Don Imus Is Gone...Now What?

Jeff Hobbs
April 13 2007, 11:33AM

She said it!!!

jazzi
April 13 2007, 11:36AM

Jasmyne nailed it! Going after Imus & those like him won't change the fact that we've got work to do. As for Kevin Nafff, he's right. This isn't about [white] gays so why should he care? It's our business. We need to care. Do we?

bellah
April 13 2007, 12:48PM

Buju Banton concerts were cancelled. So What?

Charles
April 13 2007, 12:59PM

Thank you, Don Imus. You’ve given us (black people) an excuse to avoid our real problem.

You’ve given Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson another opportunity to pretend that the old fight, which is now the safe and lucrative fight, is still the most important fight in our push for true economic and social equality.

You’ve given Vivian Stringer and Rutgers the chance to hold a nationally televised recruiting celebration expertly disguised as a news conference to respond to your poor attempt at humor.

Thank you, Don Imus. You extended Black History Month to April, and we can once again wallow in victimhood, protest like it’s 1965 and delude ourselves into believing that fixing your hatred is more necessary than eradicating our self-hatred.

The bigots win again...

Read the entire article by clicking on my "red" name.

JaredW
April 13 2007, 1:28PM

I don't understand how this debacle does not involved gay, white men. When Isaiah Washington called his coworker a faggot, many (white)gay organizations decried the fact that some black groups did not disavow Mr. Washington, even though it was not a racial incident. In my mind, hatred is hatred is hatred. If someone hates on women, black or white, it is STILL my fight. If someone hates on a fat person, it is STILL my fight. I am so tired of people thinking that we are absolved from dealing with prejudice and bigotry if it does not involved us directly. I am proud that the National Organization of Women, among other groups, stood with us AS ONE UNIT to decry Imus's rantings. We are all Americans, and should speak out on ALL types of hatred.

Paul
April 13 2007, 1:45PM

The problem is in FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Freedom of speech sets us up for a lot of painful contradictions and the making of excuses for irresponsible behavior by those who will forever "cross the line".

DJ Black Adam
April 13 2007, 2:07PM

Now, we use this momentum and gear our rage towards the companies that support misogyny in rap and R&B music. Black Radio and the corporations that own the stations and their ADVERTISERS.

cmoney
April 13 2007, 2:29PM

What do you mean "so what"? It was important to get rid of Imus. Would she have preferred that he stay on the air and go back to his racist, sexist and otherwise meanspirited and insulting invective? It was important to make a stand against this type of hate speech in the main stream media and I applaud everyone who helped make it happen, especially Al Sharpton. As for the vulgar lyrics and images in Hip Hop, yes, we do need to attack that and I would support any effort to force the corporations that finance and distribute this garbage to the public to reign in their artists. We are partially to blame as Blacks or making and buying this stuff, but much of the blame also must be shared by the multinational corporations like Vivendi and others who finance this garbage. Vivendi bought Seagrams which owns Viacom which owns CBS, BET, MTV, VH1, Infiniti Broadcasting and dozens of record labels and distributors. This is BIG business, not "Peanut" selling CD's out of the back of his car.

Jake
April 13 2007, 2:30PM

It comes as no surprise that the Washington Blade guy wrote, what he did. He lives in a world where he does not deal with anyone black, even in DC of all places and certainly no black women whom he could have asked why the slur hurt. And, hate speech is not free, just ask I Washington about his "freedom" of speech, LOL!

Rosie O'Mouth was the same way, bored and for the life of her loud mouth, negative self couldn't figure out why what he said was wrong, but, children, she was foaming at the mouth over the Isaiah Washington slur. This is one of the reasons, I find most white gays more offensive than the Don Imus' of this country, they are the worst hypocrites of all, and only need to use blacks when they are screaming for their "civil rights," yeah right.

And, if not for Rev Al or Jackson, who was going to call him out, Condo-lee-za Rice? President Bush? Whom?

