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Daniel Finkelstein on Don Imus
America's most famous “shock jock” was fired from his radio show last night
after his apologies over racially charged insults against a university
women’s basketball team failed to quell a storm of protest and an anguished
national debate about racism.
CBS dismissed Don Imus, the godfather of America’s foul-mouthed and
acid-tongued talk-show hosts, after its initial decision to suspend him for
a fortnight over his description of the mostly black Rutgers women’s college
basketball team as “nappy-headed hos” became untenable in the face of
overwhelming outrage.
The decision by CBS, which owns the New York radio station that broadcasts Imus
in the Morning, came a day after a NBC terminated its televised
simulcast of the show on its cable news network MSNBC.
Imus, 67, has forged a highly successful 40-year career by insulting people of
all colours and religions. His spectacular fall is a graphic demonstration
of how race is the issue burnt most deeply in the US psyche, and the one
with the most power to destroy the careers of loose-tongued public figures
and politicians.
Imus, whose iconoclastic morning show has long been accused of racism,
misogyny and homophobia, told listeners last Wednesday after the basketball
team’s defeat in the national championship final against the University of
Ten-nessee: “That’s some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos.
That’s some nappy-headed hos there.”
“Nappy-headed” refers to the tight curls of Afro-textured hair, while “hos” is
ghetto slang for whores.
After growing calls for Imus’s dismissal from civil rights leaders, feminists
and many within CBS, the company’s president, Leslie Moonves, moved to quell
a growing public relations disaster. “In our meetings with concerned groups,
there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our
young people, particularly young women of colour, trying to make their way
in this society,” he said in a statement announcing Imus’s dismissal.
“That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our
decision. From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and
revulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women
who represented Rutgers University. . . with such class, energy and talent.”
Steve Capus, NBC’s news division president, said that the decision to halt its
simulcast of Imus’s show was made after a mutiny at the network. It also
followed a boycott of the MSNBC broadcast by eight big sponsors, including
General Motors and American Express.
Imus’s wife, Deirdre, an environmental activist, postponed a tour to promote
her latest book on green living. Proceeds from sales of Green This!
Volume 1: Greening Your Cleaning will benefit the Imus Cattle Ranch
charity, a 4,000-acre cattle ranch in New Mexico that provides holidays for
children with cancer and blood diseases.
On air yesterday, before he was sacked, Imus said that he believed he had
apologised enough, addding: ''I said a stupid, idiotic thing that
desperately hurt these kids.” Despite his sacking, he went ahead last night
with a private meeting with the basketball team.
Pressure had mounted on CBS to dismiss Imus as the Rev Al Sharpton, the civil
rights activist, held a rally outside CBS headquarters in Manhattan, before
a meeting with the network’s executives. “If NBC could see the light, all
those advertisers could see the light, then CBS should see the light,” Mr
Sharpton said.
An hour before CBS announced the dismissal, the Imus controversy reached
perhaps the most crucial American forum for determining whether or not he
should survive: The Oprah Winfrey Show. The Rutgers team appeared
with the queen of US talk shows to describe the hurt Imus had caused them.
Imus was paid $8 million (£4 million) a year by CBS, which, together with its
affiliates, receives more than $40 million in advertising and syndication
revenue from his show.
Imus’s comments have reverberated so profoundly that they have brought not
only a condemnation from the White House but have also become a litmus test
on race for the 2008 presidential candidates. Many candidates have been
guests on his show and yesterday had to respond to questions, before he was
sacked, on whether they would make return visits.
Barack Obama, the only black 2008 hopeful who appeared on the show two years
ago, said Imus should be fired. Hillary Clinton whom Imus described recently
as “that bucktoothed witch, Satan”, called his comments “small-minded
bigotry and coarse sexism”. The Republicans John McCain and Rudy Giuliani
said, however, that they would appear on the show again.
Imus called the black news anchor Gwen Ifill a “cleaning lady” and has
referred to Arabs as “ragheads”. But the youth of his latest victims,
together with the grace and eloquence they showed at a press conference on
Tuesday, made his remarks all the more incendiary. The controversy also
reflects the growing sensitivity to the casual racism endemic in America.
The career of the Republican senator George Allen imploded last year over
his description of a dark-skinned Democrat activist as “macaca”.
He said what?
“ ‘I never admitted it when I went down there and got in all that big jam,
insulting Bill Clinton and his fat ugly wife, Satan. Did I? Did I ever say I
was sorry for that?’
