People News
By Stone Martindale Apr 11, 2007, 23:11 GMT
MSNBC severs ties with Don Imus
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Older Talkback
I can't believe that MSNBC dumped Imus. The real racists here are Jesse 'Hymietown' Jackson and Al 'Tawana Brawley' Sharpton. It's incredible that they are calling Imus a racist. Imus has raised more money for more kids in need than Shakedown Jackson could even imagine. He's attacked politicians who wouldn't support families with autistic kids, helped soldiers when they return from Iraq with his diatribes against VA administrators. And MSNBC caves because Imus hurts someone's feelings. What a bunch of short-sighted wimps.
Many public figures have made stupid, racial slurs, outrageous comments that have ended their broadcasting careers. Imus is a pioneer 'shock jock' so people shouldn't be so surprised that he said something so insensitive and hurtful. It isn't the first time and if he's allowed to stay on the air, it won't be the last time.
Let us keep in perspective the total impact of his 35 years on the air. He's raised hundreds of millions, done unselfish things for hundreds of sick children and in spite of being a self described 'jerk' he's done a lot of good. Does it give him the right to say hurtful things, absolutely not.
I find it very curious that no one as made a big deal out of Howard Stern's comments about Imus' unfortunate statements. Stern's comments were dismissive and equally hurtful.
I'm not Black or White,just can't figure out Black people. Why is the 'nigger word' so often used by black comedians if the black people hate to be called that. But laugh when the word is used by comedians. That is stupid.
I neglected to say - What Imus said was totally wrong. His two week suspension probably should have been followed with a sensitivity class - at the end of which he should be graded on. I'm in no way excusing what he said. I am merely pointing out the level of hypocrisy and racism and prejudice that exist with the so-called and self-proclaimed 'leaders' of the black community and culture.
We all need to look in the mirror before condemning another...
Patriotic American
Lance in DFW
Wonderful. Imus should have been taken off the mainstream airwaves long ago. And a lot of you are right; Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the NAACP have been acting like punks. They need to go after the rappers, the record companies, and advertising agencies. They need to go after them the same way they went after Michael Richards and Don Imus. I'm a Black-American woman and I'm tired of it. It pisses me off that Sharpton and Jackson will go after Imus and politicians to defend me, but will be relatively quiet when it comes to the music makers. And I'm not the only one who complains. A lot of Black people have been complaining about rap music since the eighties. People have gone before congress to try and curb 'gangsta' music, but the record companies and the constitution are very powerful and almost unbeatable. But it looks like it's a new day in Dodge and the rappers can't be protected for much longer. Yes, I think this is wonderful.
Why on earth would people boycott MSNBC? They made a decision based on the standards they want to uphold. They are choosing to drop Imus because of his statement and they choose not to air rap music, I'm sure, because of its content. For you guys to even make a statement like 'rappers or Blacks can say what they want and get away with it, therefore I'm not going to watch MSNBC anymore' makes no sense at all. What does that have to do with MSNBC's decision? Good gracious!!! Use common sense. Bottom line - no matter what you think, this is a business. And now that I think about it, their decision may not have anything to do with black or white. I'm sure a large part of their decision has to do with green since that have lost huge sponsorships.
Doesn't anyone get this here - it wasn't that he said the words 'nappy and ho' but that he pinpointed a group of young women who had nothing to do with politics or the entertainment world - in other words, innocent bystanders. If he had used the words in general, nothing would have been made of it - just as all the rappers spout off these words and much worse - end of story!!!!!!
Great news! His behavior was inexcusable, and
Imus and his sidekick producer didn't use the n-word, but they didn't have to. Nappy-head hos and jigaboos were close enough.
MSNBC did the right thing by terminating their contract with Imus. If CBS has any integrity, they will do the same thing.
Until the American black community learns that is has no copyright on vocabulary and attitudes, that the music, attitudes and entertainment product it sells are contagious, the black community will not have the moral authority to demand accountability of Don Imus. Other Americans learn negative vocabulary (such as 'nappy' and 'ho') from black Americans, every word of it, and are simply, and stupidly, imitating degrading behavior in an attempt to be hip.
from most of the comments so far , i think so called 'whites' should just take a moment and try to imagine what it feels like when one perceives injustice on a daily and recurrent basis. this is what black people endure on a daily basis in this country.
white people cannot even begin to imagine what it is to be black....you have no idea.yes, all these kind s of stuff will not be of any importance if the society will be truthful and ackinowledge that racism riles and that everyone should reall be treated equally. only after that is achieved should people begin to expect these kinds of things not to be taken seriously by the aggrieved race or group.
it may interest you all to learn that 80 % of the gangstar rap music is bought by white people.
stop buying if you all thrash talkers on this board are really to be taken seriously.
