boneheaded, insensitive and unfortunate recent statements aside, the man brings more enlightened and entertaining debate and intellectual fodder to the airwaves than 95% of his radio counter-parts. This incident, in fact, will most probably insure an entirely new level of racial sensitivity and heightened awareness of vital racial issues and topics to his show. If, however, he is fired as some demand, he would surely wind up with his own satellite radio show by next week, no worse for the wear financially. But meanwhile the radio listening public will lose one of the few remaining sources of lively, FREE political discourse, and his critics will lose all leverage to try and turn this incident into a constructive "teachable moment " for the general public or to influence Imus to use his bully pulpit for more positive racial messages in the future... Calls for firing are short-sighted and self-defeating... |
