[quote]Headhunter wrote:
We should wonder: why Imus? He’s certainly not alone in stupidity on the airwaves.[/quote]
I just read a pretty decent article in Time magazine online… I guess the difference is that mainstream politicians aren’t regularly going on Michael Savage or Howard Stern’s show. Imus was considered mainstream, so when somebody mainstream crosses the line, it’s considered different.
At least that was what I got out of the article.
Also I saw another interesting perspective… these girls were college students and top athletes. Imus’ comments just push the idea that no matter how successful you are in life, there are idiots who will still try to tear you down just because you’re black. And that is offensive.
I’m glad Imus got fired for this. I agree that Michael Savage is worse.
The media has really gone to hell and these emotional hate-spewing diatribes are promoted as good, honest journalism. Balderdash!
The other day I watched an interesting interview from 1980 on Youtube. It was Phil Donahue ( a liberal) interviewing Ayn Rand (the darling of many on the Libertarian Right). They actually had
a respectful exchange. Donahue did not hold his punches, but there was an exchange of IDEAS, instead of primitive one-upmanship. I realized then just how much the media has gone to hell. There is no exchange of ideas…just hate-spewing, carefully manicured sound-bytes, and two (or more) interlocutors talking past one another.
[quote]Mufasa wrote:
…The black community DOES seem to be overreacting to what he said…
SOME did… and not even a majority…just the ones who had access to a mike and a public Forum.
Also; Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have never “spoken” for me, and never will…
Mufasa[/quote]
I just heard a tape of Sharpton repeatedly using the ‘N’ word, ranting on how black culture was superior to ‘Greek Homos’ during that time period, and also saying derogatory things about Koreans and Chinese.
I can’t find a transcript anywwhere though. Anyone got a link?
IMO the sponsors that pulled their ads from Imus’ show only did so to appear like they care to guilt ridden whites. The same goes for CBS firing Imus; it’s a way to make up for all the crap they’ve put on the airwaves and make whites feel good. I believe they miscalculated just how much this has outraged both whites and blacks. Most whites probably realize it was a joke, maybe it was in poor taste, and it’s not like black comedians don’t make fun of whites.
Also, I doubt most blacks really care what Imus says; most probably don’t know who he is.
Racism in america has become a touch subject of where do u cross the line ? and what has happend to freedom of speech? I dont agree with Imus or what he said , but he his entitled to his owne opinion and by the constitution he has a right to freedom of speech. Martin Luther King JR wanted a world where a black or a white doctor was a doctor and a country where people didnt see color only seen humans.
In a world where color isnt seen, then what is the difference between Imus saying a racial remark and the skit of chris rock " i hate niggers" ?
You know, I was thinking of this some more, and I have an idea of how this might have happened.
Imus is about 100 years old, yet he likes to think of himself as “hip.” How many times when you were a kid did your dad, or a friend’s dad or some teacher try to use some phrase he heard you and your friends using, or he heard on TV and thought was “cool,” and end up mis-using it and sounding like a retard?
I can completely picture that being what happened here. Imus is watching MTV or the Chappelle Show or something similar, hears the phrase “Nappy Headed Ho” used in some context, and decides to throw it in to a conversation as if it might be funny just to use the phrase.
He may or may not have understood it in the context of an insult - probably understood it as at least mildly derogatory, but with absolutely no feel for context, just like a dorky teacher trying to be cool with the kids.
Anyway, after pondering the possibilities, I think that’s got to be a very plausible explanation.
What has Rosie said that has everyone mentioning her? I don’t ever make a point to watch her or hear her. Has she said something that is considered racist or sexist? I know she’s said some things about Bush and the war in Iraq, but I don’t see the equivalency to Imus’ racist comments. Most people think it’s fair game to criticize a president (or a war) but racism is not tolerated nearly as much.
Also, look beyond the nappy headed ho comment, Imus has been denigrating blacks in general for a long time (imitating Jesse Jackson using ebonics, and so on). It also appears that Imus’s sidekicks are worse than him. But the captain of the ship has to go down with the ship, if you know what I mean.
[quote]Brad61 wrote:
What has Rosie said that has everyone mentioning her? I don’t ever make a point to watch her or hear her. Has she said something that is considered racist or sexist? I know she’s said some things about Bush and the war in Iraq, but I don’t see the equivalency to Imus’ racist comments. Most people think it’s fair game to criticize a president (or a war) but racism is not tolerated nearly as much.
…[/quote]
In addition to the hateful 9/11 conspiracy talk as well as her support for terrorists she was making fun of Asians recently.
Al Sharpton is a demagogue, hypocrite and publicity whore of the WORST kind.
He tends to only serve to anger and incense the white populace he tends to rale against, without helping a damn thing.
And guess who pays the price? The people who actually ARE hurt by prejudice and racism.
Mufasa[/quote]
I agree with Mufasa. If Al Sharpton was against racism then he should be asking that a bunch of black comedians apologize for calling white people ‘wonder bread, cracker, honkie’, etc. but apparently, he is only against racism against black people where it will futher his career.
The stuff that he does only breeds racism by putting it in the limelight and making people think “Oh yeah, we are different.”
Al Sharpton is a demagogue, hypocrite and publicity whore of the WORST kind.
He tends to only serve to anger and incense the white populace he tends to rale against, without helping a damn thing.
And guess who pays the price? The people who actually ARE hurt by prejudice and racism.
Mufasa
I agree with Mufasa. If Al Sharpton was against racism then he should be asking that a bunch of black comedians apologize for calling white people ‘wonder bread, cracker, honkie’, etc. but apparently, he is only against racism against black people where it will futher his career.
The stuff that he does only breeds racism by putting it in the limelight and making people think “Oh yeah, we are different.” [/quote]
On Sharpton’s show, Imus called himself an ‘old cracker’ and Sharpton called him on it.
Hmmm…apparently white entertainers like Imus have some sort of rules they have to follow but black entertainers can say whatever they want.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
Brad61 wrote:
I don’t see how they can fire Imus when Michael Savage doesn’t seem to be in any danger of losing his job. Savage is much more hateful, it’s not even close.
[quote]Marmadogg wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
Brad61 wrote:
I don’t see how they can fire Imus when Michael Savage doesn’t seem to be in any danger of losing his job. Savage is much more hateful, it’s not even close.
