Imes

[Digs]

After the recent fall out and firing of Imes from CBS, I was wondering what the general consensus was on his comment. For those who aren't familiar (how can you not be at this point?), Don Imes said "nappy headed hoes" when a discussion about the Rutgers' lady basketball team was going on. Naturally, as if on cue, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton made this their personal crusade.

 

My opinion is that nothing he said can be construed as being racist. It is degrading to women, particularly the Rutgers' female basketball team who were targeted, but not grounds for firing a long-standing "shock jock" radio host. To further agitate me, Jesse Jackson appeared on Chicago-based 670 The Score sports talk radio today and gave a 30 minute interview. In this interview, Jackson went on record saying that all forms of racial, gender, and religious degradation should be frowned upon. Mike North, the host of The Score's morning show, asked the question "If you're so intent on seeing cultural and racial equality, where are you when a white kid gets beat up by three black kids?" Jesse Jackson dodged the question. He, Jesse Jackson, also said that his organization is multi-cultural, ethnic, and religious. When Jesse Jackson's organization held protests, his gathering was predominantly, if not entirely, black and held "We shall overcome" signs with Martin Luther King Jr.'s picture on them: hardly a "cultural and ethnic" diverse message.

 

To add salt to the wound, Jesse Jackson also said in the interview that "nappy headed" is not a racially driven statement. So then why was Imes fired? Was it for openly targeting Rutgers' female basketball players and saying they were "hoes?" Well, Imes co-host called them "hardcore hoes" moments before Imes made his statement ,yet is not part of the eye-of-the-storm in this controversy and continues to be employed by CBS. So, if Jesse Jackson said that Imes's comment of "nappy headed" isn't racially derogatory, and other people on the exact same show used the word "hoes" but didn't lose their job, what exactly about Imes's comment was deserving of being fired?

 

To be honest, I think he was made out to be the scapegoat by racist black people such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson despite Jackson's claims that this isn't solely a racial issue. Where are these men when every single rap cd comes out degrading women? Where are these men when, as Mike North questioned, white kids are beat up by black kids? Where are these men when movies like "White Chicks" are put into our mainstream media culture and stereotype a segment of our community (can you imagine the uproar over a movie called "Black Chicks"?) Where are these men when Micheal Irvin said on a national televised football game that Tony Romo couldn't possibly be 100% white because he was too athletic and that "one of his ancestors must have got it on with a slave."? Where are they when Mel Gibson has a melt down and degrades Jewish people? It's nothing short of hypocrisy and blatant lies by some of the most racist people in America - namely Jesse Jackson.

 

To put it bluntly, this is just a long-winded "I hate ASSS" post, but I'd be interested in reading what other people have to say.

[NBVegita]

I"ve been involved in a big post about this in another forum so I will just copy my first post on that forum:

 

Each day I hate the people of America more and more. And its not Don Imus I hate. He used the phrase "nappy-headed hos" on the radio. Not that black rappers haven't been doing this for a decade, and selling billions of albums with the same message. But now because a white man says it, is the the end of the world?

 

You have a shock radio host, who has said worse things on the air before, who is now being torn to shreds because of this singular comment? What ever did happen to our freedom of speech? I'm sick and tired of this double standard in society. Black Americans can use these terms, but they turn something that would have stayed relatively small, into a national conflict. If they had just let his comment go we would see nothing on national tv, nor by now would it be in our news papers. He has insulted just about every orientation, gender and race on his show, so what makes the black Americans so much more delicate than the rest?

 

The NAACP is constantly trying to fight for those hypocritical "equal but separate" rights. And I'm really sick and tired of hearing "African American". Unless you are a native born African who has come to America and received citizenship you are a !@#$%^&*ing American. Plain and simple.

 

In short:

 

If I owned a radio station, I'd give the man a job.

[Digs]

I agree with a lot of what you said Vegita.

 

It's almost sickening to see how overly sensitive about menial matters we, as a society, have become. I saw today that the Rutgers' ladies basketball team accepted the apology from Imes through a statement by their coach. In the statement, they said that accepting the apology was the first step to forgiving Imes and part of the healing process which will take time. THE HEALING PROCESS? The guy called them "nappy headed hoes" for crying out loud - he didn't kill their dog or punch them in the face. A better statement would have been "Who !@#$%^&*ing cares what Don Imes says?" if any of the Rutgers female basketball team even knew who Don Imes was to begin with. If they didn't know who he was, then "Who the !@#$%^&* is Don Imes?" would have been perfectly acceptable. Imes is getting more attention now than he's had for the last 15 years combined. No one gave a !@#$%^&* about him in the past, but suddenly everyone is butt hurt over something he said to his .01% share of the audience for his radio time slot like he's the most influential person in America and we are all just wringing our hands together while waiting for his next gem of wisdom.

