This is Why We Hot
Khalid on the Imus situation
By Khalid Salaam
A lot of people seem to think this is about two things, context and freedom of speech. The consensus is that yes radio personality Don Imus and his show producer were both incredibly wrong for making such offensive statements and that offering a heartfelt apology suffices as a decent punishment. Especially when you consider all the great philanthropic deeds he’s done. He was only joking and in the context of being a shock jock he has offended everyone, so why is it that only certain segments of the society get so upset. Just laugh it off and keep on moving with your everyday life. People also want to remind us that this is America and that while you may disagree with someone’s assessment or opinion about something they have the right to say it. The constitution has their back damn it so stop complaining!
But it’s not complaining when the empirical evidence supports your anger and frustration. When in the year 2007 the same situations occur as if it was still the 1970’s. When people express such a level of ignorance and prejudice that to let it just slide would be an injustice to yourself and your loved ones, not to mention to all decent people. Maybe had Imus just said, “ho’s” then he could have tried to sell us on the joke premise. I certainly have used the word ho before, both in jest and not in jest. I don’t say it much but I get the context thing. I however never use it against people I don’t know (if use a derogatory term towards someone there is a reason…) nor would I ever use it at he office or in my writing. Because I know full well that it near impossible for people who don’t me intimately to understand what parameter I use to contextualize something. So for him to call the players from the Rutgers University women’s basketball team “ho’s” and then say it was a joke means nothing to me. But he made it worse by inserting the term “nappy-headed” into the equation. How can he think that’s an okay thing to say? He then went on to say that when Rutgers played the University of Tennessee last week for the championship it was comparable to a fight between the jigaboos and the wannabee’s. A reference to Spike Lee’s classic movie “School Daze” in which Lee explains the upward mobility politics that exist between Black people from different socioeconomic classes. Look I won’t lie, I don’t know much about Don Imus. I know he has a radio show and is an old white man. Other than that I won’t proclaim to be an expert on who he is. But I doubt that he has the knowledge to really know what he’s talking about and I know he doesn’t have the authority to make such a callous assessment. He’s making a statement regarding a dynamic he couldn’t possibly have the faculties to comprehend. Namely, the beauty dynamic that has existed for centuries in which black women and their natural beauty have had to take a backseat to the self-anointed eurocentric standard of physical acceptance. Not to mention it’s an examination of the color caste system that took root in this country because of white men’s guilt in seeing their progeny living harshly. It was easier for these light complexioned (but still black people under law) to gain access to a better way of life. This goes to the very heart of racism in this country and Imus chooses to make light of it by demeaning a team full of scholar-athletes who just competed for the national championship? Wow.
I watched the Today Show this morning and Matt Lauer got at him pretty harshly. Imus responded by saying it was stupid and it was a mistake and that he feels that his 2-week suspension is justified. He then played himself by saying yeah he called these women ho’s but that they shouldn’t be shocked because they’ve been called worse and demeaned by black men. Damn.
Because now he’s somehow justifying it by again making an assessment on something he knows nothing about. All of a sudden you’re some kind of expert of black male/female relationships? The worst part about this situation is that how he feels is how much of America feels. Not about the Rutgers team but about assessing things about Black culture and then pontificating about it like you are an expert. Acting like you’re John Hope Franklin is incredibly arrogant and offensive and that’s why people are pissed and calling for his job. Something that I agree with and hopefully this won’t happen again. But it probably will.
129 Responses to “This is Why We Hot”
Apr.10 at 1:09 pm
AP says:
first!
i love how when sharpton had him on his show he always left the room during commercial breaks…
Apr.10 at 1:11 pm
Dennard C says:
Khalid, I enjoyed reading your column. We have a long way to go in society, yet, I am starting to believe we will never get there. It’s a white man’s world and always has been, so this type of stupidity will always be accepted.
Apr.10 at 1:24 pm
Alex says:
Yes, we have the freedom of speech, but with freedom comes the responcibility. And Imus acted very irresponcible with his words. He must’ve forgot what he look like. Old, white man looking like a cowboy from the south. Anything even remotely racist from his mouth would be blown out of proportions. If Chris Rock said what he said, everyone would’ve laughed it off and it would’ve been cool. May be Imus did mean it as a joke and there was nothing malicious behind his words, but when it comes from someone like him it will always be interprited in the worst possible light.
Apr.10 at 1:27 pm
Max Airington says:
I think Imus was talking about rap music, and isnt he right in a way? How can anyone deem him unfit for the airwaves and then turn to Hot 97? BET? J-j-j-jew unit?
Apr.10 at 1:34 pm
jbn74sb says:
What people consitently fail to realize is that our freedom of speech merely protects us from censorship from the government. For the most part, your employer, your school, and society at large (basically any group aside from government) are not liable in any way for infringing on your “freedom of speech”. Imus should be fired immediately.
Apr.10 at 1:48 pm
Ryan Jones says:
You’ve disappointed me, Khalid. Based on the headline, I was expecting more strange-looking sneakers and hand-painted shirts. Jerk.
Apr.10 at 2:00 pm
Eoin says:
I’m white.I listened to what Imus said, and he just sounded so out of touch with reality, it was amazing.Whether or not he is fired, it was a sad statement about him personally that he would think and say such things.Him being fired, in my opinion, while justified, doesn’t help the overall problem.People not using racial stereotypes is good, but people just not thinking like that would be a lot better.I think almost everyone is guilty of stereotyping in some way-maybe not over race, but over other things.I’m not surprised that, in this era of media saturation, there are people in the public eye who still set a negative example in this manner, but I am very disappointed nonetheless.Hopefully things will improve, but until peopler of all creeds recognise that they are far more alike than dissimilar, this kind of thing will always be a problem.
Apr.10 at 2:01 pm
Max Airington says:
Im just wondering if all the same people were calling for Whitlock’s head too…
Apr.10 at 2:07 pm
cb says:
Whitlock or Miss Jones… tell me whats worse - what imus said or this garbage from miss jones… “All at once you could hear the screaming chinks and no one was safe from the wave there were africans drowning, little chinamen swept away you could hear god laughing, “swim you b*tches swim” So now you’re screwed, it’s the Tsunami you better run or kiss your ass away, go find your mommy I just saw her float by, a tree went through her head and now the children will be sold to child slavery”
Apr.10 at 2:20 pm
mark says:
so if I understand this all : somewhere there is a list of words that cannot be said unless you have certain qualifications — like if you are black you can drop ho, the N-word, B*tch, etc….
