Is there a double standard?

Question

We've recently seen the news of Imus and in New York trying to ban the N-word. Is there a double standard when it comes to what we say that may be deemed as racial slurs? Were you offended by what Imus said and do you think that banning the N-word will work? Hip hop obviously plays a big influence here.

Should those who are in the public eye (celebrities, news journalists, etc.) be held LEGALLY responsible for their actions that any other joe schmo would only get so much as a verbal reprimand from their peers and not suffer any consequences?

Answer 1

Here's the problem, Sharpton, the Rutgers coach and all its players have NEVER listened to Imus! Imus has a 400,000 listener audience made up of mostly 50 year olds and older! He ranks number 21 in the NYC market. those numbers are about as low as you can get. Blacks are doing more to isolate themselves from the rest of the country. The last time they rioted in L.A. they demolished the Asian neighborhoods, and believe this the Asian community hates the African American community. The hispanics and Latino's dont have much love for them either. You do notice though Carlos Mencia can say the N word all night! Al Shaprton or Jesse Jackson has never called him to the carpet!

Answer 2

There can be no "legal" responsibility for making racial jokes because of a little thing called the First Amendment. If someone "defames" someone else (makes a false and injurious defamatory statement about someone in particular) there could be civil damages, or advocates immediate criminal conduct or incites violence, etc. But - other than that the government can't really punish people's speech.

Imus has a Constitutional right to say that people are nappy headed. He might have defamed the women by calling them ho's, but he was clearly joking so I'm sure their case would be quite thin.

There's a Supreme Court case where Hustler magazine published a joke about a religious leader saying he lost his virginity to his mother and stuff, and Hustler won.

Answer 3

Though in bad taste, Imus's statements are protected by the first amendment. Realistically, any attempt to "ban" any so-called slurs will ultimately be challenged in the Supreme Court so I don't see it happening. I mean, what are we going to have... the word police? we now officially have way too much time on our hands.

Answer 4

Sure, ban the word. So what do we ban next? And next? And next?

What is up with making everything illegal? It's legal for the KKK to exist and for artists of any genre to say whatever moves them, but everyone else has to tiptoe around? Puhleaze.....

So when do we start policing what people say? When do we give the government the right to limit our speech and our thoughts? What is wrong with us as a society that we're begging for that to happen?

Imus made a mistake in judgment. He said hurtful things about people in the attempt to get a laugh. That makes him what? A comedian with poor taste? Dave Chapelle anyone?

The players he made comments about have a right to a beef, but everyone else is just playing it for the attention it's getting them. If Sharpton has never called anyone something inappropriate, I'll set myself on fire.

Buck up folks, being offended on occasion is one of the price tags of freedom. Beats the alternative if you'd give it some thought.

Answer 5

Of course there is a double standard. Jackson can call New York Hymie town and you dont see this much fuss about it. We have supposedly got the freedom of speech in this country but only if you are a minority are you free to say exactly how you feel and not get called a racist. While I agree he went too far, it is a fact of his career has been based on this kind of attitude, He insults everyone regardless of race, politics or whatever.

Answer 6

Imus directed his slurs at a specific group of people. If he had just said it in general then I don't think there would be all the uproar. If you start limiting what people can and can't say then you have taken away one of the fundemental foundations of our consitution.

Answer 7

NO WE DO NOT NEED TO BAN THE N..... WORD THEY CALL EACH OTHER THAT BUT WE ARE RACIST I WOULD WATCH IMUS ALL DAY LONG BEFORE I WOULD EVER WATCH A SICK AND DISCUSTING HIP HOP VIDEO. THE ACTIONS MOST BLACK PEOPLE ARE WHY WHITES ARE RACIST AND THAT WILL NOT CHANGE UNTIL THEY CHANGE. THAT IS FAR WORSE THAN ANYTHING IMUS OR ANY WHITE CAN SAY GET YOUR PRIORTIES STRAIGHT.

Answer 8

not necessarily celebrities but as for journalist and news broadcasters they are already held to a different standard
and are liable for the betrayal of public trust if they participate in yellow journalism or racial slurs.
as far as peoples liabilities for voicing there opinon there are none our right to free speech is safeguarded by our constitution.when that is threatened by the powers that be a political war ensues and by and by our rights are upheld.
as far as standards go there always does seem a dual definition one for this group one for that .it is wrong but we must continue on in hopes that it all works for the greater good.

Answer 9

We've got capitalism here. So it's simple. You can say whatever you want. But the American media is still dollar-driven. No, you don't need to ban anything. If corporations pull the plug, you're out.

Answer 10

I would honestly like a handbook with ALL the slurs in it, so when I or someone else says something, and it is not in the book, the accuser will have to shut the *^%*%^* up!!