VERB
April 13 2007, 2:38PM

speak, Black Adam & cmoney!

@ Jake...
Imagine the reaction from the white gay community and Rosie had Imus said something about gay ppl that got mass media attention. Rosie woulda had a cow right on the View's set.

Derrick from Philly
April 13 2007, 2:40PM

I just posted on Andy Towleroad's blog concerning this Imus affair. Someone posted an essay by some black conservative on the issue; and, of course, he attacked Jackson and Sharpton. I asked white gays, why do you hate Jackson and Sharpton so much when they embraced equal rights for gay people long before it became popular? Seems some white gay brothren place skin color solidarity before sexual identity: something I was accused of for forgiving Isaiah Washington. What could I do, the chocolate cutie was practically begging to be forgiven. Hell, I'd forgive ol' ass Imus, if gave a damn whether he lived or died.

kaccompany
April 13 2007, 2:46PM

In his defense, Al Sharpton has been talking about the violent nature of rap music for years. But the truth is... he is a clown and shouldn't be lecturing anybody about anything. The things he said publicly about the Duke Lacrosse players were infinitely more personal and damaging and I have yet to hear an apology from him.

Tyler
April 13 2007, 2:50PM

Going after Imus isn't easy. Going after him the way we did was Easy. THis is bigger than him. And it's definitely bigger than rap. That you both don't see this is sad. No one is disputing that we should be boycotting corporate rap.

But the blame falls on the corporations who promote it far more than the rappers themselves. Let's stop acting like our problems aren't endemic of larger problems in the nation.

This is not an either/or thing. Both white racism and sexism and black misogyny need to be eradicated. But whether or not Imus is on your radar is irrelevant. He's on the radars of millions of white people who still hold the bulk of power in this nation.

The seriousness of this issue is cheapened when you insinuate that the problems in the black community (and there are many, no disputing that) around sexism 1) are more serious than the larger problems of sexism and racism and 2) somehow legitimize sexism in the larger community. Not our fault white men see black women the way they do

Equalnox
April 13 2007, 2:59PM

1. I'm sure at least one of those girls is a Hoe. Being a Hoe is not necessarily a bad thing. If this were not a man's world, being a Hoe would mean that no man has more power over you than you have over yourself.

2. I'm sure that if one of those sweet innocent Rutger's girls were to see me and my partner walking down the street holding hands, she would be calling us faggots.

3. The day that black people stop straightening their hair, coloring their hair blonde and red, and wearing wigs made from caucasian and asian hair, is the day that we'll truly be free. When that day comes, when some crippled up old fart or some baggy-pants wearing thug calls us nappy headed hoes, we'll laugh in his face and keep on walking because we'll love ourselves too much to allow anyone to take our joy away from us.

saint james
April 13 2007, 3:01PM

To Be Sung to the Traditional Tune of The Negro Gospel Song: "AAAAA-AA-MEN, AAAAA-AA-MEN, AAAA-AA-MEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!"

Reggie
April 13 2007, 3:10PM

I was surprised when Imus got fired. But I wasn't surprised when he got suspended for two weeks. On the other hand, I do think that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton went a little bit too far in getting Imus fired. Where were they at to protest the assult and murder of Michael Sandy last year? Why aren't they trying to campaign against the use of "ho" and "bitches" in the black community? Why aren't they working on the issue of social security and education.

Many people want to see Barack Obama as president. With the primaries less than a year from now, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson might be hurting Obama's chances of winning the Democratic nomination for president with their actions.

Luther
April 13 2007, 3:16PM

Derrick, I have seen you battle those bigots on Andy's site, they are AWFUL with their comments which are as racist as they come, and that's a shame, as his site is very informative, too bad none of his readers can grasp what he puts out other than white gays seem to deserve special rights.

And, I agree, with the thought that this is a issue that is far bigger than Mr Imus and the rest of the so called "shock jocks." Black people have got to get back to the point where we embrace our blackness and celebrate the fact that we have survived 400 years of people like Imus and the rest of the people in this country wanting us to be gone.