 

Here's a good one: South Park has much more of an impact on society than Don !@#$%^&*ing Imes and they did an entire show based around the word "!@#$%^&*" and used it freely. While on Real Time with Bill Maher, Al Sharpton had the balls to say that Imes' words offended him more than that South Park episode because Don Imes wasn't doing it in the name of comedy like many of the questionable topics on South Park are. Bill Maher asked Mr. Sharpton if he was too sensitive to words and Al answered with "Bill, you've already used 2 homophobic jokes and I haven't walked out...yet" to prove that he wasn't overly sensitive. Maher replied with "I didn't even know you were gay" then cut the feed to Al Sharpton and introduced his next guests. Bill Maher wins.

 

What ever happened to the sticks-and-stones mentality? The last time I got upset about something someone said about me I was wearing pajamas with the feet on them and wanted to grow up and be a bald eagle. I'm tired of our nation being so enamored with pussies who aren't grown up enough to shrug off what someone has to say. Now 60 minutes wants to run a show about the lengthy history Don Imes has of using racist and sexist jokes that will be aired during prime time, no doubt. You know who else has a long history of racism? Jesse Jackson. Where is his national prime time chastising?

 

Not everyone in this country is a victim. Too many just think they are.

[SeVeR]

I worked for the Rutgers Physics department last year and still receive staff emails. In my opinion the use of emotional language by the Rutgers President is more shocking than the original remarks:

Members of the Rutgers Community:

 

Last week our university family was focused on celebrating the amazing performance of our Scarlet Knights women's basketball team in the NCAA tournament. The team brought pride and excitement to our university and captured the hearts of people across the state and the nation. Our student-athletes and their coach deserved to feel immensely proud of what they had just accomplished, but they had that moment stolen away by the racist, sexist remarks of radio personality Don Imus and his colleagues.

 

Mr. Imus' shocking comments last week were despicable and deeply hurtful to our students, our coach, and their families. They were also offensive to every member of the Rutgers community, as well as to people across the nation. Racism and sexism have no place in our society and are completely at odds with our values as a university that celebrates diversity and civility.

 

As a university, our focus is on the best interests of the student-athletes and on supporting their coaches and families. I met with the coach and team members Monday morning to get a sense of how they are feeling and what their wishes are. I have also been in touch with their parents.

 

Ten remarkable young women have had to deal with a completely undeserved and very personal shock. What should be a feeling of euphoria has turned to one of anguish. I know you join me in warmly embracing this team of student-athletes in the hope that our support will help them through this painful moment in their lives.

 

Many at Rutgers have asked or have been asked about this matter and are looking for information on our position. The University's position, including points from statements we have issued since last Thursday, is the following:

 

* These 10 young women, members of the Rutgers family, have been harmed by the comments made by Mr. Imus and his colleagues. Our first priority is looking after the interests of our students and supporting the team.

 

* It is unconscionable for anyone to use the airways to utter such disgraceful, disgusting and racist remarks and to show such disregard for the dignity of human beings who have accomplished so much and deserve great credit. The comments by Mr. Imus have been extremely hurtful not only to the members of the Rutgers basketball team and their families but also to people across the nation.

 

* We are very proud of Coach C. Vivian Stringer and the talented young women who comprise the Rutgers women's basketball team. These student-athletes have worked extremely hard on and off the basketball court. They have been and continue to be outstanding amb!@#$%^&*adors for Rutgers.

 

* Mr. Imus has asked to meet directly with Coach Stringer and the players. We have shared that request with the coach and members of the team, and it is their decision whether to honor the request. We will respect their wishes, whatever they decide.

 

As noted above, Coach Stringer, athletic director Bob Mulcahy, and I have issued statements on the matter over the past several days, and all can be found on a link from the Rutgers home page: www.rutgers.edu. We will continue to speak out and to make clear that the university will not tolerate such uncivil, irresponsible, and offensive behavior. We stand behind our team and are deeply proud of these exceptional Rutgers students.

 

Richard L. McCormick

President

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

 

Where was the denunciation of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin when he asked for a chocolate city? He even got elected. Why is there a black history month when all this does is actively discriminate against non-blacks?

 

It's the emphasis of our differences that widens the gap. Anything that emphasises the difference between blacks and whites or which treats one group differently, even if its a celebration, reinforces racism. We should be ignoring those differences and treating everyone the same, thats what equality is.

[Aileron]

I can't say much that hasn't already been said here.

