Am I a sellout?

Question

I watched the Imus thing and while I was offended I didn't think that he should lose his job. He was just saying what a lot of white people think anyway. He wasn't saying to attack, eliminate or kill black women.

Yes I was offended, Ireland, but should everybody that offends me in the media be fired?

Answer 1

It sounds like your expectations of proper behavior are pretty broad, which is a great trait.

Sure, he may be saying what some white people think, but does that make it right? I'm a huge fan of the freedom of speech but I think that people who are in the spotlight have a responsibility to be less hateful then they are allowed. I'm reminded of the genocide in Rawanda where much of the violence was fueled by radio DJs.

I don't care whether they fire him or not, but hopefully the world recognizes once and for all what a jackass he is.

No, you are not a sell out. I think people love to cry "foul" too soon, too often. Ask the basketball players, most of the time they'd rather keep the game going. Save the outrage for when it is really deserved.

Answer 2

really, no, you're not. If you base the way that you should feel about a statement directed toward a person and assume that it was directed at you in any other situation it would be ludicrous. Consider the probability of you being offended by anyone calling, say, Conan O'Brien "a pompadoured stick figure", not very likely, now is it? Now, just consider the fact that your DNA is equally identical to the two parties addressed by the two statements. Basing your emotions or decisions by feeding all input into your consciousness through a filter of racism would make you a sellout, as it is simply an elaborate machination of early attempts at classification of mankind in distinct regions of the earth without having to bother with constantly shifting borders of nations which more often than not do not even exist more than 300-500 years, and was twisted by a few individuals who felt that a fictitious book somehow made them superior to all others who did not follow it, and at that time, all others who did not follow that book all happened to be a different color than the followers. So, in short, you are never a sellout so long as you never feel the same way about anything as anyone else, just because that is how they feel.

Answer 3

Although Imus was not saying to "attack", "eliminate", or "kill" black women being called a "nappy headed ho" is degrading, and disprepectful. I don't understand why it's ok to invalidate young women who are in school and trying to provide a better life for themselves and their children to come. What does calling a female basketball player a "nappy headed ho" have to do with the way these women play the game. The worst part of it all is that Imus was trying to be funny. To answer your question, no, I don't think that you are a sellout. You have your opinions and are entitled to speak as freely as you so choose. I just hope that you understand the magnitude of the situation and can see why so many people are in such an uproar over the comments made.

Answer 4

No, you're not a sellout. I was offended, too (I'm neither black nor female), but let's face it... Imus is a Shock Jock. This is what he was hired to do. Frankly, I think the whole Shock Jock thing (along with much of what passes for professional comedy routines these days) is offensive. I believe that something is seriously wrong with our society in that so much entertainment is based upon being obscene and offensive.

Answer 5

no, I don't think you're a sellout. We're all entitled to our opinions and should not be persecuted for them. But I also believe that when you're a high-profile character -- or even *plan* to become one -- you should watch your mouth -- especially in public, because everything you say *is* used against you, eventually.

Since it wasn't directed at me, of course, I wasn't offended. I *was* shocked, though, that the station allowed the show to go on that morning. I can only *imagine* what a PR nightmare it's been since that moment.

Answer 6

No I don't think you're a sell out. I am an African American woman and Don Imus' comments were just utterly dumb,he should have to take responsibility for his offensive comment.

I however do think that these young women really don't need to go on his show or sue (which believe me is what they are about to do, even the coaches). They know they are not nappy headed Ho's so don't even dignify his stupid comments. It's not like they will be forever be considered nappy head hos. Move on and be strong ladies.

Answer 7

You are right. It is almost impossible to have heated discussions on many topics do to the overwhelming insecurity of the politically correct crowd. Is as though they have created social laws against people being offended. So what if people are offended. People are also hated; yelled at; cursed about and laughed at; but no one gets pysically hurt. If you can't handle criticism in any form go live in a closet.

Answer 8

i don't know or care it is just one more reason to ignore the rest of these questions so if you want to ask about a bias ask the question so it is noticeable because i am actually getting tired of seeing these questions on here... if you want to know if you were offended by something then you have your answer. if you want to know if i care then you have your answer. It isn't that i am so heartless to not care it just isn't important enough to actually form a dignified answer to. Stop caring what others say half the world away and start caring about what is being said to you. It is the freedom of speech that some have forgotten that allows Americans to be as brash belligerent as they wish. If you get offended then put some ear plugs in, change the channel, or just ignore the buffoon until they die. Get over it please and don't forget to be more specific so i never have to see this whining again...

Answer 9

Definatley not a sell out! OK he made a bad judgement, but I'm sure he meant no harm! And it isn't just what white people say, blacks say it about each other too!( or African American). I don't want to offend anyone!

Answer 10

How do you know what most white people think? I didn't see anyone blow their top when Charles Barkley declared that he hated white people during a post game interview several years ago. I've heard worse come from the mouths of blacks but no one calls them racists. Why is that? Is it because only white people are racists?? Of course!! That has to be it! Why else would Al Shartpon or Jesse Jackson declare war on white people?? Fact is you don't know anything about white people because if you did you wouldn't throw a blanket over us. I've never played the race card in my life, have you?