If you are Hispanic - then you can drop the Wetback, spick etc —
Asians can drop — all the chinc — ching chong chang comments and white people are fair game for everyone - there are no restrictions - anyone can drop honkey - white trash — cracker etc… no restrictions there. well who has this list ? can it be published so we all know the punishments and the list of banned words and for whom they are banned? I would like to have this list please….
Apr.10 at 2:35 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
max people have thought in these ways before rap existed, what about that?
Apr.10 at 2:47 pm
Max Airington says:
Which ways? Racist? Sexist? Homophobic? Violent? Regardless, it’s the fact that these thoughts are now packaged and shipped off as entertainment for mass consumption. In a “free” society dominated by media, these types of words ultimately become a contribution to public discourse and are used as a reference point, or even worse as a learning tool for many. More importantly they are used as a springboard for this culture of white victimhood. Did Imus swipe a credit card down a black woman’s ass? Didn’t he reference a Spike Lee film? Who’s really being disrespectful?
Apr.10 at 2:57 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Just to keep it light — because I love you both — I think it would be terrific if Imus tried the credit card swipe when he meets with the RU players. I’m sure C. Viv would understand.
Apr.10 at 2:58 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I’m just amazed that Imus is still on the air, period. I remember listening to him as a kid growing up on Long Island (when he was still on WNBC). He’s no Howard Stern.
Apr.10 at 2:58 pm
Max Airington says:
Nothin but love here, and a Rutgers “tip drill” would be hi-f’in-larious.
Apr.10 at 2:58 pm
mark says:
sure profanity existed - but it wasn’t marketed to the youth as mainstream. I remember when I was a kid and I was watching the Jeffersons - that episode when he found out Marin Luther King got shot and George dropped a curse word — which was a first for me to hear on TV… and it was a tame one — but now you can say just about anything on TV man.. it is mainstream - video games - rap music - movies, TV - it is commercial and so is sex.
Apr.10 at 3:00 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And here’s the thing—if Chris Rock said it, it may have been funny. Don Imus, 65-year-old white man with no connection to black culture (or basketball, for that matter), not so much. Does that mean there’s a double standard? Not really. I just think that context matters. Oh yeah, I still think that Al Sharpton’s a pompous, self-serving windbag. That’s OK, right?
Apr.10 at 3:01 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And oh yeah oh yeah—I hope one of the Rutgers players shanks him.
Apr.10 at 3:02 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Max are you aware that white women are disrespected by white men as well? c’mon dude you’re not getting it. Look i have my beef with rap music and all music when its irresponisble. All media for that matter. And so what he referenced a spike lee movie? Max do you not understand my blogs point? Its about authority and who does and does not have it. Like for instance say i commented on the complexities of the ukraine’s political relationship with russia. i then made judgements about this. well what gives me the right? i’m realistic about certain words. n-, c-, etc. i can listen to them without getting upset. but the context matters. see?
Apr.10 at 3:07 pm
mark says:
Khalid - you are fooling yourself - the context does not matter nearly as much as the person saying the word and what they look like. If it really was about the context for you Khalid then you would be speaking out to protect Don Imus since his show s shock jock comedy. Bring some intellectual honesty to the table man -
Apr.10 at 3:08 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I think it also has a lot to do with a generation gap, and people like Imus not realizing that something like that might be construed as extremely offensive. He can talk all he wants about having black kids come stay at his ranch (so did Michael Jackson, but that’s besides the point), but he’s led the sheltered life of a white multi-millionaire for DECADES now. Which doesn’t justify what he said, but I think it explains it a little. There’s a major cultural disconnect. That said, I think his punishment should be he has to broadcast live from a project apartment in Newark all summer.
Apr.10 at 3:08 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
And mark, part of the problem was IT WASN’T FUNNY.
Apr.10 at 3:12 pm
H to the izzo says:
Does Konate now get a royalty because of this? I think that people will accept this type of comment if it is either funny or interesting look at Chris Rock or other comedians it works for them but his was just some very bad attempt at trying to be relevant to a changing America where black culture is more widespread to people who don’t really want to know about it.He was one step away from calling his producer a Cracker Ass Cracker-that would have been funny
Apr.10 at 3:13 pm
mark says:
Russ -
Some of Chris Rock’s stuff isn’t Funny - now is Mencina’s but that is still the context - it is still the intent. Heck was Hillary funny when she talked about your boy working at the gas station on the corner? Generation gap - that is a S T R E T C H… It has to do with the social movement of this country - and the damage that the politically correct agenda has and is doing.
Apr.10 at 3:14 pm
mark says:
H to the Izzo — I agree that would have been funny
Apr.10 at 3:14 pm
Max Airington says:
Context matters, but my point was that everyone should be held equally responsible for their public offerings. So what he referenced a Spike Lee movie? In his mind it’s what gave him the permission to make those comments. They were within CONTEXT. Like Russ said, if Rock said it, alot more people would have been laughing. If any black radio personality said anything about “white hoes” without any reference at all, there would be little to no furor. THATS what the players said they were upset about at their press conference. “Why are we hoes ?” “Is your daughter a ho?” As white men and black men sit and argue about this issue, women will continued to be referred to as hoes long after the discussion ends. You admitted as much yourself.
Apr.10 at 3:16 pm
Max Airington says:
None of us have the right to use that word and we do. Frequently. But we can get upset at Imus for making off color remarks about blacks? Wheres the context?
Apr.10 at 3:25 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
So wait—if I intend to be funny, and go up on stage somewhere (or type up a post) making fun of Jews and the Holocaust in really offensive terms, that would be OK?
Apr.10 at 3:25 pm
mark says:
Max - You live in a dreamworld– people held equally responsible for what they say ?
I already agreed context matters but not nearly as much as the person saying it. Imus is a shock jock - the context he used the phrase in was for his show - shock jock comedy and you still have issue with it…yes if Chris Rock said it — you would be laughing. Another issue is the perceived intent- that is you perceive Imus to be racist because he is a white - rich - cowboy — but you would not perceive Chris Rock that way — he is black - rish - actor / comedian / loud guy.