Lose the n-word, derogatory names for beautiful black women from where all humans came from, nappy hair and all, lose the intolerance of gays, and most of all stop the self hate.

Peace

Kenny
April 13 2007, 4:26PM

AMEN!!!

Ostend Street
April 13 2007, 4:40PM

I loved your article. Thanks for putting it right where it belongs. We demean ourselves in so many ways that the world doesn't even respect us. I heard a young black mother in a local mall call her child a nappy headed ho in the year 2007. We seem to be breeding ignorance. No, the ladies of Rutgers did not deserve the comment and the rest of us don't need to stop at the red light and hear, bitches, hos, niggas from some car radio on blast. Even when we try to block out the sound by rolling up our windows the rap music blaring from the car next to ours can still be heard. We dare not say anything, because we are quick to harm or insult our own in a hurry. Our ancestors must be weeping.

Terrence
April 13 2007, 4:53PM

While I agree with some sentiments written by Jasmyne, I think she generalizes when she says,

"young Blacks don’t know and could care less about a Don Imus. But they do know who all of these rappers are? While they can’t seem to master the English language they can somehow recite all of the lyrics to some of the most despicable chart topping songs out there. Now why is that?"

Harsh.

Not all young blacks are like she describes. I've encountered many. I find it amazing that Imus has managed to make black people feel almost as miserable as he does, when his own words caused this.

But since we are discussing it, how about sistahs taking some accountablity for how they are presented in videos and song? Foxy, Lil' Kim, and the "Bad B" Trina.

While Black men, like myself, should respect women AND vice versa, and all men and women should give respect where respect is due, the videos Tip Drill (Nelly) and Area Codes (Ludacris) could have never been made without the participation of those sistahs.

JaredW
April 13 2007, 5:25PM

Why SHOULDN'T we confront the rappers who spew their ridiculous lyrics? You can't attack Vivendi and BMG/Sony head on---you go after the little fish to GET the big fish. Few people attacked CBS and MSNBC; they focused their attacks on Imus (and his advertisers). If we stopped buying CD's and downloading songs that poison our minds, then the companies will drop the artists. Simple. I am not going to sue McDonalds and Frito-Lay for making people fat; I am going to tell people to stop eating that junk (not me, though, cuz I loves me some Cheetos and a Big N' Tasty). The blame for misogynistic, homophobic, and just STUPID lyrics from our entertainers falls squarely on the ARTISTS' shoulders---record companies will put out what SELLS, and I guess these silly lyrics are what people (black, white, and in between) are buying.

J
April 13 2007, 5:50PM

This has nothing to do with free speech.

He lost a radio gig.

He wasn't dragged out of the studio by cops and raped with an AK.

It's amazing that people can ignore everything that's wrong in this world, and all that's been done to get us to this point.

"That damn hippity hop" aka "evil nigra music" is to blame for all of our problems right?

Black people were throwing the n-word around LONG before Gay Z was born.

Violence and misogyny were embraced and glorified way before Snoop picked up a mic.

Claiming that coming down on rappers is a solution to many of our problems is just as silly as marching against gay marriage.

cmoney
April 13 2007, 6:02PM

I have to give another round of applause to another "Al" who has been overlooked in this fight against Don Imus: Al Roker. Al Roker is one of the NBC insiders who came out forcefully for Imus' termination (probably because he has personally encountered some of Imus' racism in the studio). Fat, friendly, non-threatening to White folk Al Roker put his foot in Don Imus' ass! On his Today Show blog, he caught hell and received hundreds of hateful messages from his "fans". He basically said he was doing it for his daughters. He stuck his neck out and risked his reputation and career for this cause. Where was Tim Russert? Brian Williams? These White males were the same ones smiling in Donn Imus's face every morning and never called for his termination. If and when the White establishment comes after him for revenge, I hope that the Black community will have his back.

wwordzbyche
April 13 2007, 7:03PM

@ J, you ain't said nuthin' but the TRUTH, Main!

