Now that the jury is out and a man spoke words the revited through the globe. We now must understand what is tolerated and what needs to be terminated. Don Imus, radio talk-show host of MSNBC and CBS radio, has finally bullied the wrong person or group. The Rutgers Lady Knights of Rutgers University. While finishing a wonderful season with a lost to newly crowned NCAA champion Tennesse Lady Vols, the Rutgers ladies had not unpacked their bags quick enough when Don Imus, made the infamous comment of "nappy heade ho's" refering to the lady Knights out of New Jersey. What made it so damaging is the fact that it was done on public radio listened by many and each adn every word was recorded and played throughout the nation. Why? Well, Don Imus has made his mark in maiking brash and ugly comments about people and guest and has been accepted by many viewers as a significant radio personality. The ladies of the Rutgers basketball team (predominately black) worked extremely hard in their preparation for the season that was without expectation of making it as far as they did-to the NCAA championship game. Don Imus, continue on with his triade of comments that were clearly on the spectrum of sexist and racist, toward the student-athletes. I still am appauld and shocked at the nature adn timing of such comments. And I am truly amazed at the different responses that have been given from blacks ...and whites. They were clearly out of line, arrogant and ignorant in manner. This goes to show you that our society has accepted this type of behavior and allowed it to fester and grow. But, wait an minute! Don Imus, who is white, shouldn't be the only one that should be reprimanded. Our own black brothers (Rappers), have been calling our women nappy headed ho's, scanks, bitches and what have you and gotten away wit hit ten-times over. The matter is due to this being heard over the airwaves, but wait?...are Rappers heard over the airwaves as well? Ok..Ok...let's stay on the topic of Imus cause he is well compensated for his career and been in this business to know, there are some lines that you don't cross and touch. He touches them all...but women! Now, that is one that can cause a major uproar...which it has so much that American Express and General Motors has pulled out their ads and others are to be followed. Joking or in jest, was not an appropriate manner in this case adn being that he was a well-known commodity in radio, he should have had sense enough to know that this was one issue that wasn't going to be not dealt with.
Rev. Al Sharpton, whom I have issues on the Tawana Brawley case, has allied pressure and stood up to counter back at Imus. I am not a big fan of Sharpton, but I do applaud him for standing up.
Even "Baby-Daddy" Rev. Jesse Jackson has made all out efforts, in protesting this fowl manner of expression by Imus...and that too , I applaud.
let's get to the point! These young ladies are student-athletes, but STILL women! They were representing their university, community and family in front of millions of viewers and did so, with galent effort, grit and character. They didn't warrant this manner of comments nor should those comments been made especially if you heard the recordings of the braodcast by Imus and friend. Just totally ignornat, stupid and arrogant. But that seems to be the tolerant level of our society today. But it is clearly exposed, in it's text, to be racist due to the "nappy head ho's" comment.
Should Don Imus be fired? Without a doubt...Yes!
Should he aplolgize? He has but, if I were Imus (which I am not) I would have seeked out the Rutgers team the very next day and met with them pesonally and given the apology face-to-face and THEN, come up with an idea of working together in aiding other young ladies, either at Rutgers or in a community environment monetarily in support of further casues...if he was sincere in his apology. But he dropped the ball and allowed this things to reach a height that I don't think he, would have thought would have reached.
Now, we have black men having different perspectives and different comments about this matter. But I am sure that what Don Imus did, will surly be rectified and he will be released or fired...I bet my life on it. The matter is not all black and white...it's green! With this sudden storm, it is likely that many of the sponsors will pull thieir ads and not want to be involved with MCNBC and CBS with Imus at the helm of this particular show. His face is going to have to take a hiatus from the airwaves and company of MSNBC and CBS because they believe in morality (yeah right!)
Let me say this...Women, are a true gift to us men and we are to protect them from these type of abuses nor perpetuate them. Those young ladies didn't deserve that kind of assesment of their anatomy or person. And clearly, not from a man's perspective and also not from a white-males perspective with a M.O. such as Don Imus. But we too, must not let up on the fight cause our own brothers (in the hood) and Rappers are calling our women derogatory names day in and day out...so let us not forget that! It should not be tolerated, fester or allowed, by NO ONE!
Those "nappy headed ho's" are college students striving for excellence, with enough discrimmination, abuse and sexism upon them to fight...let alone adding this from Mr. Don Imus!
Is Cleopatra, Esther, Tubman and Parks a Ho? For they have given to this society (and world) a great deal of illustration of courage, strength and fortitude...that many men couldn't muster in one finger on their hands.
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