Apr.10 at 3:26 pm
James says:
I woulld argue that the freedom of speech issue is not the issue here. No one is arguing that he may not say whatever he likes, but that he shouldn’t be employed based on his commentary
Apr.10 at 3:26 pm
mark says:
Don’t people make fun of the holocaust all the time ? Mel Gibson says it and it is a problem - Borat or Chelsea Hander make a jew joke and it is funny.
Apr.10 at 3:27 pm
mark says:
James - should Rosie still be emplyed ? Bill Maher? Chris Rock ? I mean Should Jessie Jackson still be a reverand as a proven adulter?
Apr.10 at 3:32 pm
Max Airington says:
Im not trying to promote anarchy, or a dreamworld. Im just saying that irresponsible speech is irresponsible speech whether youre referring to someone’s race, sex, sexual orentation, religion, weight, whatever. Everyone misspeaks and it’s difficult to place transgressions in proper context, cause people of similar backgrounds may have different sensibilities. Just because someone is white and makes those comments it has a perceived intent of racism but some could say that a self hating black person could make the same statement and it would be equally offensive. We all end up sounding like hypocrites.
Apr.10 at 3:34 pm
Chief says:
Shock Jock?
Fuck you! Racism is not tolerable on a fucking Radio STATION!
People have rights, and if anyone feels that they’re rights were violated by this, then Imus should be fired. End of Fucking Story okay?
And don’t try and justify what Imus does with Rap. Man doesn’t even listen to it. But he somehow learnt racial slurs. So i don’t see why your protecting him. Do you like to bring up years of degradation. the fact that none has stepped up and ever apologized for Slavery? Never mind the fact that this country was stolen from its people. and put on reserves?
White America needs to fucking wake up, you guys don’t rule the world anymore. It’s our world now too.
Apr.10 at 3:35 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
First off Chris Rock doesn’t have a license to say everything. There are plenty of black people who don’t like some of the stuff he says. Some of it is generational and some of it is different standards of acceptable behavior but everyone isn’t on board. And if a black radio personality had said something about white hoes then that would be wrong as well. But again its the context and if you can’t grasp that then there really much i can say. Context is based on familiarity and intimacy and historical respect and propriety.
Apr.10 at 3:36 pm
Toney Blare says:
I just have a problem when we only talk race when Michael Richards or this Imus dude spew their little hateful “jokes.” There’s never any talk in a larger sense of where we’re at on race, and seeing Sharpton and Jesse Jackson reduced to language police rather than real representatives means the debate stays juvenile and, really, without effect. The idea that hip-hop has something to do with it: look, the sad fact is that most of white america gets their info on black america through the very worst in entertainment and that leads to an expanded, stupid vocabulary swap-meet whereby Karl Rove does some kind of minstrel dance and we accept the pimp as a benign, joke-creature. I had the unfortunate experience of seeing that movie Wild Hogs this weekend. Someone oughta protest Martin Lawerence, he’s prepetuating a lot more ignorance than a barely listened to ashtray-face. My point: yes, this dude should be punished, marginalized. But is he the problem? Really? And if he and Martin are just symptoms, aren’t we just wiping our nose raw? (ok, that metaphor went off but..)
Apr.10 at 3:37 pm
Skillet Forilla says:
More like Imuscumbag
Apr.10 at 3:40 pm
H to the izzo says:
I would like to know why Sacha Baron Cohen hasn’t been ousted for this type of shit too-I mean if there was an award for pepetuater of the year there wouldn’t be much competition.Borat probably the most offensive movie in recent memory and he also perpetuates the black stereotype when playing Ali-G.
The reason Imus is getting it so hard id because he is the stereotype that everyone hates the southern-rich-cowboy-ignorant idiot who and I’m just guessing here probably owns a gun collection
Apr.10 at 3:43 pm
H to the izzo says:
Martin Lawerance hasn’t been relevant since 1998
Apr.10 at 3:47 pm
Max Airington says:
Toney just said what Ive been trying to for a minute. Thank you. The idea of authority and “I can say this and you cant” is troublesome to me. It makes some sense, but its counterproductive at times and a complete shield for ignorace at others. Its the kind of thinking that allows a Whitlock to tell a Zirin to “mind his own business”.
Apr.10 at 3:51 pm
mark says:
Chief you just offended me so in your words you should be banned from posting - and if we lived by that rule ,
“People have rights, and if anyone feels that they’re rights were violated by this, then Imus should be fired” Which is universal I assume not just against “White America” (man that racism and hate you feel really comes through in your post) - well then nobody would have a job or a forum because anything you might say will offend somebody — and then we fall back on that great right “freedom of speech” and your right Chief -and mine to ignore things that offend us. Like I will ignore you from now on. Khalid - I do get it — just like I said I did and agreed with you to an extent - but if you can’t see the rest of the picture then you never will and you will persist in ignorance. If you cannot see the political motives and undertones at work here then you my friend, are as lost as Imus.
Apr.10 at 4:02 pm
Toney Blare says:
H to I: Re: Borat: What he’s doing is reflecting the way a lot of (mostly) white America views foreigners by embodying one, and thus allowing the people he speaks to to reveal their real feelings (aka clapping for the jew down the well), which are self-implicating. All he did was remove the masks, the people said that shit themselves. Probably the most potent anti-racist comedy ever made.
Also, I’d like to clarify: I’m not saying anyone should be able to say anything on the airwaves: I’m saying that what’s behind it (racism and a class divide) is the serious work for everybody.
Apr.10 at 4:08 pm
Reg says:
Toney has said it best — what Imus said is wrong. But the bigger question is why this issue only comes up on one side of the fence, and always related to semantics of what someone said. I think, if you look back 20 years ago to now, GREAT strides have been made in this country with regards to black-white relations. What troubles me is, like Toney said, the issue is only brought up on one side of the fence. I think Chief’s comments above illustrate what I am talking about. Racism is a two-way street and for us as a country to take the next step, both sides have to be addressed. With all that said, I think it is sad that people make the mistake of thinking that Imus speaks as the voice of “white America”. I long for the day when people my age (27), raised in a non-segregated America, are in leadership positions across the country. Young people are so less inclined to even think about race, and I think as we grow older, the country will be better for it.
