Did Imus talk about the Rutgers women's team?

???

 

Interesting discussion on CNN with Paula Zahn and Rev. Shar-Pei. When they showed the clip of Imus on his show today, I didn't see a black man and a white man. I saw two assholes.
What nobody has discussed, though: Imus wasn't the first to use the word "ho" on that clip - Bernie McGuirk or Stu Rosenberg or one of those thugs on his team said it. I don't necessarily think I-Man's a racist, but he keeps a pretty rough crowd around him in the studio, and he too often allows himself to get caught up in the racism, phobia, etc., when as host, he should at least be moderating the bile that comes out of these guys' mouths.
Don, you old, decrepit pantload.

 

Cool. I appreciate you merging the threads. You wouldn't need to do that if people would just delete the second thread of a subject once it's pointed out that there is a first one. I've deleted my own thread several times in that situation.

Either merging the two threads or locking the second one would keep the discussion on one thread. The exception, I suppose, is when somebody starts a thread on something covered on an all-purpose thread when it really deserves its own thread.

 

What's the coorelation? Of course, I know there isn't one.

You make a good point.

 

Nice to see Skeletor got suspended.

 

Two questions:

1. Can anyone offer a good reason WHY a black comedian would choose to use the word? Is saying "I told her to get her n---- ass back home" REALLY that much more funny than "So I told her to get her black ass back home"?

2. Do Jewish comedians or Hispanic comedians ever use the corresponding ethnic slur when talking about their own people? Why not?

 

I know Carlos Mencia throws "beaner" around like every 15 seconds on his show.

Oh wait, you said comedian.

 

There's actually an academic term for this, called 'signifying:'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signifying

I didn't read the whole wiki entry, but I remember the general meaning from a college course. Basically it has to do with taking the words that are used to demean you (in this case, it is specifically applied to African-Americans) and flipping them around/using them for yourself.

It's a little counter-intuitive, but hopefully the article makes it clear.

I think the heightened comedic effect is from using the 'taboo' word in a signifying/defiant manner, a device which the audience picks up on, even if they don't understand all the mumble-jumble behind the practice.

 

Hispanic comics do, for sure. They are always saying 'spic' jokes, at least some do, probably for the same 'signifying' reason. Before anyone says anything, I'm Latino, so I guess that gives me the 'ability' to say 'spic' without recrimination.

Not as sure about Jewish comics, but I have trouble believing the Jackie Masons, etc. of the world would pass up the opportunity to make some good jokes using such material.

 

The seal has a lot of power Moddy. But we're not going to get into that. I-man, Skelator, whatever you want to call him, is out for a couple of weeks. The airwaves will be much better for it.

 

I know this wouldn't happen, and I don't even think it should happen. But think about it.

When Rutgers' players make their statement tomorrow, what if they were to say something to the effect of: "It didn't bother us; we knew it was a joke; why's everybody so bent out of shape?"

I'm just curious as to how it would play out if that would happen.