Comments on: All you critics of Don Imus: where have you been for the past 20 years?

By: Roberta

Roberta — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:50:11 +0000

As a black woman, I found Imus’ comment highly offensive. However, I think his punishment should have been to pay for the Rutgers girls basketball team’s tuition as well as a large financial contribution to the school. Hit people like him in the pocket and this kind of nonsense would stop. On the other hand, Al Sharpton is an embarrassment. He needs to find something to do!!!!!!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:10:33 +0000

This is SO NOT a free speech issue. We as a country have grown far beyond the immaturity of hiding behind the intelligence and dignity of the “free speech” principle to be bigotted and racist. GROW UP. This is all about economics and marketing. Imus said this because his primary audience would think it was funny. Humor changes just as much as other positions as society grows and matures. The only way we are really and truly going to grow beyond the racism of our past is to stop this ridiculousness and childish behavior is to STOP making markets for it.

Just because children buy rap music filled with hate speech does NOT give the music industry the “right” to perpetuate their message. There’s a “market” for nazi propoganda and goods (uniforms, swastikas, etc….) - this does NOT mean we should sanction their sale. Yes, we live in a democracy and this is a capitalist society. But we sanction what’s sold every day. Ask Janet Jackson and the Dixie Chicks.

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 20:41:56 +0000

You ask where have we been? I don’t know about some of you, but I have been protesting “shock jocks” AND the racism/sexism in “gangsta rap” ever since the mid 1980s, only to be blown off as “old fashioned”, “out of step with the times” or “acting white.” Well, I say it is about time the chickens came home to roost. No, Imus didn’t start the fire, but it has burned for far too long, and as an African American professional woman who chooses to wear her hair in its natural state, I found it very offensive that someone with the kind of influence Imus has would pick on women who fit my physical description and then ascribe insulting epitats that question my moral character! A person with the influence of Don Imus has the power to convince people that what he says is right…and it opens the door for discrimination and abuse. Why can’t people see this? Sure the basketball team is taking the high road and accepting his apology…but I still feel a lot more needs to be done…by a lot of people! Hate speech is NOT responsible speech, and when the Founding Fathers crafted the Bill of Rights, I’m sure they didn’t mean that defamation of anyone’s reputation or character was acceptable.

By: Mark B

Mark B — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:03:33 +0000

Awe come on! What about the language on prime time TV? And i’m sure that some comment will affect someone who is supposed to have something going on, right? Al Sharpton and his coharts ought to take the back seat. They are nothing but nuisances.

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:41:04 +0000

“What is pertinent and increasingly disturbing is the larger issue of stalled black/white relations in this country.”

Yeah, and sadly it will now be stronger than ever. Imus should not have been fired for a comment he made on his COMEDY show (just because it was on MSNBC does not mean it was anything more than a comedy radio program). This is a huge blow to free speech and it shows a double-standard. Thanks to two big phony media-whore scumbag liars (Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson) we now have a race war forming.

By: Mic

Mic — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 07:10:21 +0000

ADIOS I-boy. Couldn’t have happen to an uglier person!!! LOL, BRAVO!!!. Thanks for the insightfull article. More honest reporting is needed. Networks have made millions of dollars by selling hate to America and calling free speach. Funny thing is the people insulted are not give the chance to speak on these same shows. No freedom of speech on the radio for them. CBS and MSNBC losing millions of dollars? GOOD!!!!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:12:11 +0000

Imus did make a bad decision on his statement. I have been an avid listener to his radio and television program for years. My opinion is what is the difference in his comment versus the daily jabs, jokes, etc. that is made daily on the radio or tv about our President; whether we like him or not; no matter who our President is, this is downgrading to our country. What do the people in other countries think of our daily jabs at our President; we need to remember his is our leader and whether we agree or disagree with him; we should respect that person. It is downright downgrading to make fun of our President. He is our leader, we have voted him into office to lead our country and if Don Imus is fired, it does not need to stop here. This should be the beginning of cleaning up the airwaves, CBS and MSNBC has started the cleaning; so let it continue on.

