Don Imus Still Under Fire for "Racially Charged" Comments
The heat is still on radio talk show host, Don Imus. According to WNBC.com: "Unimpressed by his on-air apology or corporate promises of a tighter leash, angry critics of nationally syndicated radio host Don Imus called Saturday for his dismissal over his racially charged comments about the mostly black Rutgers women's basketball team."
Video: Here's the clip of Imus uttering the now infamous "nappy-headed hos" on MSNBC.
Article Highlights:
* Al Sharpton wants Imus to resign
* Imus apologized on-air Friday and WFAN-AM promised to "monitor" his content
* National Association of Black Journalists wants Imus fired
* Angela Burt Murray of Essence magazine called comments "unacceptable"
Imus to Guest on Sharpton's Radio Show
Reverand Al Sharpton is one of the voices calling for Imus to be fired and Imus is scheduled to be on Sharpton's radio show Monday. Sharpton's radio program is generally heard middays to early afternoon in various markets. You can also hear Sharpton's show live at sharptontalk.net. (Right: Al Sharpton, Photo Credit: © Sharptalk.net)
Don Imus' morning radio show can be heard on the Internet at WFAN.com
What Happened On This Day in Radio History: April 9
Comments
I find it interesting that people liie Chris Rock call white people “crackers” all the time and he never gets called out for it… yet I’m suposed to care what a a shock jock like Imus says?
in fact, he called NASCAR fans “dumb crackers” just a few weeks ago on HBO… but THAT’s Ok?
sorry, but until the black communiuty deals with their own racial slurs, which are CONSTENT in the media… then I will not worry about Imus says
and just look who they have leading the charge.. Jesse “Hymoetown” Jackson and Al ” white interloper” Sharpton.
man, talk about the hypocrisy! … are they implying that only Black people have the right to use racial slurs?
they must be, because I heve NEVER seen nor heard them EVER talk about the all the anti white things one hears on BET and HBO Def Jam programs.
Gee, I wonder why that is?
What happened to Freedom Of Speech???? He has the right to joke about whatever he wants! If you take it personal…than too bad. No one can make jokes anymore. When he makes jokes about the whites… no one says anything!!!
When the blacks stop calling each other “nigger” and “ho” then some respect may come. Not until. Leave Imus alone. What he said was stupid and uncalled for and he’s apologized. Move on to important issues.
liberals and their politically correct Nazis killed free speech in the 90’s
Imus is an idiot and it WAS an offensive comment. However, Al Sharpton demanding his resignation is even more outrageous. Tawana Brawley, anyone? Does anyone remember the lives Sharpton ruined with his lies? And he has the audacity to stage a protest against Imus? Give me a break. Sharpton should have been in jail. If he were white, he would have been.
When Bryant Gumble is terminated after his racist remarks about the white atheletes at the Winter Olympics then and only then will I vote for Imus to be terminated. I will bet Al Sharpton or Essence magazine never once thought anything about those comments and they were not from someone like Imus whom no one listens to in the morning unless you want his sort of humor/distribe – but from some one respected in main stream journalism and sports like Gumble. Come on Rev. Al can we terminate Gumble? Or at least never hear from him again?
How unacceptable were Gumble’s comments – or the comments of some of the AA magazines when doing a story on Vanessa and her basketball husband and a white teenager asked for her autograph and he jumped at the kid (or so the magazine said) because “he had her back” -give me a break – had her back against a poor WHITE kid wanting her autograph? If she needs someone to have her back for a simple autograph then get out of the business-but of course this is not racist or unacceptable – be careful out there – others other than AA’s read your magazines. Give me a break and get a life. How about it Rev. Al. Incidently – I am from a minority. Thank you.
Don Imus and his wife have done more good in this world than all the complainers combined. Environmental issues, kids with cancer, bringing the
VA scandal to the viewers’ attention,
their fight for autistic kids (and I am
the grandmother of one), HE IS A GOOD
MAN!! If you’re offended by this program, that’s too bad. He made a
mistake, apologized, let it go. Why
don’t you start picking on Chris Rock
or any of those so-called comedic
geniuses for their shows? Because
they’re black or hispanic, that makes
a difference? Give me a break!!!!!
