Searching for the right word to most effectively characterize this whole Don Imus/Rutgers University women’s basketball story, I almost settled for the easy choice.
Sad.
Upon further review, I realized that sad was probably too strong, probably too romantic in this instance.
(If you aren’t privy to the Imus/Rutgers story, here’s the brief version: Last Wednesday, radio shock-jock Don Imus described the Rutgers hoop team as “nappy-headed hos” on his syndicated morning show, seconds after producer Bernard McGuirk said the women were “some hardcore hos.” This happened the day after Rutgers lost to Tennessee in the NCAA national championship game. Imus, McGuirk and shock-jock buddy Sid Rosenberg [co-hosting via telephone] went on to compare the game to the “Good or Bad Hair” scene from Spike Lee’s School Daze, pitting the “cute” Tennessee players against the “Toronto Raptors”-looking Rutgers players.)
Sad may be too strong a word because, at the end of the day, when all the initial fury dies down, this won’t do much to alter the paths of the principals involved.
Kia Vaughn, Essence Carson and the rest of the Scarlet Knights squad will still finish their college careers, earn their degrees, and maybe go on to play ball in the WNBA and/or overseas. Or, like the commercial says, go pro in something other than sports.
Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer will still win tons of basketball games, be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and continue to send upstanding young women into the world after having played in her program.
And Don Imus, his public face already full of black eyes, will still inevitably land in the no-holds-barred arena of satellite radio before he’s done.
That’s because, while 21st century America has become over-the-top in its desire for its citizens to be politically correct, it has also become exceedingly forgiving. We’re no long in an era where Jimmy the Greek and Al Campanis can force exile on themselves in the course of one interview. While no one can deny that what was said in the WFAN studio was, as my grandpa used to say, “as wrong as two left feet,” it won’t signal the end of days for Imus, Rosenberg or McGuirk in national radio.
Sad may be too strong a word because this story doesn’t have a Medgar Evers/Martin Luther King Jr. ending. Families and communities will not be ripped apart because of this. Blood will not be shed. (Although one particularly militant brotha I know wished out loud for “the good ol’ days” when someone like Imus “got death threats.”) This is a matter of sticks-and-stones versus words.
And so the best word I could come up with to characterize this story is unfortunate.
It’s unfortunate that Imus’ comments brought more attention to the Rutgers team than their senior-less run to the NCAA title game; more attention than the performances of Vaughn (12.8 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.5 bpg), Carson (12.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Epiphanny Prince (12.2 ppg, 2.4 spg) and Matee Ajavon (12 ppg, 3.8 apg); more attention than their 27-9 record in one of the toughest conferences in women’s basketball; more attention than some of the incredible basketball they played on their way to their runner-up finish ever did. Or ever will.
It’s unfortunate that Imus brought more attention to women’s basketball in general than the just-completed NCAA tournament (of which every game was nationally televised) ever did. Or ever will.
It’s unfortunate that McGuirk and Rosenberg aren’t getting as much heat as Imus. If this were the ‘04 Pistons/Pacers brawl, those two would be Teflon Ben Wallace.
It’s unfortunate that the only reason Imus and his crew haven’t been fired is because money makes the world go ’round, and Imus brings in a lot of money for his employers.
It’s unfortunate that since everyone knows this, the only way Imus ever would get fired is if advertisers start taking a stand. (A process that has already begun, reportedly.)
It’s unfortunate that the only reason Imus was even disciplined at all (he earned a two-week suspension) is because groups like the National Association of Black Journalists and public figures like Al Sharpton stepped up and put him on blast. Had Imus’ comments stayed in the relative vacuum of his and his audience’s world, nothing would have happened.
It’s unfortunate that even as perfect GPA-toting kids of all races wear braids and billionaire heiresses have tattoos — and even in the decade since Allen Iverson made both a staple on basketball courts nationwide — that some people still look at braids and tats so negatively.
It’s unfortunate that female athletes are still judged more on their looks than their game.