I too will NO longer watch MSNBC. The ONLY reason (and ONLY show I did like and watch on their pathetic excuse for a network anyway WAS IMUS)I wasted my time with them to begin with WAS 'Imus in the Morning'!
AND no longer will I or my family buy and continue to put money into the pockets of these spineless 'sponsors' who jumped ship due to pressure by a few
I many only be one person and therefore totally unimportant to them but I feel sure that I and the others of you here who are in total disbelief at this mess and the way IMUS has been treated by his so-called 'friends, fans and sponsors' CAN make a difference by boycotting and 'dropping' products manufactured and promoted by these companies/people!
Imus deserves better than this.
What about the rampant REVERSE DISCRIMINATION in this country? Whereby blacks, browns, EVERYONE but white Americans receive respect and 'dignity' and why are we white Americans the ONLY race who has NO voice when WE are assaulted by viscious names and remarks by anyone?
If these girls had all been white, would ANYONE have said anything if IMUS was black or Hispanic or green or pink for that matter? NO! There IS a huge double standard in this country now against WHITE Americans but the 'media' doesn't WANT to talk about that!
And they talk about 'healing' and 'alleviating hatred and resentment'? Give me a break! THEY are more than happy to perpetrate and proliferate it!
BUT I'm sure that there is MUCH more behind this than just the good 'reverands' Sharpton and Jackson and the like as well...everyone KNOWS how hard IMUS has slammed Bush and Cheney so I'm quite sure those two are jumping up and down in glee and don't believe for one moment that THEY haven't done everything possible to egg Sharpton & Co. on so THEY would be able to silence IMUS and his opinions and comments about THEM! WHICH by the way, a LOT of us out here happen to agree with as far as Bush & Cheney and the warmongering right wing nuts
Not to mention why FOX and CNN have been running sound bytes and harping NON-STOP on IMUS for DAYS now...why? why NOT? He has continually beaten out both their crappy morning shows in ratings so yeah, they certainly want him off the air and out of the competition as well!
Plus I agree that Sharpton and Jackson and others should go after the black, white, brown and every other color of singers, actors, and other 'artists' who CONTINUALLY call we white females whores or hoes and bitches. They call their own females the same, not only we white women and girls. And wrong is wrong period folks.
I do not believe that ANY woman or girl should be called those despicable names by ANYONE period, and yes, these remarks ARE horrible that Imus made and HE knows it. However, unlike those hip-hop 'artists' and others in the 'entertainment' business regardless of what color they are, I also do NOT think that his remarks were pre-meditated or from a viscious heart. It's live radio and it was a dumb, stupid, senseless remark and he's apologized AND wanted to meet with the young ladies he offended. He went on the good reverand Al's show and allowed himself to be grilled and abused himself for 2 hours or so and he was willing to serve his suspension with dignity and not whine. He ADMITTED he was stupid but the man doesn't deserve to lose his career over this and he doesn't deserve to be deserted by the very people he has supported and helped over the years.
Oh how quickly they jump overboard when things get bad huh? I will NOT buy ANY product from here on out from ANY of these spineless sponsors, nor will I even CONSIDER voting for one of these equally two-faced spineless politicians who were more than willing to go on his show when it benefitted THEM and he helped THEIR careers when they had a campaign coming up or ongoing OR they had a book to hawk (and this goes for actors, singers with books or CD's to peddle, comedians, authors and everyone else as well as the lame lying two faced politicos). You sure find out who your real friends and fans are when you need them that's for sure! He was sure good enough to help all of them push their books or records over the years or get votes though wasn't he? Whether they were black, white, brown, or polka-dot!
And he certainly helped everyone of those 'sponsors' along the way for many years but when he needed THEM to show some spine and guts and stand by HIM, they jumped off faster than a speeding bullet!
GREAT job there people! You should all be very proud!
This man and his wife have done more for kids of EVERY race including black kids than any of these jokers in politics, show-biz, or corporations ever have or ever will AND they have not scammed off 98% of the 'proceeds' for their 'overhead or admin' costs either like most! They gave back 100% and then kicked in from their OWN pockets!