By: Let's think about this

Let's think about this — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 05:06:08 +0000

How about all of us who support Don Imus boycotting all of the advertisers who helped to get Don Imus fired!!!

By: Dustin

Dustin — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:57:18 +0000

Oh, come on. Imus was just following off a bad joke his producer made, trying for a cheap laugh. He didn’t get one because he’s a no-talent hack. Most comedians write things more offensive (and much funnier) than what Imus said into their act ahead of time. If Imus should be fired for an off-the-cuff comment like that, why aren’t we going after every other comedian on the earth, and half the musicians? He said he was sorry, let’s stop with the phony selective outrage.

And Opie and Anthony aren’t XM exiles, their terrestrial radio show is as good as ever.

-Dustin

By: Robert

Robert — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:18:36 +0000

Whats the big deal? Most black girls are nappy headed hos. The black guys dont even like them.

By: Weehawkin

Weehawkin — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:52:33 +0000

A sad day in American history today — the day freedom of speech was buried. If you don’t like what Don Imus says, then DONT LISTEN to his show. Simple. But for those of us who enjoy listening to him, and are entertained by him, we will continue to tune in, no matter what show he goes to, and that’s what makes the decision to fire him such a crock. We will follow him, and listen to him. So what did the firing achieve?

By: Dazed and Confused

Dazed and Confused — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:30:21 +0000

Now that Imus is fired, can someone please publish the list of words that whites can not say? This way whites won’t have to be concerned by offending anyone. Once the list is published, I propose that we make it an Amendment to the Constitution to make sure that the freedom of speech is clearly defined. Who would thought that the most sensitive group in America is the African American population.

By: wtf

wtf — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:01:59 +0000

If Imus is being fired then McGuirk needs to go too!!! Where is the outrage against McGuirk? Personally I feel that the suspension was enough, but if Imus goes then McGuirk should go too!!!!!

By: a nappy headed ho

a nappy headed ho — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:48:48 +0000

so long imus … you were never funny, topical or relevant. how appropriate that your only two supporters are even less so.
farewell imus … you’ve always been a loudmouth bigot and blowhard. how appropriate that the two guys that buried you the most were even more so.

By: jon

jon — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:46:40 +0000

Whatever happened to the phrase “Sticks and Stones will break my bones, but Names will never hurt me”? I guess this doesn’t apply to African Americans.

Once again, this whole thing is an overreaction of some stupid words said by a shock jock who gets paid 8 figures a year to shock.

By: ellis blevins

ellis blevins — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:46:30 +0000

What the h___l is all the uproar about concerning Don Imus.
If it had been a black personality making derogatory remark about a white person, there would not be such an uproar.
I am sick of white people giving in to black people on the Don Imus deal. Don Imus may have been wrong, but it is a two way street. Black people….wake up and smell the coffee. Oh, oh…I done went and done a no, no….coffee is black. I should have said ….take a good whiff of the liquid, caffeinated stimulant. I challenge any black person to comment my remarks. My email is….cherokey_hillbilly@yahoo.com, I think I will be waiting a VERY long time. I’m 69 years old, I hope I live long enough to get a response.

By: Neil

Neil — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:31:14 +0000

I am no fan of Imus. I can’t stand his voice and I won’t miss him. But what he said is no big deal. The only people who should feel insulted are the owners of the Nappy Head company, a British manufacturer of baby clothes. “Nappy” is British for “diaper”. A “Nappy Head” is someone who acts like a baby. Imus is the true nappy head, and anyone who takes anything he says seriously is a nappy head.

By: Faheem Abdus-Shakur

Faheem Abdus-Shakur — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 21:21:35 +0000

I feel Don Imus has done said some incredibly stupid and callous remarks including this fiasco. He has helped kids? So what. Why? Because that is NOT the issue - this issue is not even over racial relations, or misogyny.

The issue is one of respect for each other as human beings, and as Americans who share a complicated history.