— On Hillary Clinton
‘A knuckle-dragging moron’
— On black basketball player Patrick Ewing
‘I didn’t know that [he] was coming in from the back end’
— On learning of academic Allan Bloom’s homosexuality
‘[She’s] having a press conference. Ms Reno, of course, has Parkinson’s
disease, has a noticeable tremor . .. I don’t know how she gets that
lipstick on, looking like a rodeo clown’
— On Janet Reno
‘Old Kabuki's in a coma and the market's going up. . . How old is the boy? The
battery’s running down on that boy’
— On ailing Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who died in 2000
Source: Slate.com
As a Native American (Santee Sioux Nation of Nebraska), I understand the outrage that has been voiced within black communities. While I can understand the many calls for Mr. Imus' termination from MSNBC network and CBS radio, I wonder if Mr. Imus will truly have learned anything about racial oppression and sexism. He and others may learn that racially denigrating comments have personal and expensive consequences. However, will MSNBC, CBS and other national and international corporations begin to mandate serious anti-oppression training for its employees and consultants? Can we get past the soft selling of "diversity appreciation" and "multiculturalism" and have serious discussion of the need for anti-racism and anti-oppression training? My hope is that Don Imus will be able to overcome his own anger and guilt and begin to dismantle racism in his own life and in the circles of which he is part.
Hushasha (Red Legs), Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
I think the person from "Madison, USA" missed the whole point.
It's correct for Imus to lose his job.
The bigger question is when are we Americans, as a nation, going to rise above all this name-calling? When is it going to stop being funny to call people names and use stereotypes that can hurt people?
Terry Jones, Manila, Philippines
What hypocrites obscene wealth creates. No, not Imus, but Sumner Redstone (the ultimate owner of CBS) and other such as he.. They blythely support by giving air time to the likes of Al Sharpton and others who not only insult caucasians, but America even worse.
The reality is that when the obscenely rich such as Redstone have the money they do, they can quite easily write the rules by which others must plae. Thos such as Imus must play by their rules or be forced out of the game!
Bob Evans, Anaheim, California
I want to see the tattoos
His remark is typical of sexists remarks made by men everywhere ... check out the horrible conditions of women in the Arab countries
These remarks are the result of male insecurities because they realize that " woman" is in control of their ego, their destiny and their sanity.
Southern Gal, Memphis, TN
I would to express my dismay at the firing of Don Imus by CBS radio and MSNBC this week. I don’t listen to Imus in the morning radio show. The times I have heard his show I did not like it. However, the last time I looked the First Amendment to the US Constitution was still in effect. What Mr. Imus said was in bad taste and offensive. I think the players on a team that made the NCAA finals deserved better.
The attitude of race and how it dictates the spoken language in the country is appalling. Words thrown out by a media personality hire to say provocative things are part of the radio and TV market. But backlashes and protests by a single community to silence a voice they do not like is an attack on free speech.
Racial insensitivity in words is not restricted to one ethnic group or one religious group. People do make mistakes and words come out that do not reflect the true character of the person saying them. A person should be judged on how they respect & treat others.
William Smith, Philadelphia , PA/USA
Marilyn of McHenry, is right, to a point, and so is Kim Righetti. But the viewers did decide, and the network in turn decided Imus's mouth was more liability than asset. No tears from me on that score.
But young college athletes shouldn't be expected to have the thick skins of politicians and media celebrities, and they don't have the same powers of reprisal, unless you count being guests on Oprah. They can't do as Clinton and Obama have done to Fox, and punish a network by refusing to appear in its tv debate.
Judith Lindley, American in UK
Judith Lindley, Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, UK
I think the key thing in Imus' firing was the target of his remark. It is one thing to go after big politicians and/or entertainers or people in the communications industry; but it is quite another thing to go after struggling college girls who have not the means or forum to defend themselves against attacks.
The other thing is the internet; which as Marshall McLuhan suggested in his famous dictum about media,... media are really the extentions of man. The internet is the extention of the human central nervous system. This enables reaction to any stimulus by a large number of people in very short time because anything is immediately passed along by numerous people. In short the internet can cause a massive knee jerk reaction to any stimulus. The firing of Imus was an example of a internet created massive knee jerk reaction. Always remember ... "the medium is the message".