It’s unfortunate that it is expected — even demanded — for the Mike Wilbons, Steven A. Smiths, Jason Whitlocks and Jemelle Hills of the world to editorialize with great fervor on this topic, while just a mere mention of the story from lighter-shaded media is seen as a victory.
It’s unfortunate that I can randomly pick out any member of the Rutgers team and be 100 percent positive that “nappy-headed ho” isn’t the worst thing someone’s ever said to her or about her.
It’s unfortunate that rappers and other entertainers — who have the ears of America’s youth more than Don Imus could ever dream to — can call Black women much worse than “nappy-headed hos” and no one does anything about it.
It’s unfortunate that my iPod is full of that type of music.
It’s unfortunate that, as Kia Vaughn brought to light in the team’s press conference, the “ho” part isn’t getting nearly as much flak as the “nappy-headed” part.
It’s unfortunate that Don Imus, Bernard McGuirk, Sid Rosenberg, thousands of people in their audience, and millions of people across the country still don’t understand the problem here.
Actually, that’s more sad than anything.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Nico says:
The truth is said here. Great article. Those guys and those who think like them have kid’s mentality… Hopeless.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
yeah whatever pedro says:
Amazing article A-train. This pretty much sums it up
April 12th, 2007 at 2:07 am
Jennifer says:
poignant as hell, well put.
unfortunate also that little to no attention has been paid to the incredibly classy manner with which the Rutgers team has handled the situation.
April 12th, 2007 at 3:04 am
kowtz says:
Uhm…
IMHO… I think this was misunderstood in many ways…
- Being called a “ho” should be the reason why it was such a unfortunate situation… I agree…
- I can’t see why this became an issue of racism… I mean 70% of the players in Tenesee are, african-american…
- I am definitely not an Imus fan, yet I still fail to see the problem… except for the part being called “ho’s”…
peace… ;D
April 12th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Charisse says:
Excellent take on the situation. You are 100% correct. Not knowing much about the situation to begin with, I now feel that I understand the problem completely. Thank you Austin!
April 12th, 2007 at 9:50 am
The Truth says:
Kowtz, the fact that you “still fail to see the problem” is THE problem… and sad.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Ryan says:
Not being of African-American descent, I’m not going to pretend to know what it would feel like to be referred to in that matter & I agree that unfortunately this probably isn’t the first or last time, or even the worst thing these young women have been called. What I feel is also unfortunate is that this shows how far we really haven’t grown as a society. Yes, this story gets national news, as well it should, but this type of story shouldn’t get this much press because it shouldn’t happen. I think it’s great that the majority of people appear to be apalled by these comments. I also feel that it’s sad things like this still happen and have to happen before we realize that as much as some things change some things still stay the same.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:55 am
Cody says:
We all say things we regret. We all say things that are offensive. We all think we’re target’s and we all think we have it bad. It’s difficult to be classified as 100% NOT-A-RACIST/SEXIST. Dave Chapelle might be a bad example, cause us white kids love him, but I’m only as racist/sexist as I am in my jokes/light-hearted comments. Is that the problem or the solution? Comedians and others make fun of just about every kind of person alive (aka able to be offended). Some seem to think that it is trough these broad jokes that we can commonly laugh at something. Some see that as the problem.
I’m glad Imus is fired because his voice reaches so many people. Many of these people are as white as I am, but not only did he give his “opinionated” listeners something to hang on, but he directed them at a group of living/breathing individuals. The fact that he questioned the character of these women is why he was so easily fired.
But as a balding white 22 year old, I whince and force myself to smile every time Carlos Mencia or some other person takes an easy stab at the characteristics I most easily am associated with. I’m also of German descent
So, would civil rights activists stand up for me if (assuming Imus isn’t German) called me a “Stringy-haired Nazi?”
I think the problem is in our ammendments. We have the First Ammendment. It allows us to say/print whatever we, as individuals, want to say concerning absolutelty anything. Because of the first we have the New York Times and we have High Times. Because of the first we have Ann Coulter and we have pornography. Because of the first I can type whatever I want into this little white box and not be persecuted. Imus exercised our most important of ammendments in much the same way DJ Paul does.