There is NO Black or White race - only the human race. Each human being is categorized (generally speaking) into one of two sexes. Maleness or Femaleness is not a demonstrable trait.

Imus, Sharpton, Jackson, all have made derisive, insensitive remarks which show they do not wish to be part of the human race - just mindless selfish individuals out to make a buck.

Let us better understand some people are human beings - and some are not. As adults and human beings we must be tolerant of the children and those who wish to make trouble like these three.

The best way to deal with it is to not allow them to speak publicly, or ask them for their views ever again.

By: wrestling perspective

wrestling perspective — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:20:21 +0000

20 years?

30 years at least.

Listen to clips from the late 70s here.

http://wrestlingperspective.com/imus/

By: chris jackson

chris jackson — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 19:04:41 +0000

I am sick and tired of the various apologists who creep out of the woodwork when any WHITE public figure makes racist comments about black americans; to apologise by proxy and tell us how it does not matter, everyone else says the same things, it is all ok, nobody is responsible, nobody should lose their job. Well, why don’t the same rules apply to comments about the Jews? Are there any WHITE public figures out there willing to deny the Holocaust, question the influence the Jews hold in the media and entertainment, question the influence the jews and israel exert on american foreign policy, and make fun of jews in general and expect to keep their job?

By: what goes around comes around

what goes around comes around — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:56:35 +0000

Imus is a nasty old man. Someone who regularly puts down people, even members of his own “family” at NBC has it coming. I’ll bet Contessa Brewer (formerly co-hosted the show on MSNBC until Imus berated and ridiculed her) is shedding no tears for poor I-Man (or should I say i-boy). So long Imus, and oh yeah, let the door hit you on the way out. It’s karma baby!

By: Jim C

Jim C — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:36:36 +0000

It’s true Imus has made racial statements for years, but how many black people do you know that actually listen to his show. If they listened they would have asked for him to be fired a long time ago. Being a black man, I don’t like that he gets a two week paid vacation as punishment, instead I say let him apologize to the female basketball players and give a huge donation to the school. On the other hand, I don’t agree he should be fired, but I didn’t agree that Raqiyah Mays (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raqiyah_Mays) should have been fired also. If you’re going to fire her for her comments than by all means, this guy should be fired as well.

By: Lionel Martin

Lionel Martin — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:35:47 +0000

“It was even suggested that some black women considered being called a “ho” a term of endearment. The response from black composers, singers, and the Black Entertainment Network: it’s OK for blacks to use the term since they invented it and it belongs to them. It is only offensive when whites use the term.”…Who suggested some black women look at the term “ho” as endearment and how can you lump black composers,singers and the Black Entertainment Network into one faceless entity. I would like t know the names of the individuals who share such offensive views.

By: Raaaaamonnnnne!

Raaaaamonnnnne! — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:30:54 +0000

Al sharpton and Jesse Jackson are two of the most embarrassing things to me as a black man. I really wish they would do something useful with their lives instead of seek free publicity for themselves and themselves only. Tawana anyone?

By: indymike

indymike — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:00:17 +0000

Just to clarify one thing. Opie and Anthony are not only on satellite radio, they are also heard from 6am-9am on terrestrial radio originating out of New York on CBS radio WFNY. They have spent the last week supporting Imus and even spent most of today encouraging listeners to call in for his radiothon to donate since MSNBC decided to not air his show today - a show that was all about raising money for kids.

By: O&A fan

O&A fan — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:00:09 +0000

please remember Opie and Anhony are not “exiled to satellite radio”

They broadcast in 25 commercial radio makets.

Ramone……. you need to get your facts straight

Old enought to sit on a curb and the feet touch the ground, Old enouht for me

By: Rob Thompson

Rob Thompson — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 17:59:43 +0000

You are kidding, right? When Clinton addressed that group of women in Alabama, you didn’t here her being all southern and phony? Do people not have time to listen to the people that they are trying to run out of town? It isn’t an insult when Clinton is the one starting it. Bill Clinton, great president…his wife on the other hand? A joke…bad joke