Jim White, Allendale, USA/ New Jersey
The "Imus Affair" represents the essence of American hypocrisy when it comes to language. Outrage is plentiful for Mr. Imus, but absent when rappers, hip-hop artists and black comedians continually refer to women, especially women of color, as "hos" and "bitches". When anyone criticizes these offensive remarks, someone who is making a lot of money off of the same defends the remarks as "authentic and artistic verbalizations" of black american life. As noted, one of Imus' comments concerned the basketball players' tatoos. During their much lauded post comment appearances, the players have been very carefully "packaged" to cover such markings with clothing.
Erick, Rock Island, Illinois, USA
Corporations like CBS will make money however they can. They were quite happy until now allowing this loser to prattle on for years until the point where it might affect their profit-margins. The free market has no concept of right or wrong.
Lee, Manchester, UK
Anyone that does not acknowledge Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson as vapid racists is living with their heads in the sand. NOBODY should be apologizing for racial transgressions to Al Sharpton. He makes his living from promoting racism and exacerbating racial tensions. Will he apologize to the Duke players he slandered? Has he ever apologized for his racist comments and actions. It will never happen.
strellnikov, louisville,
It sickens me to see all these people defend Imus and call Sharpton and Jackson opportunists. First of all, to all people that defend Imus' statement as a "stupid comment," would u think it was a just a stupid comment not meriting remorse or something to be looked over if i called your mother or your daughter or sister a "blond hoe"? If Sharpton or Jackson called any white woman a name besides the one they were born with, there would be hell to pay. Let's realize that this is 2007 and nappy headed or hoe should not be in ANYONE'S vocabulary. And as far as "well, black rappers say it all the time so why the fuss," since when did two wrongs make a right??? We should be condeming them all, rappers and Imus alike....
Travion, Lancaster, US
"“Nappy-headed” refers to the tight curls of Afro-textured hair, while “hos” is ghetto slang for whores."
It cracks me up that you actualy felt the need to explain that. I suspect "non-Americans" may not realise just how often these kinds of prases are used in the American entertainment industry by people of all races and is considered funny by so many, again, of all races. This is why Imus thought he could use that type of phrase without everyone getting their panties all in a bunch over it.
Cherice, Santa Rosa, USA
Imus' firing has nothing to do with freedom of speech, which I agree he definitely has a right to. And people will continue to listen to him, that's fine. The only reason that MSNBC and CBC both fired Imus is because they saw that they would lose a ton of money in terms of sponsorships. I don't buy that they were concerned about Imus' statements about the Rutgers female basketball players. Otherwise, he would probably have been fired a long time ago.
Dennis, Los Angeles, CA
Hummm, Imus was fired for insensitive comments, re: Black Americans. Hummm , Jessie Jackson referred to New York as "Hymie Town", no problem. Humm, Al Sharpton instigated a riot in which White People were killed, no problem.
The only people of consequence to come out of this with dignity, are the Rutgers Womans Basketball Team, and their Coach.
Humm, what does that say about the top three individuals?
Probably, that these are three old bigoted looser dinosaurs, and all of them should exit the scene.
Jim Johnson, Framingham, MA
I used to like Imus, and listened to him driving to the Metro North Train Station in Ct., but during the Bush 43 Presidency, he just swung way too far to the left for me -- never seemed to give our current President the slightest benefit of the doubt, mocked him at times that bordered on being cruel and just lost me.
Still -- in spite of an inordinately poor choice of words about the Rutgers Women's basketball team, which should have resulted in condemnation, suspension, and a hefty fine --not giving Imus a chance to make amends seems like piling on. I hope he can find a way to make amends, and comes out of this mess with at least his health in tact.
Ted Jones, Scottsdale, USA/Arizona
No American would say Imus is the most famous "shock jock" in America. Howard Stern by leaps and bounds would come first to mind.
Before Stern went to satellite, he trounced Imus in listener ratings for 2 decades.
Tobin Manley, Madison, USA
I don't have a problem with radio hosts making fun of professional athletes because it comes with the territory, but, these are college athletes that do not get paid. They are just kids! I have kids that are athletes and compete. I know the sacrifices they have to make for practice time, diet, team meetings and still have homework to do. I think Imus has a softspot for the kids his ranch helps support, but he needs to really consider what kind of pain his loose mouth can cause. I am glad CBS did the right thing in firing Imus.