Apr.10 at 4:12 pm
James says:
Mark, all of those questions are for those who belonged to the offended constituency. As I said on the other thread, it is a question of how offended a group is. If you’re talking specifically about Maher in regards to Cheney (I don’t know what other recent situation there is), I was offended because he backed off. Dick Cheney is a danger to other human beings, and for that reason, if he were killed, I certainly wouldn’t lose sleep over it. Rosie’s China comments, thats up to those who were offended to put the pressure on. I don’t watch the View, so I don’t really have too much to say about it. I don’t really care that much about Imus either. However, the question of Race relations is definitely something that interests me. As for Jessie Jackson, Martin Luther King did the exact same thing. I still find his public comments on issues of civil rights to the vietnam war are valid. It also doesn’t say anything to me about either man’s ability to be a reverend. It’s a failing of their humanity no doubt, but it is not something I worry about in anyway. Your problem seems to be a bit of an attention deficit problem. You bring up these other characters because you have nothing to contribute directly to Imus’s defence.
Apr.10 at 4:18 pm
H to the izzo says:
Toney:I am aware of this,but the point I was trying to make (badly) was why hasn’t he been the little pet project of a talking head or politician trying to get votes by them saying that what he is doing is an outrage and boycott him and the movie or make a big issue about it,much like O’Reilly did with Ludacris and I garauntee it would have work because people like that and society in general don’t look at things like that as closly as they should and only see the movie at face value and have no clue that the charachter Ali-G was actually his thesis on societies behaviour and class divides.I was just surprised that he wasn’t used as a scape-goat
Apr.10 at 4:21 pm
Max Airington says:
I feel you Izzo, but doesnt that kind of comedy leave a great divide for misinterpretation? Isnt that why Chappelle quit, they were laughing at and not with? Most people dont see the subtle nature of that kind of comedy and just laugh for the raunchy humor. How do we know where to place Imus for certain? Again, Im not for anarchy on the airwaves, but how can we regulate intent? And Toney’s definitely right about larger issues going ignored.
Apr.10 at 4:27 pm
MC5 says:
Chief: If you’re under the impression that the world isn’t run by rich white guys, you’re sadly mistaken. I’m sorry, but that’s how it is.
Apr.10 at 4:28 pm
Toney Blare says:
Izzo: alright, i got you now. i think he was way to difficult for them to handle, had made them look bad already in all the BBC and HBO interviews, and in fact pointed out serious underlying behaviors that they just didn’t want to fck with. like o’reilly and the rest figured it was better to keep out of it while a lot of their followers & colleagues were fooled and outraged.
Apr.10 at 4:29 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Izzo: It’s “satire,” is what Toney is trying to say. And congrats on getting your sailors back, Mister PM.
Anyway, if I may, I’d like to direct this post back to something that’s actually important in the world. When the f*ck are they gonna tell us how Anna Nicole’s baby daddy is?
Apr.10 at 4:29 pm
Ryan Jones says:
“Who,” is what I meant to say. Sarcasm makes my fingers less accurate.
Apr.10 at 4:32 pm
Max Airington says:
Kimmy K and Paris aren’t BFF anymore either. Larger issues are being ignored.
Apr.10 at 4:34 pm
H to the izzo says:
I’d also like to ask something that matters in the world:Is anybody else just sick of Oprah?
Apr.10 at 4:42 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
When Oprah runs for president in 2012 i’m quitting my job and joining her fundraising commitee
Apr.10 at 4:43 pm
allenp says:
Yo Max, they were calling for Tim Hardaway’s head and Michael Ray Richardson sure got his walking papers. If we want to look at too recent incident where somebody made racist or homophobic comments and was punished, those are the two best examples. Besides that, Imus has been making racist comments for a long, long time. But it’s cool, ’cause Chris Rock calls white people crackers. After all, it’s not like mainstream America traffics in stereotypes of blacks on a daily basis. It’s not like we can’t find caricatures of black life on sitcoms and in movies. Hell, the chief adviser to the president wouldn’t dare pretend to be a “gangsta rapper” as a joke for media and government personages.
Apr.10 at 4:47 pm
Ryan Jones says:
I’ll be the sniper on the roof, Khalid, so make sure you don’t accidentally step into my sights.
Apr.10 at 4:49 pm
allenp says:
And Mark, your argument is weak. Reference my earlier point which proves that black people don’t have some special get out of jail free card when it comes to offensive topics, even when they are about other black people. Are were you asleep when the hubub erupted over Bill Cosby and his comments about blacks.
Apr.10 at 4:52 pm
mark says:
allen - your arguement is weaker. I didnt say anything about black people having a get out of jail free card… I pointed out Bill Maher - white) - Rosie (white) and Hardaway — Bill Cosby got called out - which is funny because everything he said was true.
Apr.10 at 4:52 pm
Shiz says:
Can’t get rid of Oprah…She got that loooooong Harpo money…AllenP good point about the Bill Cosby thing…he pissed a lot of black folk right the f off. Even if he was (mostly) right.
Apr.10 at 4:56 pm
Max Airington says:
But Allen thats what makes comedy different. You can always say “I was just joking.” Who’s to say he wasn’t? And why do we accept these “jokes” from some and not others? Sometimes theyre not even jokes, Whitlock practically blanketed an entire culture as hookers, hoes and gangsters and there was outrage, but no one asked for his job as vigorously as they are with Imus. America does traffic in horrible stereotypes of blacks and has for centuries. Which is why Im more concerned with Whitlock’s Black KKK talk. It just breeds more Imuses who feel they have a better understanding of a community and it gives them latitude to repeat such statements.
Apr.10 at 4:56 pm
H to the izzo says:
Since we are talkin about Oprah and presidency I thought I’d ask the question:Who do we have Clinton or Obama
Apr.10 at 4:57 pm
Max Airington says:
And why hasnt anyone heard from Spike on this?
Apr.10 at 4:59 pm
Shiz says:
So I guess that throws the “if Chris Rock” argument right out the window..Cuz if Chris Rock had come off top with some outlandish shit like that, he would’ve got his too. Besides that, Chris Rock is smarter than to say something like that.
