IMUS incident opens can of worm?

Question

Do you think this Imus incident has opened up segregation, racism, sexism and freedom of speach issues between balcks and white more so than before? All opinions count!

Answer 1

What has Imus done
for the Community ?

Definitely he said things he should not have said and deserves some form of punishment. The comments that were made by Don Imus were stupid and unfunny.

But do you know about the good things?

He has raised tons of money for:

The Imus Ranch for children with Cancer

The Wounded Warrior Project

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
(state of the art rehab center)

HYPERLINK "http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/" http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

He also raises money for:

Autism Awareness and research
(His son is not autistic unlike others who step up to the plate only after it affects them)

The Hackensack Pediatric Cancer Facility

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

He brought to the attention of his Guest Politicians that the families of the armed forces who lost their lives only got $12,000. (That was a disgrace!) I believe it has been raised to 100,000. (But money still won’t bring back loved ones)

He harshly questioned Generals and Politicians regarding what was happening at Walter Reed Hospital.

He has insulted Jews, Catholics, Gays, Blacks, and EVERYONE else. (He is an equal opportunity insulter)

He has apologized!






What has Al Sharpton Done
for the Community ?

He advocates for some who need advocating. However, we listen to clearly to him…because he has a BIG mouth.
Has Al Sharpton ever apologized for his role in the Tawana Brawley episode? (Read below)
What work has Al Sharpton done to stop rappers from calling black women names?
Sharpton is perhaps contributing to the continued cycle of racism in America. Martin Luther King, Jr. advocated peaceful protests, while Al Sharpton calls for destruction of individuals’ lives to promote equality.
Has Sharpton spoken out about “Hip Hop” radio personalities referring to whites as “Crackers”?

Has he tried to educate the young black community against using ethnic slurs toward one another? (That’s not right either)


In November of 1987, a 15-year-old girl named Tawana Brawley was found in upstate New York, covered with feces and racial slurs written in charcoal. Brawley, who is black, claimed to have been abducted and raped by six white law enforcement officers.

Sharpton raised hell and sought the “Heads” of the officers and “painted”
Steven Pagones, then a local prosecutor, who was one of those six men.

Pagones’ wife left him and he was disgraced. (He has since recovered). In a trial that began December 3, 1997 in a Duchess County, New York courtroom, Pagones sought damages for defamation that escalated during the course of the trial from $150 million to $395 million, but returned to $150 million during the eventual damages phase. Just over two weeks later, on July 29, the jury awarded Pagones $345,000 in damages, about two percent of the amount he originally sought. Sharpton was found liable for $65,000 of the total damages.

Tawana Brawley eventually moved to Virginia and admitted to making up the story. Sharpton has been given credibility by a white population who is afraid to say anything against him lest they be branded as Racist.

Answer 2

I don't like Imus.... and I don't listen to his show. The guy is a jerk and he apologized. This should have been done BUT Al and Jesse have people demonstrating against him and they won. Ousted! Imus is responsible to his bosses, he is at fault and they decided to fire him. Oh well. I'm just amazed at how much of a media craze this has caused. Obama even called for his firing... yet these same guys are cohorts of rappers aka young upstanding men that are helping "Black America". Last I check this was just plain America. Obama just met with Ludicrus a few days ago and is hoping with his help he can inspire young black men. I'm sorry but has he even listened to any of the lyrics in those songs... and he's horrified by Imus???? Disrespect is everywhere yet white people are to just take it and keep their heads down. If a white person questions that, they are racist. This double standard is getting old and it disgusts me. The more we seperate ourselves from one another the worse things will get. I personally don't know anyone who has owned a slave. America = melting pot of the world. Just because we are white doesn't mean we were involved in slave trade and doesn't mean we being bigots because we want to live in a world of equality. I keep hearing how much pain Imus has caused. The womens coach said on Oprah he has destroyed their dreams? I was raised to rise above its a shame the ravings of some old man has such control over peoples emotional well being.

Answer 3

No, the "Imus incident" hasn't opened up racial issues, it's just brought them more to the forefront. Racism exists, and the vast majority of this country is white. Therefore, racism issues aren't front page news everyday. For minorities, racism is an issue that most live with and some experience quite often. His words were not only racist, though, they were also sexist. As with minorities, many women are forced to live with sexist comments and attitudes, some of them frequently.

Yes, this is a free country. And yes, Imus is free to say anything he chooses. By the same token, he is responsible for his actions. And his advertisers and bosses are free to do as they choose: fire him.

And unfortunately for Imus, his words have caused many to overlook the fact that he supports a number of causes with his time and money. He fundraises and personally contributes to veteran's causes as well as helping children. It's sad, but when you find yourself in the middle of a controversy, most likely people will not concentrate on your good works, but your controversial ones. And again, he is responsible for his actions, and has unfortunately caused a lot of people a lot of pain.

Answer 4

Don Imus is a nappy headed ho for saying what he said...a total lapse in judgement...He does charity work with terminally ill children at a ranch, so I think all things considered, he has a good heart, but he also has this "show off" quality that comes with being in show business...Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton need to stay the hell out of other peoples' business and stop trying to play the race card...There is a fine line between empowering a minority and being prejudiced against a majority...It makes THEM no better than Imus...It makes them seem racist against whites...

Answer 5

One would think they would have tougher skins than that. It's like white people or other ethnic groups have never been called names or insulted on TV before. Even though it was wrong of him to say that, don't blow it all out of proportion. He should have gotten fired and he did. Non-in the spotlight people get fired for that kind of thing in the workplace so he should not be any different. But it's over now so get over it. I live in a predominantly black neighborhood and the things I hear people call each other makes me blush. Mothers calling their kids all kinds of names so one would think it would just go off their backs like water off a duck. I'm white and I don't care if people call me a honky or a mick. So what, it's just a name.

Answer 6

No, I think it will die down with the next big story that comes along. It'll probably have something to do with Anna Nichole. : )

What Sharpton and Jesse is saying is ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Stop with the racist comments already! Its getting PLAYED OUT!

Everyone wants to bring up rap music degrading our race.
Rap music does need to be changed because some of it degrades woman, "The male Ego" but its not just black rappers.
Its white rappers too. Paul Wal, Eminem. Rap needs to be changed as a whole, and

FYI Jesse and Sharpton HAVE been trying to change it. There have been meetings and radio segments that address this issue with rappers personally.

But then new rappers come out, young and hardheaded.

Answer 7

I don't like Imus. What he said was stupid but he has the right to his feelings and his speech. Freedom of speech is a right. I'd like to see someone stand up agains some of the stupid things that Al Sharpton has said. Sadly, though, if it is a white person they will be considered racist and shut down. Strange how that happens.

Answer 8

Don Imus IS a worm.

Answer 9

The exploitation this entire mess by Sharpton, Jackson and the militant blacks in disguise widens the gaps in our society. Both Jackson and Sharpton have done all in their power to enlarge the differences in the black and white cultures instead of working to eliminate them. Naturally their motivation is the continued financial support they get from attacking Whitey. When will the blacks wise up to the scam Jackson and Sharpton are doing??

Answer 10

yes it has, I have seen at least 50 questions on here about Imus and every single one goes back to race, and it is completely insane.