Firstly let me say that I am relieved that CBS, MSNBC and Imus' sponsers cut him off. Cracking down on rappers for not having any good sense, and self respect will not eradicate the many problems in our community. Secondly we as a people have to do as Luther said: "Lose the n word, derogatory names for beautiful black women from whence we all humans came, nappy hair and all, lose the intolerance of gays and most of all stop the self-hatred"

Now that's a dialectic dialogue just waiting to happen.

Lastly, this argument that Jasmyne is presenting is rather circular. I mean think about it: Black self-hatred embodied in today's popular Hip-Hop gansta psuedo-culture started from... Yes, four hundred years later we are still hating on each other while the Massa is making $$ off of most of our silly antics. Best believe that's right.

I'm thankful for Mr. Imus bigoted faux pas, now maybe we can come together and fix our issues. We got plenty.

alicia banks
April 13 2007, 7:11PM

ditto keith!

censorship is contagious

what does this mean for other talk hosts like me?

and imus has many clones who look just like us...

see my imus column now
www.geocities.com/ambwww/imus.htm

peace
ab

Mel Smith
April 13 2007, 7:20PM

I will read all the comments later on(I'm tired from work!) But, I don't think Imus should have been fired. He apologized countless times, and I believe in forgiveness. Imus have targeted various ethnic or people of all colors, throughout his career. Guess what? People are still going to disrespect us black gay folks, and life goes on. It is ok to forgive people, when someone make a offensive statement. We correct that person. When a person has not learned from their mistake, then that person should be fired. From a social perspective, this incident has pushed our skin color behind, another 10 years or so. Imus did hurt those girls, and he apologized for his remarks, countless times. Him being fired, just made the situation worse. Other people forgive and move on. Black people do not. But when Time Hardaway made those comments against us, black heterosexual did not have our backs.

Kola Boof
April 13 2007, 7:56PM

What continually comes out of your mouth...is what will come into being. Even your Holy Bible states (practically verbatim) that what goes INTO your mouth is less important than what comes out of it.

I don't know how African people could forget the all-powerfulness of "THE CHANT", and this is why I have to disagree with those who think the Corporate Power Structure is MORE important than the rappers themselves. I have been all over the world, and I have NEVER seen a country where black women were more hated, defiled and lied on than they are in America---and mostly, by black men. The rappers express that hatred, and what is tragic---they are now passing this self-hate to millions of illiterate, dirt poor African teenagers---WHO, if this were 30 years ago---would be receiving messages of affirmation from Malcolm X, John Coltrane and Nina Simone. What Jasmyne wrote, I have been writing in my books for 15 years now...so of course (as usual) I agree with her.

J
April 13 2007, 8:52PM

I agree that hip hop(or pop music as well as the taste of the public)needs to change, but why don't we ALSO address other entertainers?

Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Bruce Willis, AHHnold, Stallone, and etc. have fed the public the same crap we hear on the radio. Scarface is a bible to a lot of these clowns. I'm in no way spitting on those actors or their work, but why is their art acceptable? Sure, they're actors, but really aren't rappers just WWE actors running around in "thug drag?"

Lois
April 13 2007, 9:05PM

First off I don't think that this boob should have been fired, he could have done something to make this wrong right, but, as usual, the knee jerk reaction is to get rid of the offender without looking as to why they feel so free to spew hate.

Second, hip hop and "gangsta" rap is a bunch of silly little boys who had no real men in their lives as children to show them what how a real man treats a woman, and hence the disdain and hatred of women. I don't think they should be censored per se, but, that trash needs to be regulated, and not in full pubic light, just like the FCC needs to crack down on black radio for he negative trash is spews as well.

When decent hard working young black women going to collge, working 2 and 3 jobs, are called ho's for laughs, or art, its a sick sad shame on America, and for that one fool Snoop, the same "ho's" in the hood are usually the only ones working, so, just who are they taking money from? Wanna be pimps and gangstas?