Imus pulled a Malibu’s Most Wanted when outta desperation Jamie Kennedy’s character screams out the N word just to get some connection with the audience…So they should just cancel his shit already and let him fade into obscurity…Its already working with Kramer…Michael who? The only Michael Ray I know said, famously, that “this ship be sinkin”…
Apr.10 at 5:01 pm
Shiz says:
If you guys want truly offensive with a capital O (not to be confused with our “O” with the most gangsta-est movie reviews) check out that bitch Lisa Lampanella, or as I like to call her Lisa Lampa-racist. I went to her show here in Rochester and she basically offended everyone she could think of and said it was just “joking”. So what happens when someone takes her seriously, or just simply doesn’t find her shit funny (which I obviously didn’t, though my girl did)? And here its much worse, because at a private show, you know what your gonna get. A semi-racist italian bitch. No biggy. But a radio show that can be picked up by anyone is another topic entirely. Being in radio so long he should’ve known better. And if this isn’t his first time, all the more reason to fire him without prejudice (pun intended).
Apr.10 at 5:03 pm
Shiz says:
Max: Have ya SEEN the Knicks lately? Spike has enough to worry about…
Apr.10 at 5:09 pm
Shiz says:
H to the:
Elections are gonna suck cuz half the dem. vote is gonna be split between Hilary and Obama…Just another republican conspiracy to stay in control of the White House…kidding, kidding…but not really…
Apr.10 at 5:20 pm
Ryan Jones says:
Hey, they just announced who Nicole’s baby daddy is. It’s that one guy. The loser. You’re welcome.
Apr.10 at 5:23 pm
H to the izzo says:
This ones for Ryan
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18039773/
Apr.10 at 5:32 pm
Chris O'Leary says:
Martin Lawrence could be the one thing that unites SLAMonline and the world. Why is this guy still making movies? He’s only capable of four roles: 1. Member of a not that funny cop-tandem 2. out of place black guy, ie Black Knight–”Hey, look! A black guy! In midevil times! Wearing a football jersey! Absurd!” 3. Multiple character movies, ie Big Momma’s House, a gimmic which, for the record he stole from Eddie Murphy 4. Streetwise man who marries and turns suburban husband and struggles(may be a fallback to the Black Knight scenario).
Apr.10 at 5:37 pm
Chris O'Leary says:
“He then played himself by saying yeah he called these women ho’s but that they shouldn’t be shocked because they’ve been called worse and demeaned by black men. Damn.”
–When will Imus be meeting with and apologizing to the black men of America for saying that?
Apr.10 at 5:38 pm
H to the izzo says:
Ya he is pretty dispensible give me D.L Hughley any day
Apr.10 at 5:53 pm
jay says:
why do you guys keep comparing imus to chris rock? chris rock does his thing and people laugh. imus does the same thing and do you hear people laughing?
Apr.10 at 5:53 pm
jay says:
the way i see it, the only reason why there is a difference in the reaction between those two is how their image is marketed.
Apr.10 at 5:56 pm
jay says:
chris rock is projected by the media as a black guy that reflects his opinions in such a way that when he delivers it, people find it funny. imus, on the other hand, comes out of the blue with such a touchy comment and people are ready to castrate his 65 year old ass
Apr.10 at 6:20 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Chris i don’t get what you’re saying? Really…..and Ryan stop lying. Don’t you buy a book as soon as Oprah co-signs it?
Apr.10 at 7:00 pm
mark says:
the only victims in this are the Rutgers players — al sharpton is purely political and out for financial gain and exposure.
Apr.10 at 7:28 pm
Danny says:
If Al Sharpton hadn’t made such a big deal about this then who really would have known that this idiot Imus had said what he said? Does anyone here really listen to this guy? I mean if the guy had a track record of being racist then maybe his job stability should come under question, but even if he is racist who cares? Nobody has to invite him to dinner or welcome him in their house. Why does everyone care about what someone else is saying and doing and concentrate more on what they say and do.
Apr.10 at 7:37 pm
Chris O'Leary says:
I’m saying that after Imus said the ridiculously stupid thing that got him all this attention, he turns around and generalizes black men as part of his defense. He’s apologizing to the Rutgers girls, when will he meet and apologize for the second dumb thing he said (in regards to this, not during his career)? Also, I really don’t like Martin Lawrence.
Apr.10 at 8:37 pm
Valarie says:
It should not be okay for the dominant race/ gender/ sexual orientation, the people in power, to make malicious and derogatory comments about the minority in public. (It shouldn’t be in private, either, but that’s another issue.) It’s as simple as that. There’s a power differential that renders the dominant person’s comments as far more significant than the minority’s.
Apr.10 at 10:58 pm
David says:
It’s not okay for any kind of prejudice for exist. And it’s not really useful to have prejudice in our humor, either. It encourages people to continue to use or revive racist ideas and terms. Contextually, things can indeed be funny, but you’re always going to have boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed. It’s our responsibility as members of a (world) society to make sure we’re not offending others, and also to try our hardest not to let insignificant things offend us. I think your writing’s great Khalid. Thanks for one of the more thought provoking posts on the site.
Apr.10 at 10:58 pm
David says:
Oh - but you might want to touch up the typos at the start…
Apr.11 at 12:36 am
Drolfe says:
Man, you guys at Slam think Iverson is your money melon? Going off these comments, a special ‘Race Edition’ of Slam would sell like crazy.
Apr.11 at 1:00 am
Scott says:
I do not think that it is right to say that members of a dominant group should not make malicious comments about the minority in public because they are more significant. Should these remarks be made? absolutely not. However it is impossible for a society to function properly and for equality to be achieved if there is a different set of rules for different groups. Deeming these remarks more acceptable because they come from a minority is not appropriate, because inequality for equality’s sake is always dangerous. Regardless of the power differential, these sort or innappropriate remarks must be treated the same from a majority as they are from a minority.
Apr.11 at 1:09 am
The Real Mongoose says:
Kobe and Imus, guaranteed over 100 posts
Apr.11 at 2:07 am
andrew says:
Sacha Baron-Cohen is semi-orthodox Jewish… just to clear that up… his portrayal of former eastern bloc state’s anti-semitism is a parody of the type of attitudes that are prevalent in those areas, similar attitudes that apply to a mistrust of gypsies, and, as far as I can tell from his comedy in Borat, a way to trap people into making ridiculous racial stereotypes for good comedy… i think he does a super job of bringing racism up on a regular basis…
Apr.11 at 3:24 am
Omar says:
Really, when was the last time you’ve heard a rapper say “Nappy headed hoe”??? Imus needs to be castrated.
