What more can Don Imus do?

Question

I mean he's publicly apologized several times over with no expectation of forgivness. He's accepting his suspension with respectful dignity. He's trying to set up a meeting with the Retugers Women's Basketball team so he can personally apologized. Why are Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton saying it isn't enough?

What are they doing to get african american comics to stop making racist jokes against white people? Why is it taboo to make fun of non-white people but comics who are non-white can make any sort of joke they want?

His comments were offensive to me but as a person. But like Coach Stringer said this is bigger than them, it's bigger than a single race, and I would argue that it's bigger than a single gender. Why do we allow people to talk this way period? How do we strike the balance between free speech and basic human dignity and respect?

Answer 1

There obviously is a huge double standard going on here and, in the long run, it is counter-productive and not fair for anyone. first off, his comments were not that bad. I've heard far worse comments by main-stream African American comedians. secondly, his comments were (at best) border-line racists / sexist. if they were, then about 75% of people in radio and TV would have to be classified the same. seriously, how many times have you heard someone call another person a 'ho'. this thing has gone way too far.

and another point, sharpton is abusing this situation to advance one group's special interest. wasn't he one of the first to condemn the duke lacrosse players? I don't see him standing in line offering an apology to those young men. the bottom line is sharpton's group should not be allowed to set standards and govern what is acceptable to hear on radio / TV. this is the FCC and other regulators job, let them police it independently and outside the influence of special interest groups.

Sharpton needs to apply the same set of standards to all races. racism does not mean 'a white person that hates blacks'. it's not about one race is allowed to do this, but another race is not or it can't be racist if a minority does it. racism is a two way street and it's time for people to start realizing this and our leaders to start sending consistent messages.

Answer 2

I heard that Sharpton participated in a CD burning to publicly denounce the vile rappers.

Imus was allowed to be Imus by the network he is on. The network permits this. They probably just want to make and example out of Imus that comments like that will not be tolerated. Imus has a major show.

Black comedians on the other had, are not that huge. They could get banned from venues in such but really, who cares. Would anyone even notice. I know I wouldn't because I don't like degrading artist. Just the same, I personally won't notice that Imus is off the air because I never caught his show in the first place. This just made Imus a household name. This just made him more famous. Thanks MSNBC!

Answer 3

Well, since there is a history of BLACKS BEING OPRESSED AND ENSLAVED (NOT TO MENTION THINGS SUCH AS JIM CROW LAWS AND COLORED ONLY BATHROOMS) IT IS EASY TO SEE WHY WHITE MAKING REMARK ABOUT BLACK IS WRONG. Whites have unjustly DOMINATED everyone else throughout history through some sort of way. I am willing to admit this and I am white. It would have been the same difference had he made it about a group like Latinos, Asians, or Arabs. Whites just CANNOT do this.

Unfortunately, Imus is now in the Michael Richards category where FOREVER ON, EVEN AFTER HE DIES, WILL BE KNOWN BY THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN MAINSTREAM AMERICA AS A RACIST AND/OR BIGOT

Answer 4

He has to get on his knees and make out with Jesse Jackson's asss

----------update------

after reading some of your answers on here from some worthless liberals, I kinda lost my humor about the whole thing....Don Imus said a retarded one-liner that I only seen taken out of context - so I don't know how funny or lame of a joke it was to begin with....however, I now think he is a poooossy for not standing up to some of these liberal weenies....dude above me who says Imus should die because of what he said, I propose you kill him...and for murder and denying him of his civil liberties I hope Americans publicly beat you to death and impale you anus first on a fire hydrant....idiot.....this is the 'pussification of America' as foretold by the great and omniscient George Carlin

that is all idiots

Answer 5

Don Imus needs to stop being a bigoted ******. However, we all know that won't happen.

It isn't this one incident that is the problem, but the fact that he must be a racist bigot in general to have made a comment like that. He doesn't need to say he's sorry for who he is, but to change who he is. Admitting he is a racist bigot would be a first step. You can't just say "I'm sorry" and cover up the opinions that you still have.

Answer 6

Imus should be dropped by his advertisers. His suspension for two weeks amounts to an unscheduled vacation for him. How is this a punishment? He should be suspended for a month for calling them Hos and another month for the Nappy Head comment. This would get the message to him. He has not been punished by the two week suspension. It should also mean that his show pulled for the time that he is gone. He should not be paid for broadcasting repeats or for having someone else host his show while he is gone.

Answer 7

This whole thing is a crock of you-know-what.

It was a joke, may be in poor taste.,
We're getting to be so damn political sensitive.

Maybe they want to see him tortured. Yea,
quarter him! That would be appropriate!
Whjat to do. Ignore it!!!!! He LOVES the publicity!
Are the ladies of the Rutgers basketball team supposed to be intelligent people? Then they should be able to deal with it. brush it off.

Answer 8

I wonder why, as a woman, the comment isn't offensive to you.

Answer 9

Imus is a loser and who ever listen to him is a loser

Answer 10

He can go ahead and just die.