Why was Imus really fired, was it really because of what he said or was it because of who he talks to. I don’t hate anybody based on their race/sex so I’ve made excuses in the past claiming I can make racist/sexist jokes because deep down, we’re all just the butt of someones poor joke. But how many ears does my voice reach? Do I have to explain myself to my closest friends why? I’m sure you don’t. Imus talks to plenty of people each day, but thousands of strangers hear his words. That’s why he got fired, he was causing controversy on the job, and everyone heard him.
It seems to me that if a gay, black, latino, etc. comedian makes a joke that would have a white guy castrated, everyone loves it, whites included. So where do we draw the line? I can’t say the N-word, but it seems that many hip-hop singers throw it all over the place (talk is cheap …). Paul Mooney refuses to say it and I applaud him. Our whole system is screwed and when Al Sharpton goes around whipping people into a frenzy, I don’t see that as the right thing to do. Yeah, get him fired! Burn the Witch! I really don’t know if ol’ Don is a bigot, but I see his slip of the tongue as common as any of us making a joke in that kind of manner. But he was irresponsible in that he did it talking directly to the American Public. And it was a joke, right Don?
So: here’s the conclusion of my first Dime blog…
1)Racist/Sexist Jokes: Tolerable or Untolerable?
We have so many lines that can be crossed concerning intensity. Should it matter what color or sex or class or sexual orientation you are when you make a joke? Or does it have more to do with WHO you are talking to and WHAT you’re doing when you say it. Carlos Mencia is gonna put his grandkids through college with his racist jokes. But that’s his job, he signed an effin’ contract and Sprite will endorse him, isn’t this just like Imus’s job (well-being) too?
It’s all or nothing people! We can’t have this “well this joke is ok, but this one isn’t” mentality. Imus should be fired because he attacked the integrity of a group of women athletes (who did play some fine ball). But Nappy Headed Ho comments are dropped all the time, it’s special in this case case Don attatched the label to a group of people.
How do we change this?
I had fun typing this…
April 12th, 2007 at 11:00 am
JayTeeCash says:
The problem is that anyone sees this as a problem to begin with. You people are all way too sensitive. These educated girls should be smart enough to ignore this, or maybe even laugh at it. None of these girls knew who Imus was before they were TOLD about this. They had to make a huge deal about it and act so “hurt” so they could get all this media attention, because you know they aren’t going to get it for playing ball, which which is probably a bigger problem. As the old saying goes if you don’t like it then don’t listen. Stop worrying about what some old man’s opinion is in a joking context. Start worrying about the high minority crime rates (they tend to have those same braids and tattoos). Worry about terrorism. You sound like radical Islam which calls for the head of anyone who says anything negative. I am not a racist, I am actually biracial, but it’s sad that we have to waste our times with this. He should have the right to say this if he wants to. Period.
April 12th, 2007 at 1:16 pm
yeah whatever pedro says:
JayTee - you are officially the moron of the year
April 12th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Doc says:
who is this jaytee dick. would your mom ignore somebody calling her a hoe ,bitch, cocksucker somthing like that. I doubt it and if she did it would be she wants her son to step up for her like famous people stepped up for these girls. Don whatever is lucky that the team pops and brothers dont come to the meeting. And you just as stupid as don talking about high minority crime rates tend to have braids and tats. k fed white as they come and he got braids and tats. im as thug as they come and i got waves and no tats prick.
April 12th, 2007 at 2:11 pm
GoldenBear says:
jayteecash,kowtz. you guys say some fucking repugnant shit. ignorant motherfuckers…
April 12th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
dank says:
I agree with the posts above me. 1st of, JayTee, you’re a deuschebag, and 2nd, you’re a moron for completely missing the point. did you take time and actually read the essay? i didn’t think so. for more imus ignorant racist/sexist/discriminatory remarks, please go to: http://www.slate.com/id/2163872/
April 12th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
JD says:
I appreciated the article. Here’s a suggestion…let’s all take a personal stand. Let’s take this music off of our i-pods. Ladies, stop dancing to it. Let us make the change in our own spheres. Imus is, and probably will remain, ignorant. Let us make changes.