They love and treat ALL kids at their cancer ranch just the same no matter what their race, religion or socio-economic strata in life. Just as ALL of us should!
They have selflessly and tirelessly given of their loving hearts, their time and money to these cancer kids as well as working for autism, SIDS, sickle cell and countless other disorders and diseases.
AND Don Imus works tirelessly to improve the lives and living conditions of our veterans and active military personnel.
This man IS a good man and he IS sorry for hurting those young ladies. But this blitz by Al Sharpton and others and the media to ruin his career and life is way beyond mean!
Perhaps the good reverand Al is looking to be Don's replacement show now that he's gotten rid of him on MSNBC? NO! Couldn't be that he too has a hidden agenda in all this mess now could it?
Well, here's one that won't be watching ANYTHING now on MSNBC period, nor will I be buying or using any products from these gutless spineless 'sponsors'.
Why don't they just execute the man at sunrise for God's sake? They're making this like the crime of the century!
Considering what Bill O'Reilly and others spew every day and others, not to mention what OJ got away with, and what Bush and Cheney get away with every single day, what Don Imus did was nothing. Certainly not enough to get the man's career ruined.
Next time my daughter or I or any other white (or black) female is called horrible names by rappers and 'artists' I hope the NAACP and NOW and all these people showing their fake outrage will come to OUR rescue! YEAH RIGHT! SURE they will!
To quote what my mother told me when I was a child, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me'. This uproar over what Imus said is being blown completely out of proportion, you will hear worse language about race and gender on any one of the latest Rap/Hip-Hop CDs, just listen to Akon. What makes Imus' remarks so terrible and the lyrics of Snoop Dog so acceptable?'
To: Venturabats
If you really want to try & understand why Don Imus' remarks were found to be so offensive to many,then read on:
Re: Don Imus
The real underlying issue is the fact that in the year 2007 we are
still living in an America that is inherently racist, bigoted, and prejudiced
against women of color and in particular African American women.
The truth of the matter is: Don Imus would have never, ever made such
disparaging remarks toward or about Caucasian women, whether or not
they were basketball players. One can rest assured that Don Imus doesn’t
hold the same beliefs about Caucasian women. One can also rest assured that
Don Imus would have never made such remarks about women like the late
Anna Nicole Smith, Paris Hilton, Nicole Kidman, etc.
In reference to white women, one can also assume that Don Imus would
'never' refer to the numerous Caucasian women in the infamous 'Girls Gone Wild' videos as a bunch of ' white hoes'.
So, being a radio “shock jock” isn’t the issue and neither is
women’s basketball the real issue. The Rutgers University women’s basketball
team was simply the benefactor of Don Imus’ bigotry toward women of color
and African American women in particular.
This is because American society as a whole still believes in the
absolute purity of the white woman, and all other women, especially women of
color and African American women in particular are viewed as and believed to
be less than pure, less than moral, less than innoncent, less than worthy,
less than dignified, and less than respectable as women.
A majority of people in American society believe, at either a conscious
or deeply subconscious level, in the condemnation, degradation,
denigration, and vilification of women of color and African American women in
particular.
Historically, since the time of slavery in America, women of color
and African American women in particular have been degraded, dehumanized
and vilified in words and images.
As a result, the continual perpetuation of the myth that African
American women as a whole, can be viewed and treated as a bunch of “nappy
headed hoes”, and loose, immoral, unintelligent, whores, who are “bitchy
and bossy is further exemplified by the widespread portrayal of scantily clad, sexualized women of color in rap and hip-hop music videos, etc. The
use of foul and disgusting language and remarks toward women of color by the
so-called artists in music videos is evidence of this myth.
This is further demonstrated by the fact that American radio,
television, movies, and the media in general condones and even encourages the
denigration of women of color. Record executives and recording
companies sign these “so-called music artists” to major music labels and pay
the artists millions of dollars to entice them and encourage the use of
foul and disgusting lyrics in their music, with the misguided notion that the
denigration of women of color is acceptable to all, and therefore,
guarantees fame and fortune.
The actions of those in the recording industry are reprehensible in
this regard. In addition, the actions of those in radio, television, and
media in general help to solidify and perpetuate these beliefs into the wider
society. Further denigrating all women of color and giving rise to the
widespread belief that African American women in particular are merely
loose, immoral, unintelligent, bitches and whores who deserve to be
referred to as such and subsequently treated as such.
Take the case of the so-called celebrity Paris Hilton who makes equally
disparaging remarks about people of color and believes it is acceptable
to do so with impunity.