Imus is a nasty person. he talks about how much he does for the kids with cancer yet he blackmales companies into donating to his farm so he and hios left winger wife can have a place to go to when they retire payed for for by others. He is a raciest. no doubt about it . He never has anything good to say about anyone. I stopped listening years ago when he bad mouthed Clinton and Hillary all the time
Am I imagining this, or does the 1ST AMENDMENT OF OUR US CONSTITUTION GUARANTEE FREEDOM OF SPEECH!? Black people call each other “niggas” all the time, and they call white people “crackers”, but no, that doesn’t start controversy. Give me a break—Imus is a good man and he’s done a lot of good for people around the world. READ THE CONSTITUTION, CRITICS. And you too, George Bush.
Imus and his wife has been doing some wonderful things for children and should be left alone for this one remark, which he has apologized for…
Sharpton should be in jail and if a white person had done the things he has, they would be in jail.
Leave Imus alone.
Is this the same Rev. Sharpton who created Tawana Brawley? Had her smeared with racial epithets and feces just to create an issue into which he could then posture himself as an activist for the poor girl, and then all black Americans? If anyone cares what Sharpton thinks, they are either crazy or as much a one-issue bigoted liar as he is. Until the first amendment is repealed, I will defend the right of Imus or anyone else to say what they wish, especially if it is patently intended as a joke, or maybe even worse, a marketing tool. Calm down, America. The constitution does not give you a right not to be offended.
He does and continues to do, many wonderful things for sick children, charities, etc. Yes, he said something very inappropriate and hurtful; should he be fired for it? Should we stone Jesse Jackson for having an out of wedlock child? And Al Sharpton — where is HE when blacks slam white people? You NEVER hear his big mouth then. Try making the RIGHT point Al and we’ll all listen to you, not just when Whitie slams blacks. I’m tired of this – Imus has apologized profusely, what the heck more can he do? Get over yourself and try cleaning up your image, you phoney.
Al Sharpton needs to get off his “high” horse, so the man said a racial comment… big deal, that team is full of nappy headed hos. Sharpton is just pissed because something ELSE happened to the black folks… Black people have used the “racist card” too many times. Sharpton is an idiot, and as one person mentioned, he is a hypocrit as with the examples of chris rock… It’s okay for blacks to be racist in the eyes of sharpie sharpton, but for whites. nooooo thats unethical. Didn’t one black man get shot for speaking his mind in public? MLK was it? Where’s his shooter now? seems we need him again.
c’mon, please give the man a break…we all have so many reasons to focus on the things we have in common, one of them being the fact that all races and segments of society get a poke from someone in jest on a regular basis… i am a crippled ol white white woman and you can imagine the jokes i have heard directed my way.. the difference is that i know they are said in jest and i don’t own the comments…sure Imus taLKS from the cuff, but he also wears his heart on his sleeve.. the man has a heart as big as NY…his producers the article mentioned also make make fun of hulk hogan… and who in the sane world takes that for anything but a joke..he even shoots a few darts at Trump..his friend…true that imus can be gruff in his comments, but that is his schtick..it really is about time people stop giving more power to words than they would ever have without the thin-skinned reactions…if white women started raisin hell over all the jokes we are the brunt of, we would have some kinda war on our hands..and dave chappelle and carlos mencia would be fired and we would miss out on a lot of chances to laugh in life…and even miss out on the unparalled wisdom of maya angelou, who has plenty of negative observations to make about the white race, yet i doubt that she would fall under the catagory of a true racist…shake it off, laugh it up and don’t take yourselves so seriously…teri ells, baytown texas
What bunch of CRAP get a life wear ear plugs but please someone ask AL Sharpton to shut up.