April 12th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Linzy says:
Speak the truth my Son, tell it like is, call it like you see it. It’s time for everyone to WAKE UP !!!!!!!!
I was very moved by your article, you should speak more often on subjects such as these. Thanx for the breath of fresh air that shows a young person from your generation can see what’s really going on. Luv DAD. C-ya.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
JayTeeCash says:
Yes, I commented without reading. I didn’t even know what this was about. I just read everyone else’s comments and figured I’d just say stuff too. Please explain the point to me, I must have totally missed it, seeing as I didn’t even read it. All that article prooved to me is that Imus says racial jokes and makes money doing it. I’m fine with addmiting that he is an old racist bastard. THAT is not the point. He should be able to say, do, think, feel, and express whatever he wants in this country, as long as he does not infringe on the rights or well being of others. He doesn’t. He has a radio show. Don’t listen to it. He won’t get any ratings, sponsers will back out, and he will lose his job. Obvously there is an audience for his material if that hadn’t happened,though he’s been saying these things for many years. I personally dispise racists, I loath white supremists,radical black groups, and anyone else in between who dislikes others for no good reason, but how can you say that they are not allowed to express themselves in a nonviolent avoidable way? I personally would never have said what he did. You all aimed things at me on a public forum that were much worse than Imus’ comments, but i don’t want you to lose your jobs. I don’t want your comments to be removed from this post. He was removed from his show, and CBS has the right to do that as well, but this is a huge over reaction. He’s not preaching violence, he’s telling tasteless jokes. Stop being so sensitive, especially because if this were about whites, gays, fat people, or most of any other nameless groups then this wouldn’t be a big deal. Black people don’t suffer any more than anyone else, and the slavery card is way played out. Maybe these girls should just continue to prove him wrong.
Doc- stereotypes exist for a reason. They are formed when a majority of any certain group acts a certain way. As sad as some of them may be, and as taboo as it is to admit it, it’s the truth. Sure, there may be exceptions to the rule, but there are exceptions to every rule. The MAJORITY keep on reapeating the cycle. I can tell by your comments that you are not doing a very good job of proving them wrong.
April 12th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
Doc says:
I didn’t prove nothing wrong I got what I wanted. A explanation for that dumb ass ish you said earlier brother.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:24 am
JD says:
JayTee…I was with you until that last paragraph. Stereotypes are misconceptions, not majority behavior. I am with you about letting people be who they are, but it doesn’t negate ignorance. I am a 6′1″ 161 lb. male, who is 23; there are many stereotypes that fit my type, but don’t fit me(and many others that I know of the same build). Stereotypes are dangerous as long as they exist. The biggest danger is to become so desensitized that they become ok.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Joeman says:
Austin, great article on the subject. You got skills man! I had to respond to Jaytee’s comments though:
1.I believe that anyone in the public eye has a responsibilty to carry themselves in a positive manner wheter on radio, television, or internet. Yes they have the 1st ammendment and I firmly believe in it, but when giving your opinions/views/comments, degrading a particular group is unacceptable. This is how “Stereotypes” stay alive through these outlets. I am not saying just white folks, but blacks/latinos as well. I am black and am tired of being considered a thug if I put on a jersey and baseball cap.
2. I guess you have not done any research on the black side of your family to see how badly blacks were treated and still are in some parts of the country today. You would truly understand why some of us are so “sensitive”. Other groups are just as outspoken about “words”, just look at what happened to Tim Hardaway and Isaiah Washington with their comments about gays.
Just keep living, and you will feel the sting of prejudice against you sooner or later. Unless you keep the non-white side of yourself on the down low.
Peace!
Go Bulls!
