Don Imus? Am I the only minority who feels this way?

Question

Man, I hate to say it, but Don Imus, as much as his comments were offensive and wrong, really didn't say anything much different from what many rappers have been saying for years. The only difference is that he is a white dude. I think it's right for him to lose his job over his irresponsible and disrespectful comments, but what gets me is that there are so many others (men of color) who have said things just as bad or worse about white women, black women and women in general, who will continue to hold a place of honor in our culture. Don Imus was obviously foolish in doing what he did, but judging him with a double standard isn't cool. If racism and mysogyny are really as unacceptable as many are suddenly claiming because of Imus, at what level are we willing to challenge it. It's cowardly to turn one middle aged white guy into a scapegoat when many artists from our own community are just as much a part of the problem.

Alex Chi - Oh I'm sorry. When I wrote this question I didn't realize I was on YOUR time table.

Used Matches - I think you might be missing my point. I'm not trying to excuse Imus by pointing at others, I'm saying before we skewer this guy let's look at the entire scope of the issue. I appreciate the article, but I don't really think it completely addresses my comment.

Answer 1

Even though this question is 2 days old and I have a thesis above me, I want to respond to this question because I like the way the asker made his point. Also, I have as of yet got to respond to this Don Imus issue. First off, as a caring, educated, and a culturally diverse thinking white male human being, I do not for a second support what Don Imus did or should we say, said. However, I do agree with the question askers double standard point. How can we work together as a United society and get past our race issues of the past if we still let color get in our way today? How can we as a United society move forward? Is that not what Doctor King himself wanted for all of us black and whites? His: "I have a dream" speech was not just about Blacks or Whites individually, it was about Whites and Blacks working together as a United family, period. His children and white children playing together in the same yard at the same time. If reverend Jackson's and Sharpton's goals are United then why do I feel they keep trying to tare us apart? Has agenda become more important than Doctor Kings dream? Why do they ignore the rappers hate and disdain for all woman of all color? Why is it fair for them to ignore Black comedians who make raciest remarks about whites and yet if it was a white doing the same thing they would get raked over the hot coals. I am sorry all my fellow Americans, I see nothing United about any of this. I see only hate and anger.

Answer 2

No- every black person I know feels the same way you do- it's just common sense and playinmg fair. The very people who fired Imus work for a company that is owned by the company that runs MTV and owns some rap record labels....and they're the very ones that popularized the language tha Imus used. (And I'll just bet ya, that after the news conference, the nappy-headed hoes got in a car, and turned on some rap music that contained the same words that Imus used)
Something's terribly wronmg when words are O-K for one race to use...but not another. I never cared for Imus...and I'm even more disgusted by the fact that he apologized (lack of character, cant even stand behiond his own words and stand up for what he says)....but the sort of persecution he suffered is going to make him a hero in alot of peoples eyes.
The politicians are doing this to us- getting us used to the soon-to-be-enacted thought-crimes ("hate crimes") laws...and all it's doing is taking the spotlight off of their own dirty deeds, and dividing people...over nothing more than a mere joke.

You're not alone my friend...decent people of all ethnicities feel the same.

Answer 3

persons have to relax with how badly they get angry over stuff like that. cuz what we stated wasn't all that unhealthy besides the ho's side and rappers each different phrase is ho's adopted via forty's after which blunts. complete double ordinary. then jessee jackson and al sharpton move at the battle course and whilst rappers make a dwelling off of claiming that approximately ladies and not anything's ever been performed. each person simply demands to stop complaining and no longer be so touchy at the quandary. Imus shoud've simply gotten a slap at the hand. the excellent used to be how rosie o'donnell made a laugh of asians on her exhibit and no person went after her. she even scolded Imus for his feedback. rediculous.

Answer 4

I think the most hypocritical part about the entire situation is Sharpton saying his apology wasn't enough and he should be fired, this from the lips of an anti-semite (link 1). I personally believe that no speech should be censored or restricted to do so means you're not American or believe in the American ideals. I'm personally boycotting watching anything by CBS or NBC, I'll miss some shows but if they're going to treat Imus with a double-standard then I won't help enable their network by turning it off, I didn't watch Imus nor listened to him but I believe we all have the right to change knob if a show offends us or we view as being morally offensive. It's all it takes and it maintains our freedom of speech and choice.

