2008 Woodie Awards
Imus confess that the double standard is 'ludacris'
Joe Caporoso
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: Op/Ed
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Congratulations Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, you did it. You helped put enough pressure on MSNBC and CBS, along with the sponsors to get Don Imus fired. Yet, you've solved absolutely nothing. Don't get me wrong. Referring to the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team as "nappy-headed hos," was racist, sexist and, above all, idiotic. The remark is insulting to African-Americans and, beyond that, to any woman in general. The worst part of the remark, however, was who it was directed at. He took aim at a team full of well-educated, student athletes who had just made their home state proud by having their best season in school history. They didn't deserve anything but compliments for their achievements.
What does firing Don Imus accomplish? The man made a stupid comment and has a history of making them. Yet, Imus's history wasn't checkered enough to keep him out of the Radio Hall of Fame. His history includes raising millions upon millions of dollars for the cause of Autism, SIDS and U.S. Veterans. His philanthropic history includes donating the money for a children's hospital in Hackensack, New Jersey. Don Imus isn't a racist. I've listened to Don Imus's unrelenting support for Senator Harold Ford from Tennessee, who is African-American. I've heard him take his back in the unfair and racist campaign brought against him in his bid for election by supporters of his then opponent, Bob Corker. There are plenty of more racist people still on the airwaves, who just didn't happen to slip up and make such an inflammatory remark. Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly certainly come to mind.
The two week suspension for Imus should have stood. Let him take his beating in public opinion, and then let the man get back to work after being torn apart. It would have been a safe bet that there wouldn't have been anymore racist, sexist comments on his show. He would have simply continued his charity work. Maybe Sharpton and Jackson should stop fighting the easy fight against an angry, old man who had outraged millions of people, and fight the real battle. The term Don Imus said on air wasn't much compared to a 50 Cent lyric or typical rap CD for that matter. It didn't compare to all of the sexism present on MTV and BET. If Sharpton and Jackson want credibility, let them attack people who say "ho" 28 times in a single song and have never raised a dime for charity. Firing Imus has accomplished nothing. You effectively stopped one racist comment every five years by firing Imus. No redemption or second chance is senseless. Imus took his beating, sincerely apologized, and met with the Rutgers Team, who has forgiven him.
What does firing Don Imus accomplish? The man made a stupid comment and has a history of making them. Yet, Imus's history wasn't checkered enough to keep him out of the Radio Hall of Fame. His history includes raising millions upon millions of dollars for the cause of Autism, SIDS and U.S. Veterans. His philanthropic history includes donating the money for a children's hospital in Hackensack, New Jersey. Don Imus isn't a racist. I've listened to Don Imus's unrelenting support for Senator Harold Ford from Tennessee, who is African-American. I've heard him take his back in the unfair and racist campaign brought against him in his bid for election by supporters of his then opponent, Bob Corker. There are plenty of more racist people still on the airwaves, who just didn't happen to slip up and make such an inflammatory remark. Rush Limbaugh and Bill O'Reilly certainly come to mind.
The two week suspension for Imus should have stood. Let him take his beating in public opinion, and then let the man get back to work after being torn apart. It would have been a safe bet that there wouldn't have been anymore racist, sexist comments on his show. He would have simply continued his charity work. Maybe Sharpton and Jackson should stop fighting the easy fight against an angry, old man who had outraged millions of people, and fight the real battle. The term Don Imus said on air wasn't much compared to a 50 Cent lyric or typical rap CD for that matter. It didn't compare to all of the sexism present on MTV and BET. If Sharpton and Jackson want credibility, let them attack people who say "ho" 28 times in a single song and have never raised a dime for charity. Firing Imus has accomplished nothing. You effectively stopped one racist comment every five years by firing Imus. No redemption or second chance is senseless. Imus took his beating, sincerely apologized, and met with the Rutgers Team, who has forgiven him.