John, Albuquerque, NM, USA
i think that this incident has been blown all out of control as far as what was said. we the general public blast and talk offensivly about our fearless leader pres. bush and cond. rice all the time as far as doining a crappy job why dont we boycott the whitehouse we allow a few black people of the american society to stand and be heard and what do we the american people do but BUCKLE IN FEAR. we will boycott you if you dont do what will make us happy. my suggestion is boycott us the same way you did in south carolina about the cond flag it is still flying on the statehouse grounds!!!!!!!!! grow up and get a life leave the radio personality alone if you dont like music do like the rest of the people and turn the channel to your rap music since it seems to be like the rev sharton LOUD and arrougant with no sense of direction or control!!!!!!!!!!!!!
danny, florence, south carolina
I am glad that CBS finally realized that making money with a bigot/racist is not what they want to do. One mistake is ok, but he has consistently been an offender and gets what he deserves. Good riddance.
Tony, Yorktown, VA
At what point did the Constitution and the 1st amendment start protecting our freedoms based upon race? Imas was fired for REPEATING a phrase that is used constantly in society, mostly by black Americans. Why is it acceptable for black comics to mock and make jokes about “white trash” and white people in general? Surely there are those that are offended but their only choice is to not listen to the comic. Of all that were rallying for the dismissal of Imas, how many have said they heard the remark in its original context? At the peak of this story, which is tops on all news outlets, four young men were acquitted of all charges of a racially motivated rape (where was Reverend Al for this?). These young men are now branded for life because of something that never happened. Of course the young women of Rutgers have every right to be offended but the incident will likely have no negative consequences during the course of their lives.
James Flynn, Hampton Bays, NY
To the people whining about free speech: You're free to say what you want, but a corporation doesn't have to employ you or pay you for it.
I'm disgusted by the hypocricy of it all. The Politicians who have been going on his show for years when he's been insulting people for years.
Sharpton and Jackson, who have made outrageous racist comments themselves, picketing CBS, but not the corporations who finance the black rappers who say far worse. Or how about the most notorious racist organization in America today, "The Nation Of Islam", and its leader Louis Farrakhan? My own idiotic Governor appointed a "Nation" member/staffer to the Illinois Commission of Discrimination and Hate Crimes! It's LUNACY
MCD, Elmhurst, USA
Why is it okay for black comedians / actors etc. to make fun of white people (refer to martin lawrence movies, various rap artists, videos etc.) without it being referred to as racism? The race card has been overused (i am an indian and ashamed to see people of my race ignorantly blaming things on racism quite often). If it were a black person making fun of a white group simillarly, i bet the reaction wouldn't be quite as stern?!
D, Mumbai, India
D, mumbai, india
This whole episode represents a sad day in modern American history. Not because of what Imus said, but rather, because of the reaction to what he said.
So much for freedom of speech.
This modern day inverted-lynching, driven by the well known cast of opportunistic characters (Jackson, Shaptom) who regularly point the finger .. but never at themselves.
I read somewhere that the women basketball players where "scarred for life" ... has anyone stopped to think in all this hyperbole, how ridiculous a statement that is?
It was a comedy show, it was Don Imus - people could have just turned the dial.
Nick
Nick, Toronto, Ontario
As a black woman i feel better today...thanks!
lady, raleigh , nc
Rev. Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are always claiming that the white race is prejudice and is always looking for ways to down them and is always looking for apologies from the white race. Why aren't they down demanding apologies
from the girl who claimed she was raped by the Duke Players.It seems they have a double standard.Perhaps the media should just ignore them and not give them any coverage. Perhaps that bring about fair play for all races.
Andrew, Altoona, , Pa.
I could care less about Imus. I stooped low one day and saw his program and anyone who saw it more than once deserved what they got.
Al Sharpton is a race baiter and was more concerned about the condition of their hair than the fact that Imus called this group of young ladies "hos".If Imus were talking about my daughters I'd kick his butt.
Sharpton was only looking for more press and tube time; he has no interest in the feelings of these young girls!
Roy Singletary, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
I believe Imus is funny in his own way, people are to uptight
about him. Anybody care about our troops being killed daily
in other parts of the world. Why don't we get upset at the government about these situtations. I wish him well, look at what he does for the ill children that we brought onto this world. I am a proud Native American (Navajo). He has my blessing in whatever he decides to do.