April 13th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
SamJersey says:
Look at what the vanguards of “tasteful discourse” say to those who disagree:
“jayteecash,kowtz. you guys say some fucking repugnant shit. ignorant motherfuckers…”
“JayTee - you are officially the moron of the year”
Let’s be honest people: “Nappy-headed ho’s” is not THAT offensive. If this is the worst thing these girls have ever heard, then they live in a much different world than I do. I’ve been called a kike (and I’m only half Jewish, never had a bar-mitzvah, and DONT believe in the Bible!); I’ve had people roll pennies down the street and laugh at me; I’ve had black people call me a cracker, honkey, bitch-ass white boy; I remember a black friend of mine saying, “I HATE white people! Except you, Sam, you’re cool.” These things were said and done by people I consider “friends” - or at least acquaintances.
What did I do in return? Call the Italians, slicked-haired guineas. Call the hispanics, dirty Mexican migrant landscapers. Call the blacks, fatherless ghetto trash.
What was the result?
We laughed.
Does that mean anyone should be allowed to say anything to anyone anytime?
Of course not. We didn’t BECOME friends because we made racist jokes about each other. We were able to make racist jokes about each other BEACUSE we were friends.
As many other posters here have pointed out, comedians make a living off offending people. When you know it’s meant as a joke, you don’t get offended; you laugh. The one guy who gets offended at a comedy show looks like a fuckin douschbag; a guy with a stick up his ass who can’t take a joke.
Intentions sometimes make a big difference. Imus didn’t say that out of spite or malice. He thought is was funny. You have every right to think otherwise; but that doesn’t mean you have the right to get him fired for saying something you think is offensive.
As soon as we begin to stifle speech - even ignorant and offensive speech - we begin to scare people into reticience. Sometimes the truth is offensive: the theory of evolution is offensive to Bible literalists; Stalin was offended by anyone who didn’t support his reign.
This OF COURSE is not to say that Imus was speaking some sort of “TRUTH.” It is to say that in times such as these, when there is so much falsehood, when criminals parade around like humanitarians, when the truth is so diluted by distortions - now more than ever should we interpret the 1st amendment as broadly as possible, and not let our sensitivities force us into knee-jerk reactions.
Those Rutgers girls are too strong, too confident, too successful to let something like an old-fart white man calling them “nappy-headed ho’s” ruin their day. What ruined their day was the media firestorm the words created. What followed was feigned outrage, misguided indignation, exaggerated pain (one girl said she was “scarred for life” - PLEASE!).
In the (paraphrased) words of a BLACK journalist from the Kansas City Star newspaper: “Thanks Imus, for allowing black people to NEGLECT THEIR REAL PROBLEMS.”
Here we are, engaged in the “race debate,” thinking we’re doing the country “good,” all-the-while the REAL problems of our culture - avarice, ignorance, violence, poverty - are being ignored.
Is this the price we must pay to not allow anybody to feel offended?
I say, OFFEND ME ALL YOU WANT! And then let’s get down to business…
April 13th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
SamJersey says:
By the way, great article, Mr. Burton.
April 13th, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Cody says:
Yeah, the media corportations really don’t give a shit who’s offended until it equals them losing money. Which is odd, in that case it seems like it was the news media ousting the sponsors. I pretty much relate all racism back to white guys in suits. They talk through so many filters, but it’s their system that allows people to get distracted on the superficial aspects and not the real idea. The media should butt the fuck out. If their gonna make apologies and such, don’t do it in press conferences! All the headlines are gonna be the same anyways.
Imus should say sorry, he said mean things. But if we’re gonna evaluate race or sex, this isn’t the way to do it.
And why weren’t the girls upset at being called ho’s? (Boom-chick, boom-chick, boom-chick, ha-ha-ha-ha we love dem hoes, ha-ha-ha-ha we love dem hoes).
Unite Motherfuckers! We always draw these lines in the sand, minority vs. majority, man vs. woman, gay vs. straight. What I think is a better portrayal looks something like this: Ignorant Americans vs. Cultured Americans. Frankly, looks don’t matter, it’s that pink lump of wrinkles in your head and that red blood pumper that matters. So yeah, here’s another liberal ass kid in college who hates “the man”, I like this message board
April 13th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Cody says:
By the way, great article, Mr. Burton.
