Why is Imus being punished?

Question

Its ok for blacks to call other blacks ho's, ni**ers and bi*ches, when someone of another race says something to 'offend' another person that is grounds for termination? Read the Constitution people...We have rights. The freedom of speech, public,private or MSNBC. Are you kidding me,all of our families came here for freedom,(we have Constitutional rights),not to have Rev. Jesse Jackson or NAACP screaming 'injustice for all' every time THEY see fit. Arent we all suposed to be equal? Who cares what Imus said. Its all political BS anyways,let him continue with his show,he has the RIGHT to express his comments however he sees fit. If it was that bad the FCC should have bleeped it.

Answer 1

The answer if multi-faceted. One point is that previous responders correctly said that MEDIA fuels anything they give attention to. They GO to Sharpton and others and GIVE them actual media coverage. This is an individual choice of the media editorial staff. Media is driven by ratings. Any ranter and raver who whops-up emotions is simply good news. They create dirision and division. It is also good media. It's good media because people's lives are largely boring and repetitive, and they like something that makes them feel alive and excited, and grab their attention to keep them distracted. The chemical addiction to the rush of emotion.

And when something's on TV, then it's in EVERYONE'S mind. This is a great power. A power of influence. The media's fervor to grab ratings and increase their OWN attractiveness to higher ad revenue dollar share is the main driving force. Unfortunately this cycle chains media to a superficial level - because the PEOPLE WATCHING are superficial.

The economic mechanism of the fallout is simple. It triggers the fears of vendors who advertise products to a broad-based and fickle public. They FEAR, rightfully so, the withdrawl of BRAND LOYALTY of their product if seen as supporting a racist. The thing is, Imus is not a racist. The vendors are affraid that people will THINK he's a racist because a prominent black man is CALLING them a racist. There are many double standards already illucideated in previous answers here. The only black man responded said it best, 'think, think, think....' be free of mental tyranny.

Answer 2

I Agree with you 100%. Tyra Banks has called black people Nappy Headed on her daytime talk show. Where was Jackson and Sharpton then? Rappers use the word N----- and B---- and ho and so many more and no one says boo. This is called Selective Freedom of Speech. It is a new Right or Non Right. You are only allowed to say bad words about your own race. Lets get real people. If saying Nappy Head Ho is the worst thing the man ever did he is doing pretty damn good in my book. The only racisist here are the NAACP, Sharpton and Jackson. Once again the double standard for the white americans.
I also agree with the other contributor in the answer section. Why is it ok to have a predominatley black college Hillman but not a White College. Why is it ok for blacks to get special privaleges? (ie jobs, scholarships,etc) They say they want to be equal and treated the way whites are treated yet they expect whites to give them things? This is not being equal. They complain about how Harlem looks. Do your history folks, Harlem used to be a high class neighborhood. Is it the white persons fault that when some blacks moved in they didnt maintain the standards that were set before them? How is it my fault that you live the way you live I have no control over that. If the blacks would stop pitying themselves and thinking that they are owed something a lot of the so called racisim wouldnt exsist.

Answer 3

All in all it has to do with the all mighty dollar. I am a fan of Don. I think he will end up on sat. radio and make even more money. Everything you see on TV, hear on the radio, and read in the paper is made to get your attention somewhere else. It dont have a thing to do with race. If that were true then lets get rid of the icon for the 'Fighting Irish'.
"Everyone knows all the Irish are a bunch of drunken brawlers'' If Don would have said that, well then it would have been laughed off and that would have been the end of it. Forget race, and color. The real color thats involved is GREEN!!! Its all about the MONEY!! By the time this BS has had time to swirl down the drain Don will be richer, Jesse and Al will have found something else to cry about, the ball club got a bunch of FREE advertising. Then we can get back to the real news of the day. Anything to do with Anna Smith ;-)

Answer 4

I wholeheartedly agree. I think he's being punished because he's a high profile white celebrity and because there is a double standard when it comes to racism in the media. It's ok for black celebs and media to make "cracker" and "hos" comments but not for other races to do that because it's their own set of words. Also besides the usual "black" racism we see people getting punished for in the media, what about when other types of racism that occur and from black celebrities no less? Case in point, when Yao Ming first entered the NBA, Shaquille O Neal was caught on tape in an interview making a silly Chinese impression. Did people call for his ouster? No it was dismissed after a quick apology. No firestorm from the media, nothing. As an asian person, I'm able to see this issue from a middle ground and what I see is that it seems only racism towards black people gets the most media coverage. If only Jesse and Sharpton would protest for other groups besides their own race, maybe I would take them seriously and maybe other types of racism would make it to public conscious.