Joanne Begay , Grand Ronde,, OREGON
Al Sharpton, who has made more than his share of racist inflammatory remarks (remember Tawana Brawley, anyone?) is such a hypocrite. He achieved his popularity playing to the lowest common denominator in his audience, just like Imus did. I don't listen to either of them, but I think that the marketplace should determine who goes and who stays. It's all about the ratings, folks.
Sally, Great Neck,
I will not watch MSNBC anymore.
I watched IMUS every morning. I am sure I can fine another station. I am sure if a Black person would have said this about a white person nothing would have been done.
What about the white boys in NC that was arrested for rape. Is that OK. No it's not.
It's about time the people in USA stop calling everything
races. I have some very nice black friend and they are not alway trying to get on the news like the Rev's.
Shirley, Stewartstown, PA
I personally think the things this guy is reported as saying (I've never listened to him directly) are horrible; now, what about "free speech". I don't agree with so many hateful, ugly, ignorant things a lot of people say, but they do have a right to say them. I am still in America, huh????
C. F. Bowman, Gold Hill,
This kind of rude, crude and vile behavior cannot and must not be tolerated. We are in the 21st century, where times HAVE CHANGED, and the ways of the white masters on the plantations no longer exist or apply.
Don Imus is completely out of touch with the real world.
America has become a great country of inter-racial people, that such racial bias has no place.
M Harding, Phoenix, USA/Arizona
a real jerk at times but a good person. what "news reporter will ask the pols the really tough questios.? as the i man says, "they are such suck ups at news confrences. loved his take on g. bush and vice pres. who at his level or what media person has done more to raise money for such great causes? , who the bigiot revrend Al, or rub blud on my shirt jessie jackson. the country has taken a big hit. ggod luck I Man
tom, coventry, r.i.
Imus is not one of my favorite talk show people but he blows, Okra and the rest of the self-serving people out of the water. I don't think he should have said what he did but what he did say we all think. Stern is god and Imus is the good old boy in the small town cafe....I admire both.
Kimbo, sturgis , mi
Imus has finally been fired. Hooray! This is a long overdue step in the right direction for bringing some small amount of decency and civility back to the airwaves. Now PLEASE take out Stern next!
Craig Vaughn, Greenfield Center, NY - USA
This is censorship. This country was founded on freedom of speech, regardless of agreeance or disagreeance with what was being said. Beyond that, we pay radio hosts as entertainers, and encourage them to keep pushing the boundaries of shock value. Its not fair to fire a man for doing what you encouraged and paid him to do. For what it is worth, I believe strongly in equality and do not promote prejudice, but we constantly hear racist comments against whites, made openly by the black community. What is the difference? Maybe if we were more able to let the comments of a paid entertainer "roll off our backs," it would be one step closer to breaking down the divide between the races. Imagine that, exchanging jokes without fear of prosecution by your peers and the media.
Kimberly, Canandaigua, NY
Well I always thought someone was nuts for allowing Imus and his type on the air in the first place. Someone has to defend DECENCY! There are more who should go; individuals and shows. "The Best Damn Sport Show Ever"---so degrading and filled with swearing. Television at night starting at 10PM is belittling to females and even men, with body parts displayed freely. Jerry Springer's show still stinks.
Decency is, was, and always will be, the right way to be, the right kind of life to live. Where is the line between decency and indecency? Well it is really thin and close on either side of the line is certain to be some shade of gray. These days, the line is pretty low into the realm of indecency, and needs to be raised for the good of our society.
Imus served no good purpose. Just because people listened to him doesn't mean he needs to be given $8 million dollars and the public spotlight. Hurray for his firing.
LaVern Strawn, E. Wenatchee, , WA
We are in the USA where there is supposed to be freedom of speech, Imus should not have been fired, we are in America, let the viewers decide.,
Marilyn, McHenry, IL
Why is everybody so shocked? This is Don Imus. He makes a living by being obnoxious. The women at Rutgers University should use this opportunity to show the world that they are more mature than he is. Accept his apology and get on with their lives. The longer this stays in the media , this guy gets the attention that he craves.
Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA
any country or business that would pay someone $8.00 an hr let alone 8mil a year for his kind of mentality deserves all the negative feedback it gets and then some.
It shows how far this world has gone into mental dacay and
disrespect for human dignity and pride.
Don;t let IMUS shame us anymore.
He looks tired and wired and should be "fired"
David Kelly, TILLSONBURG, Canada