April 13th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Amanda says:
What the hell ever happened to freedom of speech in America. I know that what Imus said can be taken as offensive but come on, these are smart and intellagent girls who know the difference between someone jokingly giving an insult and someone maliciously giving an insult. I have to believe that all the girls on the team have been called more vaulger names than a nappy headed ho in their lifetime and didn’t think twice about it. So why do they give a damn now, because Imus is a famous figure and nothing more. It’s too bad we treat our celebrities with such disrespect nowadays. And why is Imus getting all the crap for this when McGuirk is the one who was the first insulter?
April 13th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
kowtz says:
The Truth, I did not say there is no problem, I did not say IMUS had the right to say that… I agree, what he did/said was wrong… I said Imus calling them “ho’s” was the problem…
I just fail to see why the term “nappy headed” became a racist remark? come on guys, the type of hair you have doesn’t dictate your race…
If IMUS used the term, “prostitues with curly hairs” (basically the same meaning) would have it been racist? Derrogatory of course, by the word “prostitute”, but “curly haired”?
And if you tell me that “nappy headed” is a slang for a racist remark, then that’s where this debate ends, what it means to me, may not mean the same to you…
Think about it…
How come the color of your skin dictates if it is OK for you to use the N-word? Isn’t that being racist themselves? I mean the black people have the right to use the N-word, and iy you ain’t black, you can’t use it? Yeah right… Tell me who’s the racist now?
Even OPRAH did a show where she grilled african-american celebrities that use the N-word…
April 13th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Joeman says:
Why do you all think the Rutger girls have been called worse, because they are black? All black people have not been called vulgar things growing up. What are you all racists or just live in the south?(Just kidding)
Come on Amanda, are we supposed to treat our “celebrities” special just because they are on TV. That’s crazy!
April 13th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
Joeman says:
Let me help you out Kowtz
The N-word is the only word attached to lynching, second-class citizen non-human status, whippings, inadequate schooling, unequal pay, etc… Why some of my brothers and sisters embrace this word is hard to explain other than the fact that it was passed down to the next generations because it was a part of their lifestyle and have been trying to make that big fat lemon into lemonade. It is unfortunate (Mr. Burton) that anyone is still using it today.
April 13th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
SamJersey says:
This is an example of the type of small-minded thinking that gets us into “tempest in a teapot,” distracting-us-from-the-REAL-issues moments such as we are now in:
“Why do you all think the Rutger girls have been called worse, because they are black? All black people have not been called vulgar things growing up.”
No, sir. Not everything people say about black people, or about a black person, is said BECAUSE they’re black. Sometimes these things are said simply becuse they ARE PEOPLE! OTHER HUMAN BEINGS. When I implied that I was sure that they had heard worse things than “nappy-headed ho’s,” I said so because of MY EXPERIENCE as a non-practicing Jewish white-boy, who shares one very similar trait as the Rutgers girls: I’M HUMAN.
People like me - who crack racist jokes all the time (around friends, of course) - are the ones who truly see people for who they are, beneath their skin; that’s why racism is so funny: IT’S SO IGNORANT! (and I can take a joke)
People like you are the ones who can’t get past people’s skin color: everything you see and hear is viewed in the context of race. As Bob Marely said, “EMANCIPATE YOURSELVES FROM MENTAL SLAVERY!” (this is true in so many ways)
The quote above is just as silly as getting offended when someone says “You people…”
FYI: The English language doesn’t have different words for the second person singular and the second person plural; hence southerners usage of the word, “Ya’ll,” meaning “you all,” or in northern talk, “you people.”
April 13th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
JayTeeCash says:
Thank you, Sam, for expanding upon my points and more so eloquently.