Apr.11 at 6:51 am
Bear says:
It is impossible to discount context in a given dialogue, there’s no analogue for a sensory deprivation chamber in discourse. But the forum of the dialogue can not be ignored either, as Khalid had alluded to.
Imus has the audience that comes with sort of immense corporate backing attached to it. Although people may want to blanket all sources of the medium as equal, it would be mindlessly unrealistic to even insinuate that you could hold a Hot 97 personality to the same standards as someone on CBS radio or whatever (not to make relative excuses for misdeeds). And regardless of the shock jock addled antics of his past, he is attempting take a serious turn at political punditry given the nature and profile of some of his guests. With this comes an expectation of at least maintaining a sense of responsibility of choosing one’s words.
At the end of the day, this is an old white dude who was pathetically taking shots at women’s college basketball…something that must have taken tremendous courage, even before the racist overtones (sexism is a given). He goes on to disparage the women with not only a sexual epithet, but ventures the opinion that lighter-skinned black women are inherently more attractive than darker skinned women. When combining both statements, he is basing the inherent (lack of) worth of a group of college-aged women on their appearance, and by extension, race.
The logic is plainly asinine, lacking in subtext or another other remotely redeemable intent (humour…really?) but given the source, absolutely astounding. Is that, in terms of shock radio, really telling it like it is? Is rap music, which according to some defines popular culture, to blame for its permeation through the mainstream reaching the ears of said host thus planting the seed? Will white people ever stop wanting to use ‘appropriated speech’ (marketed to them by white execs who peddle the aritists work at great profit due to the marginal costs), without asking why they need to use it in the first place? Is the negative elements of a subculture really necessary to use as an appropriate reflection of an entire race for a mainstream radio show because one old white man considers it to be relevant humour? And as a Dot resident, can someone please tell me how any team that can be characterized crudely as overly black be compared to the Raptors, when the Raps have mad white dudes on its roster, not to mention some extreme beige cats as well?
Freedom of speech isn’t even close to being the issue here. Imus is a bigot, he has a history of it and nobody can say anything remotely comparable to what he just said, (never mind the cultural disconnect), without having that element burned in them. But he should continue to say whatever he wants till he dies. The question is one of accountibility.
The corporate entitities Imus is employed by are obligated to stand by his words…he should be held accountible to them. Anyone who think Imus is merely misunderstood after this has their own cross to bare: his employers have a responsibility to act. Clearly, there is a natural ethical resolution to this. Sadly, the financial bottom line will be the determining factor. Like the direction of rap music (hip hop wasn’t always separable notion) You think it got to be so indefensible without some help and marketing?
Good read Salaam, and a good look Slam staff for getting Eton’s take as well.
Apr.11 at 7:21 am
H to the izzo says:
Andrew:Didn’t we say that?
Apr.11 at 8:21 am
Ryan Jones says:
Khalid, you KNOW my feelings on your girl Harpo, but you’ll appreciate this: Michele’s in this book club now, and the next book they’re reading is by some chick whose first book was an Oprah selection a couple years ago — and it turns out the lady lives like three houses down from us. I’m really hoping Oprah drops by for a visit, so I can do the damn thing.
Apr.11 at 8:53 am
AyVee says:
i cant remember who said it but they were right if he could have probably changed this whole mess by right after saying what he said by actually saying im just joking these are very fine girls and these young ladies achieved very much this season and in there lives and they all have big futures in front of them so the term “ho” is no where close to the correct term for these intellegent sholar athletes who are great role models for young black and white female athletes….it wouldnt have erased his comment but that would have been the smart thing to do. personally i dont know if hes racist or not because i dont know him or ever once listened to him but if he isnt then he should be punished but i dont think he should lose his whole career by it. one because everyone deserves a second chance and every one every so often either says a lame or joke or just takes one too far. not sayin he should be forgiven just because it was a joke but it understandable that he messed up.
Apr.11 at 9:26 am
chris says:
Always enjoy Khalid’s editorial posts, but you really nailed this one. These types of “jokes” get noticed when presented in a public forum, but are representative of a much wider socio/political view in America. And it’s plain wrong and people of all skin tones have a reason to be upset and offended, this is not okay and shouldn’t be shrugged off. It’s good when Khalid step up in the pulpit and start dropping knowledge, and kicks off such a discussion. The responses are great, and present other viewpoints, great dialogue; you would never see this on the world-wide follower.
Apr.11 at 9:39 am
slickdots says:
Why is it always about race with white and black people when people get called a name they don’t like. I’m black, and it seems to me everybody is racial to each other no matter what. have you read slam magazine theres all kinds of sterotype in there. watch ophra, she says a couple white jokes and nobody pays a attention to those jokes. asians are the most sterotyped peopel around remember words hurt
Apr.11 at 9:59 am
Ron says:
I have a few points to make about this issue: 1. If Tim Hardaway was fired and banned from NBA Allstar Weekend for comments, how can we justify Imus keeping his Job? 2. Black America does get some of the blame in this saga, simply because we often ourselves to displayed in such negative light in maintream media. 3. Why is that when people make remarks such as this, they try apologize their way out the backlash? I’d respect a person more if the were to say, ‘I said what I said and it was the wrong thing to say. I’ve learned a valuable lesson from it, and I vow to be better person going forward. What I said is now in the past and I would prefer if all would move forward and put my mistake behind us.’ Then foolow up that statement with their future actions.
That to me is more respectable than a forced, unfelt apology.
Apr.11 at 10:17 am
James says:
“All of a sudden you’re some kind of expert of black male/female relationships?” Why would a relationship between a black couple be any different to one between a white couple? Surely we are all just people. Individuals. black, white, whatever. Nobody is the same. By making this kind of comment khalid surely you are just encouraging the perspective that black and white people should be treated differently?. But i agree with you on the rest of your points in the article. I think he should be fired.