Answer 5

It is not OK for anyone to use words that are not positive and uplifting. Why would (you) want to use the terms that some blacks use?? It is also a matter of context. You will accept offensive words from your friends, but not the same words will be accepted from someone you do not know. WHY? Everyone must be responsible for their own actions and think before they speak. No matter who you are there are some words that can destroy your self esteem, some time if only spoken once.There is an old saying( you do not know me well enough to talk about me). One must be intelligent enough to examine your own thoughts first before you question why some one becomes upset by what is said about them. Have you ever been upset by something someone said about you??Everyone hurts and everyone can be hurt. And by the way you are RIGHT,in that the comment could have been bleeped out,why was it not. Jackson and Sharpton do not speak for most blacks, but they will speak when someone puts a microphone in their face, who does that?, the media.Think think think do not become a pawn.

Answer 6

This hindrance honestly offers a few questions: a million) Should Imus be fired? Is he a racist? two) Are the leaders calling for his head precise? three) Do we think in Censorship? a million) Sould Imus be fired? Racist? Imus is paid to ruffle folks's feathers. Much like Simon in American Idol, the fellow makes a residing through announcing politically wrong matters and getting beneath folks's skins. He is an same possibility culprit. Were his feedback beside the point? Yes. Were they made with the planned reason to belittle headquartered on race? I doubt so. The guy used to be being himself and doing what he will get paid to do; crossing applicable barriers. Whether he crossed too a long way or now not will likely be a question of opinion, however freedom of speech is and will have to be covered. The unlucky factor is that within the core of the entire factor, I nonetheless need to recognize extra approximately the athletes that he indignant; his feedback took clear of their attempt and their achievements. Making the ones achievements and energy greatly identified will end up how unlucky his phrases have been greater than any "chief"'s needs can. two) Are the leaders calling for his head precise? Their management has in beyond instances been instrumental, and for that I recognize them, however there's a factor in which their interventions will have to quit earlier than they grow to be trivial and I consider they're exceedingly just about crossing it. When they get worried in matters that weren't racially encouraged they make it racial. Are there racist folks on the earth? sure. Unfortunately. However, now not all people that makes an unlucky expression is a racist . When I see them publicly getting into an hassle and spotting that phrases will have been taken out of context my recognize toward them will expand. three) Censorship - I in my view revel in irreverent humorousness, and think that folks and now not govt or any group will have to come to a decision what folks get to listen to or revel in. In that freedom lies our handiest hazard to peer the sector as it's and now not as anyone else needs us to peer it (if that's nonetheless feasible). I have however one query to invite. Would Sharpton and Jackson be in hands if he had referred to as one other staff say with white females a trailer trash assortment? Would it nonetheless were beside the point? YES... the real hassle, nonetheless could be the equal; his phrases took clear of anyone else's acomplishments in an undeserved system they usually could deserve an apology. That hassle does now not have a dermis colour.

Answer 7

You have a good point. I think they did it because he often said bad things about this administration too. He was not a good enough "walker". He strays away from the "path" too often. So, it is OK for other more offensive talk to continue, like Ann Coulter calling Democrats anti-American and anti-Christian, and other foul venmon spewing hypocrites to remain on the air. They took him out because he was the more "liberal" of the shock jocks. They should have fined him heavily and required certain repairations. But it is nicer to him to just give him two weeks off. He has been warned. Let's see if he makes any further bad remarks about W. If he's smart, he will watch his step, but more than likely, this is a sign of times to come.

Answer 8

I don't even get how "nappy-headed" can be considered racist in the first place. White people can't have nappy hair? The NAACP is a joke and Jesse Jackson has no freakin' right to cry "racism" EVER. ("Hymietown," anyone?) Everyone just needs to grow the hell up.

Answer 9

I am trying not to let this whole thing make me angry but I am having a hard time with it
as the events of today have unfolded I have learned that it is ok for a black woman to ruin the lives of young white men saying that they raped her when they didn't and she will go scott free! but on the other hand a white man that has done much good for both the white and black community's says some thing (stupid &uncalled for) but didnt ruin anyones life and look what happens to him

Answer 10

I agree wholeheartedly!!! And obviously you are not oblivious to the news...
We get into trouble for racial slurs, we get into trouble for having all white fraternities, colleges etc, but blacks can have all black whatever they want!!! How is that not racist??? Blacks can have all black pagents, but we can't have all white pagents, because that is racist???? C'mon, it SMACKS of a double standard!!!!