Answer 5

I know Don Imus was not the first person to have used those words but you know people acted like he had made up those words himself, If only the rappers showerd respect to their own race and women then maybe no one would go around insulting women and african americans, but nooo the rappers wanna blame someone for their own ignorance. NO one should call anyone a "nappy headed ho" period

Answer 6

I wish I could give you a standing ovation, seriously. I agree with you 100% - well almost, I don't think he should've lost his job if all these rappers are still allowed to sell their records. People are so scared of stepping on other people's toes these days, it's just silly. I thought this country was supposed to be equal, but how can it be if there isn't equal consequences for all actions?
Rap has gotten so dirty I've stopped listening to it, I feel it's beginning to corrupt our society. It teaches the listeners to swear and disrespect each other. Not to mention the violence implied in most songs.

Here is part of a song from Ludacris, I'm sure you've heard it - "Money Maker"
You ... you looking good in them jeans
I bet you look even better with me in between
I keep my mind on my money, money on my mind
But yous a h3ll of a distraction when you shake your behind
I got * on my right side pouring some cups
My whole hood is to my left and they ain't giving a f--k

ugh. Sickening

I wish more people saw things the way you and I do. I had a question about this earlier, maybe you should read it.

have a nice day =)

Answer 7

While its true that many of our own people are demeaning to our people (i.e. our women or women in general) the situation with Imus has more to do with his specific position than anything else. Don Imus has a radio show and a television show which are basically viewed as outlets for credible information. He has political candidates who come on to proclaim their views or make explanations- Imus is a journalist. So, their is a difference when an entertainer, unfortunate as it is- says "ho" versus when someone who should be upholding the standard says it.

Answer 8

I totally agree with you. Yes, he was wrong for saying what he said, but we would accept that very comment in the form of a rap song. And sisters would be swinging their hips to it and singing along like nothing is wrong. Black people are saying, "This is wrong. We should not be supporting this music." But we buy the Cd's, tune into the radio stations and think it's cute when toddlers are dancing to it. When we as a whole stop talking about it and start being about it, things will change.

Answer 9

Yeah. This is very last week. And honestly you aren't saying anything that you didn't hear on the news.

WHITE PEOPLE BUY THE MAJORITY OF RAP MUSIC.

And who refers to themself as a minority? You can't just clump many multiple groups of people in to one category, as if our world view is the same.


Excerpt from: Passing the Buck and Missing the Point:
Don Imus, White Denial and Racism in America
By Tim Wise


One thing has been made clear by the Imus incident: namely, white folks are incapable of blaming other whites for white racism and racist behavior. Despite all the demands by whites that blacks take "personal responsibility" for their lives, their behaviors, and the problems that often beset their communities--and especially that they stop blaming whites for their station in life--the fact is, we can't wait to blame someone else when we, or one of ours, screws up. So please note, from virtually every corner of the white media (and from black conservatives who are quick to let whites off the hook no matter what we do), the conversation has shifted from Imus's racism to a full-scale assault on rap music and hip-hop. In other words, it's those black people's fault when one of ours calls them a name. After all, they do it themselves, and of Imus really can't be expected not to say "ho" if Ice Cube has done it. At this point, I'm halfway expecting to hear Bill O'Reilly say that white folks wouldn't have even heard words like n****r if it weren't for 50 Cent.

But this kind of argument is not only absurd on the face of it, even more to the point, it's a complete affront to the concept of "personal responsibility." It ranks right up there with telling your mom that "Billy did it too," back when you were ten, and playing ball outside, and broke your neighbor's window. As I recall, mom didn't really give a rat's ***, and responded by saying something about Billy, a bridge, and whether his desire to jump off like a damned fool would inspire similar stupidity on your part.

Answer 10

Very well said. I agree with you. I'm not sure he deserved to lose his job, mostly because of the effect it will have on his charity ranch for kids with cancer. He has done so much good for so many kids and to have that harmed because of one stupid statement seems a little overkill to me. Believe me I'm not defending what he said just looking at the bigger picture.