Don Imus fired by CBS over "racist/sexist" comments **Updated**

[will889]

All of us have things that can be made fun of. That's just the truth of it, and unless you really feel that someone is particularly singling you out with utmost hatred I say just let it go and go on with your life. Get some sunshine. Fix a computer. Put together a swingset for your children. Do your taxes (creatively). Write some poetry. Support our troops in Iraq. skip over all of Prof-Johns posts because he's a mindless NEOCON-BOT ....

Oh wait ... should AT ban me for saying that he's a NEOCON (not that it's really true anyway)?

Uh oh. I think even Prof-John deserves some slack, don't you?

 

[NFS4]

What gets me is that everyone is calling these women "kids" and acts like they can't defend themselves. They act as if they don't have a mind of their own and can't speak for themselves. Sharpton and Jackson didn't need to jump on the bandwagon and be a mouthpiece for these WOMEN. They are of college age. They are smart, intelligent and obviously had the goods to make into college. LET THEM SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

Imus only owed an apology to those girls. Not to Sharpton, not to the entire black community, not the United States. He owed that apology to those girls. And it should have been THEIR decision whether to accept it or not.

What Imus said was pretty stupid, but if he felt that he did something wrong and that he offended those WOMEN, then he should have made every effort to get in contact with each and every one of those girls and apologized by phone. Screw everyone else... it's not their problem.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: NFS4
What gets me is that everyone is calling these women "kids" and acts like they can't defend themselves. They act as if they don't have a mind of their own and can't speak for themselves. Sharpton and Jackson didn't need to jump on the bandwagon and be a mouthpiece for these WOMEN. They are of college age. They are smart, intelligent and obviously had the goods to make into college. LET THEM SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

Imus only owed an apology to those girls. Not to Sharpton, not to the entire black community, not the United States. He owed that apology to those girls. And it should have been THEIR decision whether to accept it or not.

What Imus said was pretty stupid, but if he felt that he did something wrong and that he offended those WOMEN, then he should have made every effort to get in contact with each and every one of those girls and apologized by phone. Screw everyone else... it's not their problem.

He's been trying, but they wont sit down with him or take his calls. Probably as instructed by their lawyers - if theyre going to sue, accepting or even listening to an apology isnt going to help their case.

It's just shocking to me in this day and age that you can actually sue someone (and win) for hurting your feelings.

Honestly, I have my doubts that sharpton or jackson even consulted these girls before going on their media rampage...now theyre just martyrs for "the cause", swept up into it. I havent heard a peep out of their mouths....they've been silent.

Sorry, but Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are not going to be the "leaders" to bring the "black people" up out from oppression. Witch hunters are not good role models.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

Those are the words of a leader. Not a witch hunter or a victim.

And its sad to see such a perversion of that former dream nowadays. A dream which has been realized for quite a few people, and I'd really really hate for it to slip back into intolerance (over intolerance, of all things).

 

[will889]

True NFS4, but anyone can call me a cracker-whitey and they don't have to apologize to me. I might laugh with them

I think the reason for the need for apologies was because it went over national airways, and obviously every sensitive oriented group was immediately dialed up for media show circus. It was pretty stupid of Imus to say it in his show, but definitely not firing worthy in my opinion. Maybe suspension worthy, and maybe the equivalent of a dire warning for possible firing if said again, but past that -- what's going on now is just a media show to save face for corporations that have grown afraid of the media backlash for racial insensitivity.

 

[michaels]

Ok what happened to the whole forgiveness thing in Christianity? And Jackson and Al are supposed to be ministerS! How many shady things have each of them been involved iwth? Why are they not attacking black radio hosts who I am sure say much worse about Blacks. Where are White activists demanding equal treatment?

 

[iskim86]

america: the only country in the world where the minority groups have more power.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: iskim86
america: the only country in the world where the minority groups have more power.

South Africa?

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: iskim86
america: the only country in the world where the minority groups have more power.

Lets not kid ourselves...white people still have FAR more power than any "minority". Thats slowly changing, but it'll be a while until us whities hold our own civil right rallies.

 

[danielackerman]

f'in bs. free speech must live. no double standards. if its not ok for a white man to be openly racist and segragist, it should not be ok for any other race to do so either.

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: Chris

Originally posted by: Injury
You obviously have no sense of decency and much less respect for women than I do. Sorry that your neanderthal mind can't handle that.

