Is freedom of speech based on race?

Question

(In the U.S.)

Clue you in? Look around you...Don Imus gets mauled for saying what he did, yet those of another skin color can say those things without fear of repudiation. THAT is a double standard.

Answer 1

Yes it is a double standard, but freedom of speech is still universal in the United States. He wasn't prosecuted by our government in anyway, just by society and his employer. Double standards in society are very common, and nothing to worry about. Basically it's what the media and the outspoken minorities think is best for us. We give them power by taking them seriously, and they use this power to gain more attention and popularity. It's all of our faults. (Except mine)

Answer 2

No it isnt. Freedom of speech is a great thing, as long as people dont abuse it. The only reason why minorities dont seem to get called out is because: 1.There's basically none of us in a postion of power where we have a voice (Condoleeza doesnt count), and the few of us that are in power have never said anything so outlandish, 2. Minorities have organizations who look out for their civil rights. Unfortunately, Caucasians are going to get the short end of the stick on this matter, because the US has such a bad history with it's "immigrants", voluntary and involuntary. Calling Blacks the n word or making derogatory statements about their features isnt going to fly, especially being just a reminder of slavery. Yes slavery is in the past, but you know....there are times when the n word is used to anger a Black person, for no ther reason than to make them feel inferior and thats the only way for it to be accomplished. Imus was outta line to disrespect those educated women like that. You dont come that far in life just to let someone tear you down.

Answer 3

I do not think that what Imus said was correct, in fact it was very wrong, especially because of his job, he should personally be more concerned about what he says offending people. However, If that Reverend dude is going to drag his butt on the air, claim that Imus called his daughter a "happy nappy headed ho" and request his resignation then his butt should also be in front of several major record companies asking for the same thing, for them to also step up and take responsibility for the lyrics they use that on most occasions are worse than anything Imus said. If Imus looses his job that is the price he pays, however their are several others that should pay as well. I am not racist, but I have always wondered how is it that a black person can call another black person a ******, but if a white person uses the same word he is very likely to be in a fight? I honestly think that Imus's statement wouldn't have breed racism, if you were before you heard him you still would be, if not, you probably barely heard what he said, you wouldn't have become one. However seeing the hypocrisy and the reaction from the black community and again how its generally accepted depending on your color to say certain things, in fact will cause hatred, and unfortunately the more the news talks about it, the more wood that gets put on the fire.

Answer 4

The Imus thing is a bit overblown. I'm not a Don Imus fan but he has a right to say whatever he wants good or bad. Talk show hosts are all about ratings. Howard Stern offends every time he opens his mouth and nothing is done. As far as race being a factor it sure is. The rappers use language and promote rape. drugs and crime as if it was a medal of honor. As soon as someone that is not a person of color says it that becomes hate speech. The same people who say they are open to freedom of speech are the ones who want to silence the people that disagree with them (the left). Remember it was OK for certain leaders and talk show hosts to call our president and terrorist or compare him to Hitler and nothing was done about it. Blacks can say anything to anybody and it seems to be OK because they still think they are oppressed in this country which is bull.

Answer 5

This situation is just like anything else. There are certain situations were you need to watch what you say...for instance, you can't work in a professional setting and get on your phone talking loud and cursing and all that, because it is offensive. An actor can't have a television show and have a scene where they are butt naked cursing on ABC. Imus was working, and at work there are things you just aren't allowed to do, if you want to keep your job. You also wouldn't bust out singing in the middle of class, because it is all disrespectful. If he was talking to his friends and mentioned something like that then, that doesn't make it right, but it will be accepted by his friends. Everyone has made a racist comment at one point or another, and that doesn't make it right, but it's not something that is going to be accepted either. It's just a fact of life. It sucks, but that's just the way it is. So ultimately I guess freedom of speech is based on race.