 

The NAACP has been overboard since the 90s. Before they wanted equality, now they wish to set themselves apart. About 40 years after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, I can get on the bus and all the black people will be sitting in the back ANYWAY. Its not like anyone is forcing them back there. Apparently, they simply don't want to move up towards the front of the bus.

 

I keep seeing commercials about how is "five times tougher" for a black man to get through college. Yeah right! Do they honestly think its easier for us white people? Its a pain in the !@#$%^&* for ANYONE to get through college.

 

But overall, these protestors seem to have forgotten what racial discrimination is. Racial discrimination is having a mob stand outside a voting booth and preventing minorities from voting. Racial discrimination is not hiring a QUALIFIED candidate because the person is a minority. Racial discrimination is using a mob to scare minority families out of a town.

 

Now they have gone overboard into psychobabble. Saying "If you are walking alone at night and are afraid of a group of 5 black people, you are racist subconsciously." Okay, first off, my father and his father before him have been !@#$%^&*aulted by black druggies for cash. At this point, I don't consider it "racism", I consider it "learning from my forefathers' mistakes". If the NAACP disagrees with me, then I suggest they get their "brothers" to obey the law, stop doing drugs, and get a !@#$%^&*ing job.

 

Secondly, people can't control their subconcious. Subconsciously, Frued claims that people want to have sex with their parents. The desires to commit murder, rape, arson, and baby-!@#$%^&*ing are all in every person on a subconcious level. The most a person can do is make sure that those subconcious desires don't carry over into their actions. If you have done that, then you shouldn't feel guilty.

 

Besides, its not racist if your "subconcious feeling" goes away in other situations. For instance, I don't get that feeling from co-workers (who have a job), or my college room-mate (doesn't have a job yet, but does have a career). I only attach it to hoodlums prowling the streets. Thus, scientifically my "subconcious feeling" applies to hoodlums rather than a certain race.

 

Face it, sometime 30 years ago the NAACP had achieved all the victory it needed. However, instead of disband and move on to other issues, the organisation decided to mutate into some pathetic organisation that will search for opportunities for handouts or settlements.

 

I mean, compaire it to Women's Rights organisations. There really aren't many prominant organisations for women's rights, but right now there are lots of women in college and professional careers. When they got in, they didn't seek to "distinguish themselves" by anything other than performance, didn't gripe about "cultural differences", and didn't give into paranoid delusions that people were still trying to hold them down. They just got in, did the work within the system provided, and for the most part earned what they deserved for their effort.

 

Granted, I'm painting a rosy picture. In reality there was still some small segregation, but they created small organisations to deal with them. Point being was that they didn't continue to sit in the position they were before and whine, nor do they have a large national organsation wander around the country looking for people to sue.

[rootbear75]

I keep seeing commercials about how is "five times tougher" for a black man to get through college. Yeah right! Do they honestly think its easier for us white people? Its a pain in the !@#$%^&* for ANYONE to get through college.

heh.. its actually easier to get them thru college because all of the colleges want diversity in their populations. Dont give a !@#$%^&* about good grades, noooo, we must have diversity. and with all the "black" scholarships around now, its probably harder for a white person to get into college AND pay for it too.

 

Now they have gone overboard into psychobabble. Saying "If you are walking alone at night and are afraid of a group of 5 black people, you are racist subconsciously."

Bull !@#$%^&*.. it definantly as !@#$%^&* not racism... ITS STATISTICS..

Edited April 15, 2007 by rootbear75

[Slingblade]

This is such a non-issue comment I cant believe the fallout from it. In no instance did his comments point to any ethnicity, race or creed. South Park and even Dave Chappelle have made more jokes about race and nothing seems to come of it.

 

To have Sharpton and Jackson, the 2 biggest racist hypocritical pieces of !@#$%^&* to ever walk the face of the earth, pop up like gophers and be instantly "Outraged" at the comments is just ridiculous. Why arent they out protesting Rap albums? Seems to be a lot of racism, !@#$%^&* talking and Ho' smackin going on on them.

These 2 turds dont want racial harmony, because if there was they would out of a job and you can BET they dont want that. I cant wait until somebody who works for them quits and writes a book spilling about their charades and what a farce they really are.

 

Where were these 2 clowns when only a few days later that fat narcissistic !@#$%^&* Oprah was on TV talking about how "have you ever been to a party and theres always one White Guy who just cant dance?" Wheres the fallout from that? Seems a little more racist than the comments Don made if you ask me, and yet nothing is said. Then again thats Oprah, the sun seems to shine out her fat !@#$%^&*.

 

Flame on.....

[Greased_Lightning]

*claps for all the normal-thinking people who've posted on this threat*