Kola Boof
April 13 2007, 10:07PM

I do think it was CRUCIAL for Imus to be fired....because by firing him, it's given millions of voiceless young black women the "permission" and the courage to stand up for themselves and it's sent the message worldwide that these labels being casually attached to black women's humanity are WRONG.

Though Jasmyne Cannick, Alicia Banks and Kola Boof TYPES may be strong and opinionated---the MAJORITY of black inner city women are not "developed", do not have good self image and very often are POWERLESS against the "image-making" that Hip Hop does to them. These women will call themself "bch & ho" because that's all they know and our community has CONDONED it. This media firestorm and the firing of Don Imus did far more than any Black Woman Activist ie. bell hooks could do, because very unfortunately--until WHITE PEOPLE blow on our food, most blacks won't eat. Whatever revolution comes from this would not have occurred without the AFFIRMATION of Imus's actual firing. We have BLACK MEN to thank for that.

Nigel
April 13 2007, 11:52PM

Though I know that there are problems and faults on either side of this issue, I too think that Imus deserved to be fired.

Whatever Imus's misguided perceptions of blacks & women, (and I'm sure he is not the only one) to me the issue here is WHAT IS and IS NOT acceptable for public and cable broadcast. As a Canadian observing this inccident, I find it appaling that it takes the mobilization of a community and the abandonment of advertisers for the networks to come to a decition on this. WHERE IS THE FCC?! They were quick to jump down MTV and Janet's throat after nipplegate why are they so silent on this and why is everyone ignoring that fact! If the FCC can't mobilize to deal with issues like this on a major mainstream network, then their mandate as an institution needs SERIOUS re-evaluation!.

K
April 14 2007, 12:09AM

re Ms Cannick's assessment that "Imus is a nobody to me. He wasn’t even in my realm of consciousness until all of this madness kicked off." Imus might not have been in her realm of consciousness, but he and a dime a dozen other DJs like him are certainly all over the airwaves otherwise. I cannot name a single major radio station where I can be sure I haven't heard something racist or sexist or homophobic come out the mouths of their discjockeys nearly every damn day.
My reaction to Imus being fired was also "so what" - because what's the loss of one small-minded man in a haystack of the same?

Lois
April 14 2007, 1:02AM

K, while I agree he is one of many, maybe he will start a trend to show that free speech does not equate to hateful speech. Its a shame that a old black tradition of "playing the dozens" has evolved to the most vile of vile, rap and people feel free to spew what they hear.

Until black women stand up to these no good thugs that call them ho's and other nasty names in that "music" I for one don't see it going away, and since its permeated in this society, the only thing you are going to see is a whole lot of white folks having sympathy for Imus and can't see what the hoopla is all about. When Rosie O'Donnell saw nothing wrong with what he said under the free speech guise, that spoke volumes about just how unimportant and still how low black women remain in this country.

But, by Monday this will not even be on the radar, everyone will be back to Sanjaya and AI, yet another mere blip in the uneasy way this country still deals with racism, and sexism, talk about it for a week, and then everything is fine.

TITI
April 14 2007, 10:11AM

I'M WITH IN THIS SISTER.I HOPE THAT BLACK MAN AND WOMEN OUGH TO REALISE THAT WE ARE OUR OWN WORST ENEMIES. MOST OF THE TIME PEOPLE UNSUSPECTEDLY TREAT YOU THE WAY YOU TREAT YOURSELF. WE ARE ABUSING EACH OTHER,OURSELF AND OUR WOMEN EVERY DAY. THE FATE BLACK WOMEN JOKE ...ETC.. WE HAVE MASTERED THE ART OF SELF-SABOTAGE..WHITE FOLK ARE REALY NOT OUR GREATEST CHALLENGE IN THIS GAME. WE ARE THE PROBLEM, AS LONG WE DO NOT TAKE A LOOK INWARD THERE WILL BE NO REST FROM OUR PAINS AND FAILLURE.