Joe, you told me to just keep living and that I would defintely experience racism, and yet you attacked the fact that these girls have probably heard worse. So which one is it? I have experienced racism before. Plenty of times. But just recently I was called moron of the year, ignorant, and much worse. The truth is that NO ONE gets through life without hearing some negative comments or actions targeted towards them, and it’s not necessarily going to be about race. Race and stereotypes are just easy targets. It really is about being human. But I’m just going to keep on living. Because at the end of the day, what did any of these comments really mean? What did they really do to hurt me. Nothing. I’m going to worry about the problems that really do effect me. It’s interesting how you assume that I am half white when I use the term biracial. My other half is actually Mexican. I’ve heard it from both sides. I’ve heard my white friends hear it back. I’ve heard it towards people with retardation, I’ve hear it towards people who were skinny, I’ve heard it toward people who are fat, I’ve heard it toward short people, I’ve heard it toward tall people, end every other people in between. For some reason the issue of race is a lot more sensitive, and it really doesn’t deserve to be. Sure, black people throughout history have suffered. But so have Native Americans, so have Hispanics, so have Jews, and believe it or not, so have white people. Last time I checked most Jewish people are white. You have said something offensive to someone else sometime in your life. As have I. Everyone has. I don’t think we can help it as humans, which is a drawback from having these advanced brains over other creatures. We are equal oppertunity offenders. But the great part about or brains is that they allow us to choose to ignore it. They allow us to point out facts that disprove the offense, and they allow us to laugh. I think that anyone who is truely offened by Imus’ statements are giving in to that primative, instinctual side of the brain. The part that causes us to lash out as a reflex without really thinking. Now I know most of you on this board are smarter than that, right? I know most of these girls are, they’re just auditioning for their future acting careers. What is a meeting with this guy going to do for them? They were emotionally shattered by him, now they want to get him to talk at them some more? I hope they bring ear muffs.
JD- Where do you think these misconceptions came from? How did they come about? You think the Man, who must be some rich fat white guy who sits in a mansion smoking cigars all day, just made them up? Talk about ironic! Is it a conspiracy to get people to dislike eachother more? Not likely. People tend to develop the same culture and values of their parents and those around them. People of the same race tend to stick around eachother, because they share the same culture and values. It’s a big cycle that continues from generation to generation. Like I said, there are always exceptions to rules, but it really is a majority denomination. Just because you, your friends, or other people you know don’t happen to fit into all of the catagories doesn’t make it untrue. it might not be a pleasant thought, but maybe you are over sensitized to the fact that they exist. All you have to do is be proud of who you are, and not worry about what other people say, and that stereotype isnt so bad.
April 14th, 2007 at 3:03 am
SamJersey says:
I couldn’t have said it better myself, Jay Tee.
April 15th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
SamJersey says:
I guess we scared the other side away, Jay Tee!
I guess they realized that thinking Imus’s words were despicable does not necessarily = intelligence, and thinking that what he said wasn’t as bad as it was made out to be doesn’t necessarily = ignorance.
Hopefully, they’ll open their minds and see life’s nuances.
Hopefully, at least, they’ll learn how to take a joke!
April 16th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Joeman says:
What’s up fellas. I know how to take a joke, but this topic we are discussing is about about black basketball players not all human beings. Just trying to stick to the topic at hand.
Just because everyone has been offended in one way or another does not make it right. The problem is that a lot of times we say we’re joking until someone makes you mad and those words are not so funny anymore.
Do I really think Imus should have been fired for what he said. No. I guess he found out the hard way to not say those “private among friend” jokes in public. Would you guys have gone to the same extremes as Imus if the comments were just jokes? I thought he had a reputation for saying crazy things anyway. He got played like a fool. He should have apologized on his show and moved on. The meeting with the basketball team was forced on both sides by the media onslaught. I guess it really does not matter anyway, he will have a satellite show real soon.
Yes there are bigger issues Sharpton & Jackson should be addressing like the education gap in poor neighborhoods, dealing with the hip-hop community about their responsibilty to the black community, the crisis in the Sudan, and death rate among our young people. Or maybe even help to Emancipate me from my mental slavery.
Also I would like to thank “you all” for the FYI.