Imus Interject !
As a rule I don't usually editorial-ize, but I find the whole Don Imus thing hard to ignore. It's blown so out of proportion, one cannot tune in to a radio or television station without being force-fed slants on the story.
I can neither support nor condone Imus' comments. I am not a fan of him or his brand of "humor." Sure his remarks were sexist and racially insensitive, but he's been making similar remarks for the twenty plus years he's been on the airwaves.
What bothers me about the whole affair is the blatant hypocrisy of the reactionaries that has brought about Imus' downfall. Al Sharpton, a well-documented Anti-Semite, has been a regular guest on Imus In The Morning. Jesse Jackson refers to New York City as "Hymie Land."
It is a clear case of a double standard run amok. Had either Sharpton or Jackson made the same remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team, would there have an uproar over the matter? Absolutely not!
While the Rutgers women faced reporters and expressed their feelings about Imus' remarks, it should be noted that not a single one of them even knew who Imus was. They'd never heard of him. You see these women, intelligent women by the way, are not in the demographics of those who listen to his program. Had the PC police not grabbed the bull by the horns, it is quite possible these girls would have never learned of the remarks in the first place.
One of the women said that she was "scarred for life" because of this. Puh-lease ! This woman, who plays sports for a major college, has never been called a "Ho" or worse? I defy her to tell me that her iPod is completely devoid of hip-hop and rap music. What are the odds that she's never heard the lyrics of Snoop Dogg, or whatever he calls himself these days?
Yes, Imus's comments were out of line. They were wrong because he's white and most of the Rutgers girls team are not. That folks, is a double standard, no matter how you slice it!
Why aren't the PC police jumping all over Jesse Jackson when he calls New Yorkers 'Hymies?' Why aren't they lashing out at the one's who are really scarring their youth, like Snoop Dogg and his ilk with the demeaning lyrics contained in their music?
Yes, Imus made a mistake. He made a bad joke without thinking. It has cost him dearly. I can't say I'm certain that he was sincere but he has apologized. Then he turned around and made a bigger faux pas - he apologized to Al Sharpton no less!
Most people who are familar with the name Al Sharpton, learned of him from his many appearances as a guest on Imus In The Morning. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you...! How's that for irony?
