Can we talk about Imus like adults?

[JackyJackBN]

I wasn't offended, but I was appalled.

Fair enough. What percentage of Americans do you think were appalled by the comments?

At least 90% of those aware of them. How many people you have discussed this with have said, "What's the big deal about a little joke? Who cares?" I know some pretty insensitive people, and I have yet to hear any such take from anyone.

I have heard many people say "it was a forking joke. And they did look like ho's". Again that was not me saying it but I have spoken to very few people that got to worked up by the comments.

I was born and raised in the Deep South. I've worked in a textile plant a couple of times in my life. I spent six years in the service. I've spent considerable time in the presence of pro athletes.

I've never met people like this. Well, maybe one or two Where in the heck do you find so many of them?

Oh please. They are all over the country. I was sitting in the bar Stout in NYC watching a Jets game, the 3 guys next to me were all wall street guys and after a black player gets caught from behind one guys says,"why do the Jets have the one slow nugget". The other 2 laughed their asses off. I have sat in country clubs and heard Tiger Woods called all kinds of things. To sit here and pretend that these words and thoughts are not uttered all over our country every day millions of times is fantasy. Do I like the words? no. Do I use the words? I have and I am not proud of it. Do I use them now? No I find them terrible for many reasons. But to pretend that people have bigoted, backward views only in the deep south or in trailer parks is wrong.

I have lived in this part of the country for 24 years. I have heard the "n word" once, at a county fair. (Never mind rap; that's not what we're discussing here.) I've been to plenty of golf clubs, both public and private; sports events, etc.

Anyone who denies the existence of bigotry would be a fool. Almost as big a fool as anyone who displays it openly.

 

[Boom_70]

Imus should have never gone on with Al Sharpton. It was a huge pr mistake for someone so savy. It gave Sharpton a voice he should have had none in.

If it stayed between Rutgers and Imus issue would have gone away fast.

He should have picked up the phone and called Howard Rubenstein. He still should.

 

[Jemele Hill]

Dignan, you actually made the point for me. I've watched Chappelle and laughed. I own Dr. Dre's Chronic. George Carlin is brilliant. We all enjoy some form of off-color entertainment, but based on your theory, if you do, you can't complain if someone calls you a "nappy-headed ho?" That's ludicrous.

It's funny how these filters work everywhere else in society, but somehow, when it comes to African-Americans, we must hold the perfect moral high ground lest we STFU and not complain about anything. The Sopranos is violent, often sexist, but is considered a brilliant show (by the way, I love the Sopranos and am not ripping on it). So according to Dignan, and others, if you watch the Sopranos, if you get shot or robbed, offended or called a racist name, you had it coming.

See, it's real easy to turn the lamp on rappers. They're an easy target. But nobody wants to cast that whole light on entertainment in general because that would mean some of the programming most of us frequent would also be under scrutiny.

Personally, I make no coorelation between what a comedian says and how I live my life. Our morals shouldn't be determined by our entertainment anyway. There is questionable entertainment in just about every culture. And even if you choose to listen to or watch that questionable entertainment, that does not give anyone license to disrespect you. And while I am no way comparing this Imus situation to rape, I agree that by making that assertion you are treading into the she-asked-for-it zone.

 

[BTExpress]

Or what of the people on this board who make comments about Ann Coulter's possible male genitalia because they don't like what she says?
I don't like what she says, either. But let's face it, would anyone shed a tear if this happened to her? And isn't that being somewhat inconsistent, if this is a women's rights issue?

Ann Coulter's shtick is hateful commentary. She doesn't "disagree" with people. She calls them "treasonous", "godless" or "faggots." Thus, there is little criticism of Coulter that can be considered out of bounds.

Rutgers' shtick is basketball. Criticize their shooting, their passing, their defense all you want. But a blanket personal attack --- and an inaccurate one at that, seeing as exactly one player has a tattoo and that none of them are whores --- is way out of bounds.

It's as obvious as the difference in the Sun and the Moon to many of us.

 

[Chuck~Taylor]

Imus should have never gone on with Al Sharpton. It was a huge pr mistake for someone so savy. It gave Sharpton a voice he should have had none in.

If it stayed between Rutgers and Imus issue would have gone away fast.

He should have picked up the phone and called Howard Rubenstein. He still should.

Exactly.

 

[Dignan]

Dignan, you actually made the point for me. I've watched Chappelle and laughed. I own Dr. Dre's Chronic. George Carlin is brilliant. We all enjoy some form of off-color entertainment, but based on your theory, if you do, you can't complain if someone calls you a "nappy-headed ho?" That's ludicrous.

It's funny how these filters work everywhere else in society, but somehow, when it comes to African-Americans, we must hold the perfect moral high ground lest we STFU and not complain about anything. The Sopranos is violent, often sexist, but is considered a brilliant show (by the way, I love the Sopranos and am not ripping on it). So according to Dignan, and others, if you watch the Sopranos, if you get shot or robbed, offended or called a racist name, you had it coming.

See, it's real easy to turn the lamp on rappers. They're an easy target. But nobody wants to cast that whole light on entertainment in general because that would mean some of the programming most of us frequent would also be under scrutiny.

Personally, I make no coorelation between what a comedian says and how I live my life. Our morals shouldn't be determined by our entertainment anyway. There is questionable entertainment in just about every culture. And even if you choose to listen to or watch that questionable entertainment, that does not give anyone license to disrespect you. And while I am no way comparing this Imus situation to rape, I agree that by making that assertion you are treading into the she-asked-for-it zone.

So it's OK for Chappelle to use a slur and not Imus? He was doing a comedy bit, just like Chappelle. Why the double standard, Jemele?

Why is it OK to pick and choose who can say offensive things and who can't?

 

[BadgerBeer]

Anyone who denies the existence of bigotry would be a fool. Almost as big a fool as anyone who displays it openly.

I agree 100%. I guess I am just a bit surprised that you have only heard the word one time in so many years. I guess where ever you live good things are happening. No racial jokes? No terrible comments in a bar during an NBA game? your town sounds like a wonderful place. I mean that sincerely.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Considering how few radio stations he's on, I'm kind of shocked this story is getting such national attention.

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

If it happens in New York or D.C. or on a New York or D.C. station, it's going to get national play (if you mean national as in national networks and chains). That's pretty much a given.

 

[gingerbread]

Some people want the players to shut up. I'd have no problem if they went on Oprah or Larry King and let America see what they're really like, and explain why being called whores is so hurtful.
Others want us to be more proactive when it comes to speaking out against things like vile rap lyrics. We can all take small gestures every day to make the world a bit more civil. It's my experience that if you call someone on their ignorance, if you turn to Wall Street guys spewing the N-word in a bar, and politely ask them to not use it, they'll be shamed into shutting up. And I'd bet a lot of other people would have your back.

 

[hockeybeat]

If it happens in New York or D.C. or on a New York or D.C. station, it's going to get national play (if you mean national as in national networks and chains). That's pretty much a given.

Also got to factor in that his show is aired nationally on MSNBC.

 

[Songbird]

There's gotta be a better way to spell "hos" than h-o-s.

I always see that as "hoss" or "hozz."

What's a better alternative?