VERB
April 14 2007, 3:40PM

@ J: you said "...why don't we ALSO address other entertainers? Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, Bruce Willis, AHHnold, Stallone, and etc. have fed the public the same crap we hear on the radio. Scarface is a bible to a lot of these clowns."

So should W/we all be watching only romantic comedies and Disney flix? I understand ppl's reasoning, but common sense should kick in at some point. Being a fan of the arts, I resent the notion that W/we need to change absolutely everything (music/art/film/dance)in the world to accommodate those too stupid to make distinctions between reality and fantasy as well as satire and outright cruelness. WTH? Imus got what he so justly deserved but don't let his ignorance spill over and cloud critical thinking. And yes, "Scarface" is a Bible to an idiot with a limited world view, but all BS aside, the film is a masterpiece. Why should I have to go w/out seeing fine cinema just cuz of the ignorance of others? How is this fair to Me and others like Me?

VERB
April 14 2007, 4:22PM

@ Lois...

You said, "When Rosie O'Donnell saw nothing wrong with what he said under the free speech guise, that spoke volumes about just how unimportant and still how low black women remain in this country."

My personal belief is that Rosie is a kook and hopefully her days are numbered as well. BUT, I don't think Rosie has little concern for Black women more so than the fact that she has to protect her own ass. She knows that she too has been under heavy scrutiny as of late. Remember the "Ching Chong" incident where she immaturely imitated how Chinese speak? She's only looking out for her favorite person in the world, her.

Interestingly enough, I wonder what her reaction would have been had Imus's comments were about gays. She sucks.

Samuel
April 14 2007, 8:32PM

Well, VERB, both Rosie and that guy from the Blade would still be screaming to the high heavens, but, since they have little to no contact with black people, kind of like Imus, they don't find the slur wrong, since I'm sure they feel the same way. Too bad their treasured freedom of speech wasn't accorded to I Washington, and yes, I do believe he was wrong for what he said, but, disagree with the groveling to keep his gig. Same with Imus, I don't think he should have been canned, sometimes being humbled and called out for being a pubic nuisance and bigot has a way of making you look inwards as to why you hate someone based on race, sex or sexual orientation.

All that said, it still shows black people, both straight and gay have to fight for our own freedom and respect in this so called land of the free, since we are still the most hated group around in the eyes of many, all based on skin color, not accomplishments.

Peace.

J
April 15 2007, 2:42AM

VERB

I'm not comparing "Scarface" to Lil Jon's latest popthatass tune.

If we are going to attack hip hop for supposedly making misogyny, violence, and the n-word sexy, how can we ignore films and television?

negro
April 15 2007, 9:42AM

Let me get this straight! An old white guy makes a racist comment but somehow that gets morphed into, hey lets use this as an excuse to attack every rapper out there. I don't know where Ms. Cannick is from but rappers aren't the only ones who use sex and violence to move their product. If you are so worried about women being demeaned then you should start by shuting down the porn industry, then hollywood then maybe you can start beating up on rappers. As for that comment about black kids not respecting anything maybe you haven't being paying attention but white take automatic weapons to school and kill the classmates. How have you exspect Black culture to be respectful and non-violent when the larger culture that it exist within is not?

Erick
April 15 2007, 2:41PM

Thank you again, Jasymne for an excellent, truthful article. Too many of us support and celebrate the belief that being authentically black means being degrading, violent and ignorant. A black man or woman who speaks intelligently and has aspirations of grabbing some of that "American Dream" is instantly labeled as "one of those". Why? We're American citizens and too many of our ancestors fought and DIED for things we take for granted. When I first read stories about Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglas, I cried. These people risked their loves so that future generations of black men and women could participate in society. They risked their lives NOT for street credibility but for the progress of their people and their nation.

