Imus Off the Air?
It seems almost inevitable, doesn't it? Radio shock jock Don Imus kicked up a firestorm on his April 4 show with racist and sexist (and, if I may say, outright dumb) remarks made toward players on the Rutgers University women's basketball team. While Imus is no stranger to controversy, this latest move has already cost him the support of several sponsors, earned a two-week suspension from his show and now many are calling for him to be fired. The incident and the resulting debate has also sparked outrage and questions all over our message boards. Even Al Roker is speaking out. Pretty much everyone has something to say about Imus' comments, but some are questioning the subsequent apologies, society's double standards and where this all fits in with free speech concerns. From the Morality Debate board:
"I find what he said reprehensible and completely ignorant. I wouldn't support him by listening to his program (long before the recent slur) nor a station that broadcast him.But I will support his right to say it, in whatever forum he chooses.
I do not believe he should be fired for what he chose to say."
"I also refuse to support his program or any station that would broadcast him. But I couldn't stand him to begin with. ;-)"
What do you think? Should Don Imus be fired? Or will he just pull an Isaiah Washington and have a summit with community leaders to emerge a changed man? Are we creating a double standard in society by accepting the use of slurs by some and not others? Let's hear your take on this issue and what you think about the resulting "free speech" debate.
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I don't think he needs to be fired. Imus has been much more annoying than this in the past. He's always been a "shock jock" - that's what you get when you listen to him and people know this.
It's a slippery slope to start censoring people.. who will be next? Just because we don't like what they have to say shouldn't mean they have no right to say it.
I really liked Al Roker's comments on the AllDay Blog today - "Not in my house" http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/11/132794.aspx
I applaud him for standing up and saying what we all should be saying. Freedom to say what you like does not mean that we as a nation are required to give you a forum to broadcast your speech around the world. Feel free to say it, we should be free to ignore it as a biased rant, rather than be force-fed it over the airwaves.
I've never really cared for him, so...
I can't believe no one is also upset that he called the Tennessee team "cute girls" - but I guess we're supposed to see that as a compliment.
At first I thought Imus should be put on a long-term suspension... and then I heard his full remarks. I believe Imus said what he said out of the ignorance and hatred that feeds such deep-rooted racism, the kind that's passed down from generation and is so much a part of a person that he/she doesn't think it's offensive, which is, in some ways, far worse than saying these things on purpose. I fully believe in the right to free speech, but I don't believe that a person should be able to say such hurtful and offensive things and walk away unscathed.
I don't like what he said, he went too far and it was unnecessary but he was baited by his producer apparently and he's paid to shock people. It's been his 'schtick' for years now. Being paid to shock doesn't mean he has to be so blatantly rude but maybe he'll learn.
I won't boycott a station or even him. He made a mistake and free speech allows for mistakes no matter how crass. Big mistake, yes but where do we draw the line. We as a country want our free speech but only when it suits us.
If you don't like shock comments or are easily offended, no one is forcing anyone to listen to anything. He isn't giving himself the forum, those who pay him are. But boycotts are temporary and we are fickle people, when something more scandalous comes along he will be forgotten, still paid and still speaking out somewhere.
Cute? Maybe I am missing something but how is that bad? We aren't going to be able to say anything eventually if we look to find things wrong. I could say I think your name is cute but now I am afraid. ;)
Horrible comments, indeed! But let's let him keep his job until all of the rappers lose their contracts and product endorsements for using the same terms. Oh and let's not forget the two main guys leading the call for the end of his career, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. The racist remarks they've made in the past didn't seem to hurt their careers.
Well said, KLyn! We all say society is pulling us down, but we need to stop supporting things that are just plain detestable. If they fire him, they have to get rid of many rappers and other singers for the way they treat women. The answer is for women and men to stop buying the trash that trashes women--TV, CDs, magazines, etc.
I think Imus needs to talk to the girls he offended, then tell the public how he plans to change. I think some good discussions could come out of this that might open all our eyes. WORDS DO HURT and it doesn't matter what race you are. Our society has become so disrepresectful and it is flashed on ALL the mediaOn the movies, on TV shows, etc. It's time to get some changes taking place. USA has become an open sewer!!!!
We're all entitled to free speech, but no one can expect to be protected from social consequences that stem from offensive statements. Whether or not he keeps his job is up to the people. He just can't be sued or put into prison for what he said. Not everyone in this world has that right.
I was pretty much handling this âImusâ thing rather well for a bit. All I asked is that somebody tell me, once and for all, why itâs OK for Jesse Jackson to call NYC âHimie-Townâ, disparaging all Jews, not just in NYC but in the world, and he walks away, nothing happens, the manâs set free. But, suddenly, he uses his illegitimate title of âReverendâ and heâs now taking a manâs living away and feels justified? Not to mention, the (pardon the pun) âReverendâ Al Sharpton does exactly the same thing and wellâ¦
Now after reading Al Rokerâs comments at http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/10/116906.aspx I have a better understanding of the situation. Jackson, Sharpton and now, sadly, Roker are representatives of âtheirâ people; not âpeopleâ in general, but âtheirâ people and this is exactly what the rest of the world expects of âtheirâ people. So this is how it goes.
I believe Don Imus has his right to free speech and I think MSNBC has it's right to pull him if they see fit.
Firing Don Imus is utterly ridiculous. This is a man who had a moment in which he slipped up. We all do it, yet we are lucky that our comments are not heard on the air. He has apologized numerous times, and I strongly believe that his apologies are sincere. Why should America allow Reverand Sharpton and Jesse Jackson to decide this man's fate? Why do we overlook the dozens of comments that people like Rosie O'Donnell make about our president, yet we hold this single comment by Don Imus against him?