Therefore, it is no wonder and no surprise when someone like Don Imus
goes on the public airways and makes equally disgusting remarks about women
of color, and the Rutgers Women’s basketball team in particular, and by
his actions, he continues to perpetuate the misguided belief that women of
color can be viewed as a bunch of “nappy headed hoes”, irrespective of
their accomplishments in society.
American society in general and Caucasians in particular widely
believe, either consciously or subconsciously, the notion, that all women of
color and African American women in particular are loose, immoral,
unintelligent, overly sexualized whores, who are both bitchy and bossy,
and therefore can be labeled as such, classified as such, referred to as such, and ultimately treated as such.
What this latest incident demonstrates, is, there has been a resurgence
of the vilification of women of color, and that American society as a
whole has become even more desensitized to and disrespectful of women of color, much in the same manner as it did during the time of slavery and
reconstruction.
As a result, persons like Don Imus really and truly believe they can say anything and everything about women of color and African American women in
particular, with impunity, simply because they believe, they are taking
so-called acceptable “cues” from the rap/hip hop industry and the
media at large. While in reality they are taking cues from a number of
“misguided” young adults who merely happen to operate in the rap & hip hop
industry.
These so-called artists, their lyrics and misguided beliefs do not
represent many in the black communit and, certainly are not indicative
of the black community as a whole.
Yet, it is precisely this misguided notion that the foul language and
lyrics of rap music is indicative of the standards by which all African
Americans live and by which we regard the women in our communities. Nothing
could be further from the truth. However, this is precisely why Don Imus
believed he could refer to the Rutgers University Women’s Basketball team in the manner in which he did.
In the final analysis, women of color and African American women in
particular are worthy of dignity and respect. African American women
are worthy of the same level of dignity and respect as that afforded women
in the larger society. Our grandmothers and mothers were and are
hard-working respectable women.
We are indeed hard working and respectable women who excel
as professionals, businesswomen, scholars, scientists, academicians,
athletes, students, laborers and homemakers.
More importantly, we are first and foremost, grandmothers, mothers,
aunts, daughters and sisters in our communities. We are not just a bunch of
“nappy headed hoes”. It is time that all Americans end the practice of
degrading and denigrating women of color in the use of language, lyrics and
imagery.
The vilification of African American women in particular is neither
warranted nor deserved, from either the black community or society as a
whole.
If Imus picked on someone his own size and color then he would not be in this much trouble.
Guys, keep in mind that you cannot categorize a whole group of people, black, white, or anything else, as a monolithic single entity of thought. We are all products of our environments and have extremely diverse views. Most people, black, white and other, are offended by bad manners, dumb comments, cursing, the N-word, and reckless hip hop lyrics. It reflects their level of sophistication and intelligence versus ignorance or their specific race or gender. So, to suggest in arguments 'I don't know why white people do this' or 'I don't know why black people do that' is inherently short sighted. If you're writing that it means you're already off track in getting to an understanding. One day we'll all get over this stupidity when we get to know each other for real and then stop teaching hate; we are doing that, but it will take a while.
For some reason only whites can be racial. Al Sharpton and Jackson play the race card for all it is worth. When is the media going to look the other way and grow up. I am not racial and I do not listen to Imus. I know the BS he pumps out every day. If enough people had stopped listening in the past Imus would have been history. CBS talks out of both sides of the mouth at the same time. Let Imus have his show and let the public determine his fate not the news industry or Sharpton.
My god. Can't we all get a loan? At LoanMax title pawn. That's what I'm talkin about baby.
Shame on you MSNBC, to cave in to the rantings and ravings of individuals who, in my humble opinion, spew their own brand and form of racism on a daily basis, and nothing, zero, zip, nada, is ever done about it. The young ladies of the Rutgers basketball team were those injured by Imus' remarks, yet certain bastions of the people among us feel it necessary to take up the banner to champion these young women. From what I have observed, these young ladies are totally capable of handling their own affairs. They have responded to Imus' in a adult, highly articulate and sophisticated manner, which is totally to their credit, and reflects their maturity and sincerity during a very trying time for all of them. To have certain individuals chime in with their own hidden agenda's does the the plight of these young ladies a gross injustice, as their handling of this issue will be overshadowed by the 'I'm going to lead the charge' attitude of those among us that coveniently forget what they themselves have done in the past.
I for one, will not watch your network again, and will urge my colleagues and friends to follow in suit.
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