Yeah, Imus

[low_delta]

Well, not really about Don Imus.

What he (and his sidekick) said about the women was horrible. Should as big a deal have been made of it as was? Maybe not. But it should not be surprising that he was fired. Not only should it not be surprising, but it should be seen as appropriate. I have seen several people saying that it was uncalled for. This pisses me off. I've seen several discussions where people thought the uproar was a little too much. *shrug* But now that he has been fired, people are even more angry that it's come to that.

I have two opinions about all of this.

One: Yes, I know they hired him to state opinions and be a jerk, but if he crosses their line, he can expect to be canned.

Two: What he said was bad.

The kind of language that other people use should have no bearing on the language you use. There is no more a racial double-standard than there is for anyone else. Yes, black kids can call each other "nigga" if they want, and we can't call them that. That's just the way it is. I can call my friend a "bastard," and I can't call the VP of finance that. That's just the way it is.

Bottom line: Imus is a racist asshole, and the people he works for have every right to fire him. Now, if what he said didn't bother them, and they fired him anyway to protect the bottom line, that would be hypocrisy, and that would be a different story. What combination of the two do you think it was?

Comments

[seamusd.livejournal.com]

I saw a telling segment on WGN news yesterday. They were interviewing people on the street about Imus. The two black guys said his firing was the right move, but the young white woman said something about giving people "second chances." Obviously, she was unaware that Imus has had several chances over the years, but more obviously, she was unaware of what being on the receiving end of racist remarks feels like.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

unaware of what being on the receiving end of racist remarks feels like

Imus's remarks were denigrating to women in general, but black women, specifically. I wonder if the woman realized that she was part of one of the groups that he dissed. I wonder if she would take offense at being called a ho. I wonder if she would have called for his head if she had been offended at soemthing he said, while others would have suggested he deserved another chance.

It's interesting how potentially offensive remarks are viewed differently depending on one's position in society. As members of the majority, we white men, generally feel less sting from stones thrown at us by minorities. Given how little we have to fear from such attacks, we need little armor. But given the history between the different races, if we hurl eptithets at minorities, it is viewed as a continuation of centuries of hurt. So while everyone has a responsibility to combat racism, it is doubly important that the majorities do so. Is that a double standard? If so, so be it.

[emschin.livejournal.com]

You and seamusd are exactly right. One's position in society makes all the difference.

[kingseyeland.livejournal.com]

I just hope this puts Rush Limbaugh on notice.

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine the masses getting upset enough about him to start protesting and threatening to boycott.

[ravenfeather.livejournal.com]

it is always the bottom line, and yeah, it is hypocrisy. If his comments had NOT received the press that it did, the NEGATIVE press, if sponsors had not pulled their money, then he would probably still have a job, his comments did, they did, and he was fired.


it is ALL the bottom line. However.. if it was some joe schmuck in corporate ABC who has a racial quota to hire, and has to protect itself against "hostile work environment" law suits (which racial slurs on the job fall into) then he/she would have been fired on the spot.. or on the spot with time allowed for HR to generate the paperwork.

what is right, and what is wrong?


and why the hell is this right or wrong anyway?

*devilish grin*

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

then he/she would have been fired on the spot

Sometimes it takes a while for those execs to work through all of that logic.

[rivendweller.livejournal.com]

I've said so many stupid things in my life it's embarrassing. On the other hand, I'm not a professional paid a gazillion bucks to say stuff on the air. Imus should have known better. He's supposed to be a professional, isn't he?

I think I've tried to listen to him once or twice and found his drivel tedious and inane.

BTW, I don't think his bosses care what he said, they care about the bottom line. If the sponsors had not pulled their advertisements, he would not have been fired.

[seamusd.livejournal.com]

I don't think his bosses care what he said, they care about the bottom line. If the sponsors had not pulled their advertisements, he would not have been fired.

I agree.

[vyoma.livejournal.com]

It's very easy to forgive someone for doing something that had nothing to do with you.

[vocalista001.livejournal.com]

I started to respond to you, but I didn't realize how irritated I was, and it turned into a post LOL

In answer to your question, I agree with If the sponsors had not pulled their advertisements, he would not have been fired.

And now I go back to my quiet world of reading my science magazines....

[ravengirl.livejournal.com]

I have several black female friends, all professionals. One of them talks about racism a lot-- so much so that I sometimes wonder if her viewpoint is slanted a bit. I have to admit that recently, I've had her in my thoughts as I wonder at our society and the way the races are still segregated in our minds. The Imus comment cut me to the quick as a woman and because I felt it was both offensive and dismissive. In the grand scheme, however, we got a nice closeup of these young, thoughtful, accomplished and articulate women. This much, I'm grateful for.

And my friend who sees racism everywhere? Her sixth sense is more attuned than mine. Because it has to be.

[mummm.livejournal.com]

We sure have plenty of public ( and overly publicized) idiots don't we?