I think his response to his mistake shows a lot about him. He does not hide behind the fact that this country was built on the principle of freedom of speech, and he has recognized his wrong-doing and apologized for it.
I do not believe he should be fired. But, since he has been, I think the likes of Rosie O'Donnell and Howard Stern should be too.
Yet, this is the question that is on my mind. Had Don Imus had said the same thing about white women, would the African Americans made such a big deal about it?
Just wait. Imus will be picked up by Satellite radio, which have no sponsors/advertisers. He is now "GOLD". Even people who didn't listen to him, because of the publicity over this controversy, will be curious and tune-in once he is back on air.
Agreed that what Imus said was classless, racist and WRONG! I think a suspension would have sufficed. By NBC caving in, they have just enlarged Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton's heads 10-fold.
America I believe is going to kill itself over political correctness. My husband was no fan of Imus, nor of Howard Stern or a ton of other "shock news commentators" but he too is disgusted how the media has bowed to political and activist pressure. He said he went to war to defend our rights to free speech and historically, he just watched this go down the tubes yesterday.
I'm sick of hearing playbacks of the Don Imus show. I was also sick of seeing Mel Gibson and Michael Richards on the news every night. Yes, they all apologized......repeatedly but the fact remains that if you spew that mess it reflects your true feelings. The reason you are apologizing is to settle the dust, no two ways about it.
My2Girls - I think the problem with calling them "cute girls" is that in both cases, these are WOMEN who have worked VERY hard and gotten into a national championship ballgame. Their efforts are being minimized and they are being reduced to parts rather than seen as accomplishing anything.
Why is it OK for Chris Rock to say live on Larry King that the "N" word is being done away with and that he should buy stock in "COON" or "JIGGABOO". I do not se this as any different than what Don Amus remarks are.
Don't fire him, let the racist stay on the air. We need to keep track of them. I don't and will never watch his show. The guy is a jerk. But come on we all are a little racist. I am a black american and I hate black people who don't work and steal from those who do.
I believe that what he said is horrible and he should be ashamed but his punishment is nothing.....Now that doesn't surprise me much...Those girls were feeling good because they did so well in their season and he stole that from them because he is a sexist,racist pig!!!! Firing him will do nothing but for one I pray that his ratings drop...Hell I never watched his show in the first place and I will never watch his show in the future.
Mr. Seymour Amous comments are very different from Chris Rocks comments.. Amous comments hurt these females....Chris Rock as well as other comedians are just making fun of these words.....I can't really explain how it is a difference but it is a difference.
I do not agree with all that Imus says, just as I do not agree with Chris Rock and all the hip hop crew that I have heard. Freedom of speech. If you do not like it, then turn it off. At least it is interesting, and maybe this will keep the races talking.
I have to say that Tom S. in the blog is right....Im 36 and a parent of 3 teens. In my day and before and in the future commets will be made; thru music eg. 2 live crew. Stand up; Rock ect... Oh we cant forget Old school country singers. As Larry states I could do this all day. I have no beef with anyone and have taught my children to love all. Black, White are u.s of a will always have someone speakng out of line. Whats new...The day this all change is the day pigs fly.....100 yrs from know It will always be about the blacks vs the whites!! Get over it we are in 2007...........Sorry Im just pissed. Why can't we just all get along.
We can't fire people for their opinions...that's why we live in America. Land of the free. I don't agree with what Mr. Imus said, but how many rap songs do you hear that call women worse things than a ho? Or have the "N" word in it? Expressing your opinions is one thing. Doing it on national television was a stupid move. I agree with the producers...they don't want to be assoiciated with what he says.there is no law in this country that stops people from being racist. There should be...but there's not. So by firing him, and by letting the situation escalade, what do we expect? You tell people to use their freedom of speech and press and all of our other constituational rights...but then you're the first people to berate someone for it. Don Imus isn't racist...he's just an idiot. It's not ok for ANYONE to us the "N" word, so maybe not just white people should be getting all the heat for it,but the black people too. By using those terms in your songs, you are only saying it's ok for someone else to use them too.
Many don't even know the definition of "double standard", including the news media who sling it around like spit. If you allow your kid to listen to rap and if I don't, it is not a double standard. However, if I allow my son to listen and prohibit my daughter, I have employed a double standard. In using this term, someone or say corporation must be orchestrating the standard. Thank you.
To be honest,I did not even know Imus,but did view his lovely wife on the Today Show.I do think he should have been fired,but consider this:Jesse Jackson fathered a baby,while married and a minister to boot,his said he was sorry and that was it,other that he still shows up to judge others.Bill Clinton,a good president,he lied about cheating,then he was sorry,but nothing really happened in the long run. The list goes on and on.The women do this also,people on the who's who list. This is all wrong,double standards!Oh yeah,don't forget about Miss America,but she knew The Donald... You get the point...Oh,Al Roker is mt favorite on the Today Show. Thanks
You know, what Imus said was wrong... but he is just another person trying to be cool and sound like he is 'hip' with younger generation. i would bet money he didnt mean anything negative by it because after all, he hears plenty of that language on the radio and nobody bats an eye. it doesnt make it right but it doesnt make it right for anyone. if i can call myself a dumbass or a yankee wop, or a bitch... how does the next person know they cant? true that things need to change, and maybe this is the catalyst for that change, but i am sick and tired of hearing the racecard pulled.. grow up people, its 2007, not 1967... we are all equal, we all should respect each other and we should only say things about ourselves that we are ok with others saying. if you dont want to be called a nappy haired ho by someone, then say itg... stand up for youself but dont be ridiculous