Apr.11 at 10:29 am
1hush D says:
Yeah, the apology was the worst. It is akin to “I am sorry you felt offended” which means he really is not sorry. But much like the Amaechi saga, Imus gives us a good look inside the heads of stupid ass Americans. We know Americans are ignorant, and thus bigoted. We are making enemies faster than we can kill them. Whitey on the moon.
Apr.11 at 10:35 am
James says:
Wow 1hush D. Way to categorise a whole nation. I know only a couple of Americans personally, but they certainly aren’t ignorant or bigoted.
Apr.11 at 10:50 am
Ron says:
1hush D:
Americans are widely viewed around the world as being ignorant/arrogant. We expect the rest of the world to live as we live and we don’t wholly grasp the differences of the world. If you further disect our narrow mindedness towards various parts of the world, you can see how we can be so narrow minded towards each other.
Apr.11 at 11:03 am
Toney Blare says:
the gil scot heron ref was dope, though, 1hush.
Apr.11 at 11:49 am
lay down the race cards says:
Wow. this is probably the most commented on post in slamonline history. Here’s my 2 cents: I find it a little bit self-serving for everyone in the black community to take this on as a black/white issue.
It is far more offens to be called a “ho” than “nappy-headed”.
Where is the outrage that these student-athletes were called “hoes” on the air? give me a break. People have totally lost sight of the point that these girls were called “hoes” and made their own personal issue…
Apr.11 at 12:34 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
James, trust me it matters. It matters a lot. Maybe you’re trying to bait me into something, because i’d hate to think that you’re serious.
Apr.11 at 12:52 pm
Nathalie says:
O’Leary saves the day again. My stance is that, yes as a professional he should be fired, which I do believe will happen. But whats really bothering me is this whole apology situation. R U KIDDING ME!
Apr.11 at 12:59 pm
Nathalie says:
He totally ::excuse me when I say this:: ‘bitched up’ by tailoring his comment off of rap music. ASSUMING that every black women (like myself) listens to rap or tollerates being called a bitch or ho. Personally I turn it off. But yeah I want to know when he is going to apologize to the rest of black males, for saying that they are the ones who degrade women. I would be upset.
Apr.11 at 2:26 pm
Mike says:
This might be able to settle the whole beef. People should be allowed to say whatever they want, whenever they want. Those same people who say what they please should, in turn, not be surprised if they get fired from their jobs, or just plain beat the hell up.
Apr.11 at 2:26 pm
Hollywood Chap says:
damn- real talk
Apr.11 at 2:46 pm
Mike says:
Some people simply go through life being sheltered from interacting with different races, religions, etc. Therefore, what they know of other races is from what they see on TV/movies/hear on the radio. I work in a cell phone store. Every race, religion (except the Amish I guess), colour, etc. buys cell phones and cell phone accessories. I’ve learned a lot about the differences of people since I’ve worked in a customer service environment. I’ve dropped some prejudices and erased some stereotypes that I once had. I don’t feel bad or guilty that I once had these prejudices. I didn’t know much about other cultures other than what I saw on TV until I got a job dealing with the public. I’m kind of rambling along here, but my point is that everyone should have to work for a month in customer service to come into contact with a broad array of people. Since I’ve been in sales, I’ve learned that every single person on earth, regardless of colour/race/religion has the capacity to be intelligent, polite, well-spoken, etc. I have also learned that the people of those same colours/races/religions have the capacity to be enourmous assholes as well. Everyone needs to stop generalizing over race and look at people the way salesreps do. I don’t care what colour or race or religion you are, you just better damn well pass the credit check if you’re going to waste my time.
Apr.11 at 3:03 pm
Mike says:
Add on to my earlier comment about people saying what they want. Hypothetical scenario: I’m a white dude(that part isn’t hypothetical), and if I want to drop the n-bomb, I feel that I should be able to. If I were to drop the n-bomb and somebody whupped my damn ass for saying it, then I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s kind of like the movie “The Perfect Storm” where the fishermen all knew the inherent dangers of what they chose to do, yet went into the hazardous waters anyway. When the storm blew the eff up and they were going to their deaths, the men were a little shook, but nobody bitched about it. They knew what they got themselves into, and took the heat. Everyone should understand that there are inherent dangers in generalizing a race and saying dumb shit. If you drop the n-bomb, or call a group of women “nappy headed hoes” you should be ready for the shit wave to come wreck your damn boat. I know this is a little disjointed but that’s what happens when you post when you’re supposed to be working.
Apr.11 at 3:05 pm
Mike says:
Too bad nobody gets this heated over actual basketball stuff. Imus’ comments are one thing, but what we should be raving about is the fact that Kevin McHale still have a job. Hundreds of years of racism and bigotry are nothing compared to the injustice of Kevin Garnet’s wasted prime.
Apr.11 at 7:48 pm
This is why Im Hot says:
Cmon now the only reason Imus is so sorry is cuz everybody is trippin off of it….garauntee that if nobody cared than he wouldnt have apologized….And what i dont like is how Imus made tha comment and all tha media is talkin bout(CNN) is how Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are loud mouths and what not….People talk about how black people degrade there woman what about white men….If I had a dollar for everytime i heard a white man call a white girl a skank or a slut Donald Trump would be renting an apartment from me on park Avenue….Im off like a dirty shirt
Apr.11 at 8:03 pm
putmeonblast says:
I’ve heard the term nappy headed lots of times and didn’t know it was offensive. I don’t even know how it is offensive. Doesn’t it sort of mean that someone has messy hair basically? This is getting wrapped up in a bunch of hype. Also I thought we pretty much got over the word “ho” in like 1992.
Apr.12 at 4:55 am
Froggiestyle says:
Sorry, but for those of us on the other side of the pond - who is Imus and why would anyone ever listen to him? For that matter, why are you people calling others garden instruments? That little media magnifying glass is a creepy thing - all the mayhem the US is doing in congress, in the respective states, overseas… let’s all get distracted - “it’s all good for clinton *scratch that* Bush” “good keep your minds off me, good…”
Apr.12 at 6:17 am
James says:
Im not trying to bait you into anything. Seriously. Im just interested in why you said that. But are you saying my relationship with my white girlfriend would be extravagantly different to a young black males relationship with a black girl? So different as to the fact that I would simply have no idea what the black couples relationship might be like? If you are arguing the point of different culture / tastes / nationality even (im English) than surely i would similarly have no idea as to what a white French couple may experience?