I actually have more respect for women than you do. You seem to think that they are tools who need defending from the boogiemen people like Reverend Al create, because they can't think for themselves. I know they have a mind of their own and are intelligent enough to discern between a joke in poor taste and a proper racial/gender insult.

Are you even black as your avatar suggests? My guess is that you're one of those white Berkley types who "feels black people's pain" and is compelled to jump in the fray in behalf of them when in fact their outlook probably does not match what the media would have you believe, as people like NFS4 and Dracos have proven in this thread.

Laff.

At what point did I state my race, and at what point did I claim that Imus's comments were racial? Right, I didn't. The WHOLE TIME I've been discussing how calling a female a "ho" is not acceptable. Why don't you stop making up what you wish I said to fuel your pithy and dim-witted arguments and start backing up your claims. You're worse than Imus with baseless accusations and untrue statements.

The facts I have made clear are as follows: I feel that calling a girl a "ho" is disrespectful.
Yeah, that's it.
Just in case you need to kn ow, though...

Yes, this whole thing went way to far, yes I think it was ridiculous to fire him over it, yes I think that Sharpton is a hypocrite... but who isn't? Yes, I think there are more important things to deal with, no, I do not believe that the word "ho" is mainstream, just because rappers use it doesn't change anything.

There, now comment.

Your argument skills = suck.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Awesome, so he's officially jobless now. I'm actually speechless. Sometimes I hate this ****** country so much.

Racism is not "cool" in America anymore. The advertisors, network, and consumers have spoken. If you don't like the way this capitalist democracy works, you are free to leave.

 

[QueBert]

Originally posted by: Chris

Originally posted by: Stifko
"nappy" was coupled with "hoe." nothing is wrong with nappy by itself.

black people have nappy and kinky hair. the issue is more with hoe than nappy.

those students are not hoes, napppy headed or otherwise.

Oh please. The word "ho" is so overused it's lost any sort of meaning whatsoever. Where is Sharpton when the flavor of the month rapper is rapping about bitches and hos on prime time TRL? Oh that's right, black people are allowed call women bitches and whores, because you know, black women could only portray prostitutes on TV until recently :roll:

When did The Jeffersons air? 32 years ago?

Sharpton has spoken out again what SOME rappers say (not all rap is hoe, b@tch etc) but he can't ever win that battle. Rap, weather you love it or hate it to death has too much power and money for Sharpton or anyone else to really make a dent in.

How much money does a 50 Cent make for Interscope records? 10's of millions a year. Imus on the other hand has almost no power.

 

[Alex]

a bit of an exaggeration there

 

[Number1]

I fondamentaly disagree with anybody who can't see that his remarks where in fact racist.

Imus himslef qualified his own remarks as vile.

Imus got what he deserve.

Good ridance.

 

[Jadow]

apparently, NAPPY is now the most offensive word ever!

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Jadow
apparently, NAPPY is now the most offensive word ever!

I demand all radio stations and anybody even remotely involved with the music industry/advertisers to fight the band Nappy Roots.

I was pulling some weeds today and the roots are quite upset at being called nappy. Although truthfully, they were some nappy roots. I just can't call them that or they don't grow in how much hurt they face. Poor nappy roots.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Jadow
apparently, NAPPY is now the most offensive word ever!

I'm offended just from seeing you type it.

 

[jpeyton]

Stop blaming CBS and MSNBC. Imus made the remarks, and all his big-money advertisers and guests jumped ship.

You think they were going to produce his show for free?

 

[brandonbull]

Originally posted by: Number1
I fondamentaly disagree with anybody who can't see that his remarks where in fact racist.

Imus himslef qualified his own remarks as vile.

Imus got what he deserve.

Good ridance.

And thinking like this is turning the US into Amerika where only blacks can say what ever they wish and not feel the need for accountability.

I hope Sharpton and Jackson enjoy their 15 minutes of power because I'm tired of it and I'm sure a grow amount of whiteys are too.

 

[brandonbull]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Stop blaming CBS and MSNBC. Imus made the remarks, and all his big-money advertisers and guests jumped ship.

You think they were going to produce his show for free?

ESPN had to make the "story of the century" out of this. I'm sure they won't be running the Duke Lacrosse players' story into the ground now that they had ALL CHARGES DROPPED.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: brandonbull

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Stop blaming CBS and MSNBC. Imus made the remarks, and all his big-money advertisers and guests jumped ship.