First off, I am not defending Imus’s right to say what he said, he has that, but that in no way makes it right to say it. When we all get off our PC couches and realize that wrong is wrong, there wouldnt be a need to defend what he or Al Sharpton say. As far as chris rock. He is a COMEDIAN, not a political commentator as Imus claims to be. Furthermore, stop whining about al sharpton “showing up” at any and every event. If you are offended by something he says then YOU should show up to protest his actions and stop waiting 4 someone else to do it 4 u! And 4 those of you who try and defend Imus’s “good deeds”, remember, hitler thought he was doing a good deed too….How’d that turn out?? Whether he loses his job or not, he should be punished by his employee, and then and only then given a second(which by now is more like 50th) chance. By the way…how many of you could get away with saying something so vulgar at your job with your bosses hearing that and expect to plead the “free speech” line. P.S. Free speech only works when the government is trying to shut you down… not a private employee.
I have to honestly say, I feel this whole outcry against Imus is overkill. Why? Simply put, “nappy hair” is not, IMO, an insult to people of African American descent. It is merely an observation. If you go on Amazon.com you will find a variety of books about “Nappy Hair.” (There is one book in particular, a children’s book, called “Nappy Hair” written by an African American woman who remembered growing up with hair that was “different.” We are not offended in the least when a person of African American descent uses the term, but Dom Imus is vilified and chastised for doing the same. How is this not a form of discrimination in and of itself??
Now, the “ho’s” comment was exceptionally rude at best, but let’s face it..The term “ho” is often over-utilized in our society. It is a slang term, and thrown around with reckless abandon. I hear everyone from teenagers to adult professionals use this term, usually in jest. That doesn’t make it right, but it’s not the horribly offensive term it is being portrayed as in this particular case.
I think it is really troubling when we as a society become so “trigger happy” that we are ready to shoot down anyone in the public eye who commits a faux pas. Imus showed poor judgement and lacked sensitivity in his statement. But let’s not forget the good he has done and continues to do for society.
As for Al Sharpton, I have 2 words: TAWANA BRAWLEY. He’s well known for his grandstanding, attention seeking behavior. This is no exception. He doesn’t seem to care if his “cause” has any merit or not. As long as he is in the public eye, he’s happy. Given his record, how does anyone even take him seriously?
I have been listening to IMUS for 16 years (and I’m only 30)… For anyone to think THIS bad hasn’t listened! This was mild compared to some of the day to day observations, rants and monologues on that show. It just happens that this one comment touched a nerve – while all the other comments weren’t ’cause worthy’. I’m surprised he apologized. There is NO WAY he gets fired, its all about money and he makes radio stations and advertisers A LOT of money. I wish people would put all of this energy into doing some good (kinda like IMUS does). No one has ever thought he’s a saint (or even nice) but this issue is a waste of time.
A British official once told former Maine Senator George Mitchell that Northern Ireland was the only place where someone would drive a hundred miles out of his way to be offended. I think that person is wrong. It’s right here in the USA. Sharpton and Jesse Jackson realize that they can leverage real or imagined slights by pushing guilt trips on whites and thus demand more favors, political power, “reparations”, air time, etc. I’m sure Sharpton, et al will soon approach MSNBC and WFAN for reparations for Imus’ remarks
I’m shocked that MSNBC is suspending Imus for two weeks. At least they’re waiting until after the radiothon this week.
I have watched Don Imus for years and he is anything but racist. He pokes fun at everybody, including himself.
Are you aware that Imus has helped hundreds of sick black children for years at his ranch? Are you aware that he has raised more funds for sickle cell research than almost anyone else?
I would be more disturbed by Imus’ comments if I did not regularly hear the same comments from numerous black rap artists and stand-up comedians. In fact they say worse things about their own race.
Personally, I don’t think it helps eliminate racism in America when at every chance Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson go on the airwaves, hold protests and call for people to be fired. There are much more reasonable spokespersons for black people. Former representative Harold Ford comes to mind, as does Barack Obama. Obama has found a way to cross all racial barriers and speak to all Americans.
Imus said it right. He is a good person who said something bad. Is it now beyond us to accept anyone’s apology? If every white person or black person who ever said something wrong about the other race were to be fired, we’d have half the country out of work.
Come on though. Do you call some young college basketball players hos and that is supposed to be funny? It would be one thing if it was the WNBA (to someone’s point about Chris Rock and the NASCAR folks – at least he is an adult talking and poking fun at other adults) but some aspiring young college women, hardly 22 years old? Hoes? I don’t care if you are black, white, asian or whatever. What woman deserves to be called a ho unless she really is selling herself or making sex videos for public consumption like some of the majority celebrity females out there…Give me a break. Most people on this list would probably be ready to fight if someone called their daughter a ho to the world.