Answer 6

Yes, freedom of speech is based on race because people are hypocrites. Daily, and I mean all the time, we hear non-whites referring to white women using the most deflamatory names imaginable--most of which cannot be repeated here. Yet, no one complains, however...shoe on other foot, and the AA's start screaming racism. Who are the true racists here? Hmmm? Oh, maybe I should refer you to a line, written by a black writer, from the award winning script and movie, Boyz n the Hood. "Get away from them nappy headed boys!" Double standards? Yes. Using the so-called defense of the people who say they are offended, I am offended by all of them including Imus, all Rap and Hip-Hop music must be banned permanently for the same reasons, and worse, that Imus has gotten in trouble. Otherwise, all this talk people are doing is hypocritical.

Answer 7

This is a question that will never die. Basically in order for America to become whole again society must forget color and stop living in the past. I am an African American that believes that society is doubled standard. Take for example the Dixie Chicks and they comment got them banned on Radio Station, Interracial dating causes people to move in the different bracket, money makes you untouchable, and people feed off every thing.

Al Sharpton came down on a Black Senator who used the N word and it made tabloids. Its not what he said its how he said it. Nappy Headed Hard Core Hoes.....think about it....reality doesnt strike until another team does it. The rapper 50 cents made a comment about Jews and now he is facing the consquences.

When the slaves were freed from some of your ancestors people were still keep in bondage. Minorities rather Black, Jew, Indian, Mexican, Hispanics, Chinese, Japanese and who ever I forgot; does not have the fair chance in Corporate America like whites. Face it its reality...by Don Imus stating what he said he was placing the indifference out there for all to see and all to say its okay to call educated Ivy League students nappy headed hoes when his grammar was not correct in the first place. Hoes is people who are paid to have sex not attend college and go to a championship

Am I pissed hell yeah I am. Do I listen to rap or comedian that uses the N word; hell naw I dont. Do I support racial violence no I do not.

We are in a totally new century without slavery and yet Whites still try to find ways to keep blacks from moving ahead....do we stop trying no we do not. They are even using Blacks to impreach Blacks.

Whatever....he should be fired.

Answer 8

Not in all cases. Don Imus shouldn't be viewed any different than another person. If Bill O'Reilly said that, he would be in a pretty similar situation. But it isn't race as much as social status. Imus has good ratings for his show. So if Stuart Scott said something like that and so did an intern, the intern would get in a greater deal of trouble. I feel its more social status than race.

Answer 9

There is a definite double standard in this country.
Not only in regards to speech but in most other aspects as well.

As much as some groups of people scream and yell about inequality and racism, these are the same people who, by a large prcentage, are allowed and encouraged to collect from social programs and who benefit from affirmative action based soley on their race, while the middle aged caucasion male in poor health does not even qualify for $7 a month in food stamps and ends up on the brink of being homeless after working his butt off since he was 14.

White people must watch every word they say and hope someone does not take it the wrong way or twist it to make a huge issue out of it and then go after them for blood.

Answer 10

Nobody says that Imus dosen't have the right to say what he did, however when one exercises the freedom of speech that speech is not guaranteed to be free of consequences to the speaker. Could Chris Rock have said the same thing and not have suffered the same consequences? Probably so, but Imus and Rock still would have equal freedom of speech. Freedom of speech only prevents the government's supression of the speech.

Answer 11

Apparently the theme of the whole thing is, are we allowed to speak our minds, or be under subject to an others opinion of that all damning and anti-American modern plague known as "Being politically correct". I am all for respecting other people, and think this world would be a far better place if people would be more considerate and respectful, but you have to allow people to speak what they will, where they will, when they will. If not, today it is a talk show host, rambling on with an off colored remark (no pun intended), tomorrow it will be the common man getting ticketed, fined or jailed for stating his opinion about that other disease, known as the religion of Islam. yes i said that, and i have every right too. and even as i read more about it, study some of its doctrine, i still find it a bunch of gobbledygook centered around controlling others..even worse than certain forms of Christianity...