You think they were going to produce his show for free?

ESPN had to make the "story of the century" out of this. I'm sure they won't be running the Duke Lacrosse players' story into the ground now that they had ALL CHARGES DROPPED.

Remember this golden rule. perception is reality

Sorry for such a short post, but really is the reason for most of this nonsense. Sharpton and his other racist ilks have mastered this concept.

 

[Gunslinger08]

Here are my thoughts:
Since when did "nappy ho" become a racist remark? It's not tactful, but it's definitely not racist. There are absolutely white girls that I would classify as "nappy ho". Just because the remarks were directed towards girls who are black doesn't make it racist. Blacks are only hurting themselves by being so hypersensitive.

 

[BrokenVisage]

Originally posted by: Jadow
apparently, NAPPY is now the most offensive word ever!

BAN!

But seriously, it must something special if he can go 17 years making derogatory comments and this is the one that ultimately gets him fired. I'd like to hear what he said about the last 17 NCAA Women's championship teams to see what he said about them, I'll bet he made some crack about one of those teams too. That's what he does, makes jokes. Nothing is personal most of the time when you're in the position of a famous radio personality, and you'd think he would have SOME leeway in the fact that it just "popped out" while he was trying to be cute, suspension without pay SHOULD have been sufficient, but apparently Jackson and Sharpton changed their minds because this decision was made right after CBS met with them supposedly. Bless the "Reverends".

Look, I don't like the guy and rarely pay him any of my attention, but this could have some pull on everyone else involved with broadcasting, from the personalities to the damn script writers, the PC curve becomes that much steeper. I'm also not advocating open gay/race/a/b/c/.. bashing either, but what he said falls so short of what I would consider a fireable offense. Now everyones sphincter will get a little tighter about this issue out of fear of losing their job. You just don't fire the guy for being ignorant when that's what you pay him for! They PAID him to be arrogant and brutish, not to sugarcoat stories simply read what's outlined to him by his producer.

Punish the guy but don't take away his job for doing what you paid him to do, that's all I'm saying.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: JD50

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: AnandTech Moderator

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: TheFamilyMan

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
OMG! CBS just nuked his RADIO show too!

http://www.cnn.com/

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!:|

What a ****** crock of ******. They don't fire Tom Joyner, Doug Banks or any of the other black morning-show DJ's and they ADVERTISE, GLORIFY & IDOLIZE rappers and black comedians that call black women ho's and bitches, call white people crackers, whiteys & rednecks, and call jews hymies. This is such BS.

Now is the time for Imus to find some balls somewhere and make a stand. He should take back the apologies and tell everyone to grow a ****** spine...it was a radio talk-show. He needs to take the fight straight to Sharpton, Jackson and all the other black racists out there that stand on a crutch and keep their own people down while fleecing them of their money and support.

Imus and others need to take a stand NOW and take to task everyone who is swinging the 'condemning stick'. If this firing stands, then every black celebrity, talk show host, DJ, comedian, et al that has uttered "redneck, honkey, whitey, cracker, etc" had better issue a personal apology to me and every other white person out there or be fired and stripped of their ability to make future income by being labeled a racist. Oh wait, we can't do that because only black people are allowed to sling racial insults and use inappropriate words in society.

What a ****** crock...did I already say that?

The problem isnt what he said, its that he legitimized it by apologizing for it.

You can hear things 10 times worse, 100 times more often on Opie and Anthony or Stern...the difference between him and them is that they don't apologize.

It wont take long before someone else rehires Imus. Might be a smaller market, but he'll be back.

He'd be a big hit in Tuscaloosa or Birmingham.

This can actually be a good thing, the backlash from the White Folks is going to be more than either of those two instigators can handle.

I think throwing a has been no talent schmuck like Imus under the truck would be well worth it if it will make Sharpton and Jackson irrelevent.

I now consider Sharpton and Jackson as enemies of the United States Constitution.

The list is actually longer with CBS, MSNBC, GM, Proctor & Gamble and all the other pussy advertisers. Market my ass.

Dave I find myself agreeing with you more and more these days, but I still think your nuts.

I'm sure most of the colonists in the mid 1700's were looked at as nuts too.

 

[Number1]

Some posters could could benefit from watching the documentary "a class devided" on the PBS web site.
A documentary on race issues and how attitude toward others will affect behavior.

I found it extremely interesting and on topic with reguard to how we treat others and how they react.