Kimberlie
April 15 2007, 3:50PM

Ms. Cannick is right on target. However, in regards to who buys gagsta/sexist/homophobic rap music which is so prominent on BET & MTV it is mostly white youth -- 60% to 75% depending on the study. So al the primarily white males who are using the rap defense to speak up for Imus need to stop their kids from buying it. The events of the past week prove that the market has power.
Imus' comments regarding black female sexuality and what is deemed feminine and therfeore attractive have historical roots. The scientific racism used to justify the enslavement of African people dictated a mantra of inferiority. Black women were hypersexualized (i.e. "hos") to justify the rape of black women. Black features (.i.e. nappy hair ) were rendered animalistic, ape-like, undesirable to further suggest our inferiority. That some rap artist have decied to by into the lie of innate black inferiroity is no suprise although disappointing. Black folks need to STOP buying into the man's image of us and embrace our own.

Erick
April 15 2007, 10:15PM

Thank you, Kimberlie for your comments. You're right about the negative perceptions and attitudes againt black women and it's historical roots. And this does need to be brought to light AND to Don Imus's attention.

jcampbell
April 16 2007, 2:37PM

Re Don Imus debacle: the fact that Don Imus was so socially ignorant to think he could make such a derogatory comment and that it would pass without repercussions, is indicative of a more widespread problem.

It's time we blacks, as a race, took full ownership of how the media -- be it originated by the white press or our own black rap artists -- refers to other blacks and portrays them. The Imus debacle highlights the gross contradiction to have any derogatory term be the sole province of usage for a single group. It is highly divisive when we blacks demand the respect that ought to be accorded to us by other forms of media. Black rap and other public figures should not get a free pass to use derogatory speech.

Equality runs across the board; it's not specialized just to a chosen few. And yes, that means taking rap artists to task as well

George
April 16 2007, 3:16PM

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a.p.
April 16 2007, 7:14PM

This is my thought.....Don Imus made his living for over three decades "running his mouth".....often it is said that it is not just words but the "intention behind them"...for a man who has been juggling words for so long there is nothing that i can fathom that would not allow him to not comprehend the complete "darkness" of those words. Those particular works refer to these young black women basically as ugly black female dogs with absolutely no value. This was not poking fun. Those are statements reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan.

Negro
April 17 2007, 7:06AM

You fools who think Ms. Cannick "nailed it" need to read this Huffington Post blog! This middle aged whte guy actually gets it, what r your excuses?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-landau/free-speech_b_45966.html

edwin greene
April 17 2007, 7:39AM

The mass killings at Virginia Tech yesterday has completely wiped Don Imus' "nappy head hoes" right off the landscape of "mainstream" news interest for the time being and probably for good.

LaRufus
April 17 2007, 9:57AM

I have to say I think its good this is now under the radar in the "mainstream" media, since the tide had shifted to the poor Duke lacrosse boys debacle vs all blacks in general as liars, and the slur against the Rutgers ladies was secondary and irrelevant. Once again, that white privilege rears its ugly head over racism, but, its typical of this country.

jcampbell41
April 17 2007, 10:26AM

I agree with Edwin Greene. The recent student massacre has supplanted Don Imus's case of foot-in-mouth disease in the media. Doubtless this will take some of the media heat from Imus (who was only a catalyst for the larger issue). Yet it is up to we blacks not to let the media's innate fickleness dictate the issues that we ought to pursue and social conditions we must address and rectify. If we, as a people, want to use our economic clout to pressure rap "artists" and others who glorify degradation of blacks in the "entertainment" and other forms of media. The responsibility still rests with us.

Mustafaa Muhammad
April 30 2007, 3:17PM

Peace,

We as black people need a knowledge ofself, understanding of self and appreciation of self. These things lead to us not having to demand respect but command respect by us respecting self. Brother and sieter rappers need to stop falling into the game of our self destruction.

"As a person thinketh in their heart so are they" Bible

What you see on these records is the manifestation of the warped mind that has been produced under the U.S.A.