He calls his own wife a ho! Its a comedy show that makes fun of everyone and every type of person. I understand some people don’t think its funy – but he (and many otehr shows) make MUCH worse statements everyday that don’t get this kind of attention. Go one wfan.com and listent o some of the clips from the past month… and these are the tame ones.
It’s obvious to me that he has no respect for women. He knows nothing about these players and their coach. But yet he can call them unforgivable names. He has gotten away with this kind of comments for way too long. Fire him and set a standard. If he is not fired he will know that he can get away with saying anything he wants to and no one will stop him.Take him off the air. I will not watch or listen to your programming unless he is fired!!!!!
Imus helps children with cancer.
If you are against Imus, then
you love kids getting cancer without a cure.
Al Sharpton should be in jail for what he did with the Tawana Brawley trial.
“Whitey raped her, whitey raped her”…
and then she admitted lying about it.
Sharpton never apologized to the man…
He can call his wife a ho if he wants to. That speaks to her choice in a mate. The women on the team are showing more maturity than he does. Also…ummm just because a white person helps minorities doesn’t make NOT a racist. Check your history books. Slave honors sure did help “light skinned slaves” with so called “good” jobs in the house while whipping and beating up “darker slaves” Just like teachers and preachers “help” people but also abuse children. This is not some new concept. If you are using his cancer charity to absolve him or eliminate him from even having the remote chance of being a “racist” then you might as well say that someone who teaches 17 years olds and then sleeps with one “may not be” a statuatory rapist.
Clearly upset here…cause that previous remark is riddled with mistakes..and I think statuatory is kids under 16..but you get my point..Stop defending this man. Yes he made a mistake, but it’s a bad/ugly one. Stop using his charity as like some “get out of racism free” card. This is crazy. As for Sharpton…I don’t think he’s an angel, but arguing his issues past and present is not the point to me right now.
Just imagine, again, if this was your daughter, niece or wife and tell me in a post that “you would just get over it” right away if somebody called them a “ho” while they were doing something they loved, like these girls were doing playing in a basketball game. Tell me you’d go up to them in a crowd and want to hug them or shake their hand. Seriously..think beyond black and white people.
This whole matter is a farce … I am NOT an IMUS fan .. BUT! .. he said an assinine thing and has appologized .. the thing that IRKS AND ANGERFS me here ALL the people jumping in here to further their own egos and purposes like a flock of ugly vultures … it IS also by MOST this has supposedly “offended” … that there is MUCH WORSE language and ill intent exhibited to women and racial degredation heaped on our impressionable youth via our MUSIC INDUSTRY!!! .. and I am speaking MOSTLY of RAP music and it’s content .. it is much more deplorable in it’s damage .. WHY??? are not the RECORD companies pressured to fire these culprits??? … to not do so now would be one-sided AND hypocritical.
I hope this starts us to look hard at THIS issue .. which I also feel in some way may have even spawned Imus attempt at bad humor.
It just proves that there is a double standard in society. Forget about free speach it does not exist anymore, nor does forgiveness. I’am so sick of black people walking around with attitudes, talking about their own women as ho’s, calling white people crackers, and trailer trash but that is okay. All of you people in the media are hypocrites your the same type of people that are quick to call blonde people trailer trash.
If girls, and women in rap video’s wear more clothing maybe we would not be having these issues.
I never watch CBS screw them Imus can work for me.
I wounder what the outcome would have been if a black guy said the comment. I know YOUR SUSPENDED! He would probably just get a slap on the hand, and still have a job. They are lazy,people should feel sorry for them and need an excuse for everything.
I agree that it was wrong to say, but for him to be fired over it is wrong. Be aware that free speach no longer exists as long as your views match everyone elses. If the media thinks this will change peoples views they are fooling themselves. Have you forgotten what happened in hurricane Katrina it is apparent that many people in government do not see blacks in a good light either.
Well it must be so bad that they had to fire him because, I’am sure they did not want to loose money.