I’m truly disgusted by all the faux ‘outrage’ over what Don Imus said on his syndicated morning show last week. He’s spent every day since then on a tour of apology, from visiting Al Sharpton’s show ‘Keeping It Real’ to appearing on the Today show this morning.
It’s nothing but a witch-hunt. Imus does a comedy show. It was a stupid remark for which he has rightly apologised, but the remark certainly doesn’t rate him as a racist. Sharpton is a sanctimonious imbecile and Imus made a mistake by going on his show in the first place, which, by the way, is one of the most racist shows I’ve ever heard. How many times does a guy have to apologise before the self-righteous morons put their guns away?
I think what Sharpton doesn’t realise is the final upshot (ie. the inevitable product) of his demand. He is demanding Imus be fired because we must take a stand against all racism on all “public airwaves.” But the definition of ‘racism’ he uses is a very broad brush. “Nappy-headed ho’s” was Imus’ way of describing how tough, grisly, severe, the women of Rutgers looked, in comparison to the competition. THAT was the humour. Seconds earlier he mentioned their tattoos. The humour was similar to saying, “I wouldn’t want to meet any of THEM up a dark alley.” But because he used the words “nappy-headed” to describe their appearance, he should be fired.
Now that’s very interesting, because there’s plenty of humour that relies upon describing different people in different ways. “Looks like he slept in a cardboard box last night.” Should the jock who said that be fired? “She had a blonde moment.” Should the jock who said that be fired? “He’s a redneck.” Should the jock who said that be fired too?
Do we want to live in a world where Patty Englishman, Scotsman and Irishman disappear forever and the airwaves are all as bland and dishonest as Sharpton’s show? Irish jokes are among the best in the world. Should I be offended, outraged, and demand the firing of whichever jock allowed such a joke to be aired on their show? WHY NOT? Or is it very simply just extremely easy to offend some people?
Don Imus is a legend of the radio industry. He’s been a staple of broadcasting for almost 40 years in America. Now, because Sharpton’s sharks and Jackson’s jaws want blood, because of a stupid comment for which he has already sincerely apologised, it should end?
These people need to GROW UP.
Now, I’m off to take a cold shower before I break something expensive in anger.
John Wright
————
UPDATE 4/12/2007: Imus has just been fired and will no longer have a show on either television or radio.
WHILE YOU'RE HERE...