Apr.12 at 2:11 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
Different language, experiences, values, etc. Not better or worse just different.
Apr.13 at 3:05 am
James says:
Ok I agree that it would be different thats not even arguable but then it would be different from any other couple, regardless of race? Every individual has different experiences. Anyway… moving on… I love the magazine, but I need to ask you one thing! PLEASE do an old school feature on Manute Bol!! You know it makes sense! The man was awesome.
Apr.14 at 8:37 am
Melvin says:
I can tell that most of the people commenting are white but thats ok its just that you really have no say on this issue because to you the race card is stupid and thats only because it doesn’t effect you. Someone said the funny thing is Bill Cosby was right. How do you know this are you black? Do you live in the hood? Somebody up there was right Rich White Men do own this country and there called the old money. Funny thing is one of the old money guys is in office and he is the president. Old money guys don’t want to see the elite change from white old guys to young black guys who don’t wear suits so race does matter if you think it doesn’t your out of touce, ignorant, and thats bullshit. It’s not only what Imus said but its the way he said it if you heard it. It was with such disregard like he talks like that to his buddys on the ranch everyday which he probably does. He needed a wakeup call and he got it.
Apr.14 at 8:40 am
Melvin says:
Nappy-headed refers to blacks do you see white people with nappy hair? Where do you live Colorado?
Apr.14 at 12:02 pm
H to the izzo says:
Seeing as Imus has been fired,Slam should hire him for the material that could be gotten out of it if nothing else
Apr.14 at 12:09 pm
H to the izzo says:
Melvin:You do know that white people can live in “hoods” too.Look at Brooklyn and Queens just as many Irish poor as there is African-American.I’m white and live in a run-down shitty area and I don’t exactly relate to those rich white people.All white people aren’t ignorent idiots as you seem to think.
Apr.14 at 5:51 pm
Omar says:
H is right, not all white people are ignorant. You can’t even front, rich black folk, Latino folk and Asian folk hate us hoods. It’s not about race when it comes to the rich (not entirely anyway). It’s about the class system.
Apr.14 at 8:52 pm
H to the izzo says:
Exactly where I’m from I don’t think that there is a lot of kids looking at the O.C or Laguna Beach or some crap like that and saying:Wow they are so like us but by Melvin’s logic they should be the people we (the girls anyway relate to)which is complete bullshit. Oh and sorry for the O.C reference
Apr.15 at 3:16 am
Daniel Pennant says:
I and my good friends on Ebonyfriends.com read your article. we think this is not about racial, it is about class system.
Apr.19 at 1:19 pm
Melvin says:
No white people say it isn’t about race yes it is . I don’t know many white poor people though.
Apr.20 at 6:07 pm
H to the izzo says:
Then your eyes are closed
Apr.23 at 11:45 am
Melvin says:
Guess so I live in PG COUNTY MD
Apr.23 at 3:08 pm
H to the izzo says:
No you live in One Minority,Idaho
If you live in New York you’d know what I’m talking about
May.4 at 11:45 am
g money says:
Dl Hughly says the the Rutgers basketball team werent “hos” but they were “nappy headed” and “ugly”. No backlash from Khalid Salaam…shocker, oh wait…DL makes alot of money making racist shocking comments about white people, so I guess we can let it pass. Those Rutgers chicks dont knpow a thing and probabaly never even heard of Imus but Ill bet for damn sure they got some Ludcris, 50 cent, Akon, bumpin on their ipod.
May.4 at 12:18 pm
g money says:
“The worst part about this situation is that how he feels is how much of America feels. Not about the Rutgers team but about assessing things about Black culture and then pontificating about it like you are an expert. Acting like you’re John Hope Franklin is incredibly arrogant and offensive and that’s why people are pissed and calling for his job. Something that I agree with and hopefully this won’t happen again. But it probably will.” Khalid, one thing you must realize is that that “black culture” is pimping black people and selling black people. Can you honestly say that top selling artists in the hip hop community care about how their lyrics affect a community? How can I sell a mil? Gotta have the street cred. Better have some “hos” in the video. Dont be a snitch. Is that all black culture has to offer? No, but that part of “black culture” is what is portrayed all over the media. That is the part of “black culture” that is being celebrated.
America sees that and “most”of America is offended by it. Is it racist to hate that part of “black culture”. Does DL Hughely and Dave Chapelle “assess” and “pontificate” about white culture? Does DL Hughly get a pass on his comment about the Rutgers basketball team because he’s an expert on black culture? “So for him to call the players from the Rutgers University women’s basketball team “ho’s” and then say it was a joke means nothing to me. But he made it worse by inserting the term “nappy-headed” into the equation. How can he think that’s an okay thing to say?” Is it ok to say “nappy-headed” if youre an expert like DL Hughley?
May.9 at 2:30 pm
g money says:
In regards to Al Sharpton’s comments about Mitt Romney’s faith, I’ll use your statement about Don Imus and switch “Don Imus” with “Al Sharpton”. then I’ll switch the word “white” with the word “black”. “Look I won’t lie, I don’t know much about “Al Sharpton”. I know he has a radio show and is an old “black” man. Other than that I won’t proclaim to be an expert on who he is. But I doubt that he has the knowledge to really know what he’s talking about and I know he doesn’t have the authority to make such a callous assessment.
May.9 at 2:38 pm
g money says:
“As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don’t worry, that’s a temporary situation.”
Al Sharpton the “reverend” What if, instead of saying “mormon” he would’ve said “muslim” or “jew” or “catholic”. Are you “hot” about this? Will you be calling for Al’s job?
May.18 at 2:40 pm
gene taylor says:
But it’s OK for black ‘gang$ta’ rapper$ to $ell million$ of CD’$ to kids of ALL color$ and creed$ containg lyric$ that refer to black women as ‘hoes’ — often advocating violence and disrespect towards these same women? Oh, NOW I $ee. Money’$ ALWAY$ color-blind.
May.28 at 4:27 pm
gball says:
I was shocked by the comments that we made, blatanly ignorant and very offensive as l’ve in the U.K. this story was all over fox news and cnn. I feel that he knew that this issue would get peoples attention and did it just!
thinking ’bout what u say comes to mind.
2week suspension more like the guuy should lose get his pink slip