Imus Suspended for 2 Weeks after Racist Remark- Page 5

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:02pm

>> The inherent difference, Sean, between Imus's remark and some equally distasteful song on mTV, is intent.

So Imus says a stupid joke about a specific group while a "singer" spends three or four minutes describing women in general as bitches and ho's. Tell me: whose intent is worse?

See, this is what I dont get from you guys. You seem to think that Imus' joke, as distasteful as it was, is terrible because he was talking a specific bunch. But, as I pointed out, one of the songs nominated for an Oscar last year was practically a celebration of pigeon-holing *all* women as prostitutes and bitches, good for nothing more than lying on their backs. Where was the furour over that? These boards were really, really silent on that topic.

So Imus makes a bad joke and gets fired, and someone else who says far more, far worse, gets an award nomination. And you guys dont see a problem with that? You really think that Imus was *that* bad in the Grand Scheme of Things that he should merit this kind of lynching?

Earlier in this thread, I asked what any of you would do if the team decided to forgive him. After all, theyre the victims here, and if they decide, for whatever reason, to let it go, I imagine most of the "community leaders" wont, not at all. They have too much invested in prolonging racist attitudes for their own political bent... and we're not talking about white folks here, guys. And you know exactly who I mean. Tell me, where will the outrage be towards them? Where will *their* apologies be for insulting women, all women, in general?

>> well, that certainly just negated any respect I had for your talent in writing, design, etc.

Well, tell you what -- call Sharpton and tell him I need to be shown the error of my ways. I'm sure he'll just leap at the opportunity.

Sorry, no apology here for saying that. Its clear that some people in this thread have no real interest in dealing with this honestly. They'll make excuses and rush into denial, all the while pretending that what Imus did is so very, very wrong that he, unlike others who have done precisely the same thing but somehow have an "excuse" that pardons them. And the very things that folks around here decried as horrible will just continue on from other quarters, unabated and unleashed.

And you guys will have no one else to blame but yourselves. Deal with it.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 7:57pm

SeanMartin...

Why are you so fixated on Mtv? You would make a more interesting arguement if you used BET, Power 105, or Hot 97 to make your flawed arguement.

Maybe you're not reading anyone else's posts but I don't think anyone here is denying that offensive rap lyrics are a problem I think what people are suggesting (at least I am) is that instead of focusing your rage that Imus got fired maybe you should be focusing your rage that not enough is being done about offensive language in hip hop culture.

But the problem here is the whole arguement smacks a little of racism. It's like saying...poor Imus got fired but look at what all those black folks are getting away with!

I think most, or at least I, would agree that Al Sharpton is a blowhard. But this really has nothing to do with him. It's got nothing to do with Mtv. It has to do with what Imus said on his radio show and now the price he has to pay.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 1:04am

>> Why are you so fixated on Mtv?

Ever watch the Music Video Awards? There's one answer. Want more? Watch the channel for more than fifteen minutes and show me one thing that *doesnt* demean and insult women. And good luck in trying to do so.

>> But the problem here is the whole arguement smacks a little of racism. It's like saying...poor Imus got fired but look at what all those black folks are getting away with!

Call it racist if you want, but remember: the Truth is a painful taskmistress. Yes, they *are* getting away with it, even as they demonstrated in front of CBS yesterday and today. Deal with it.

We talk about how people who make their profession on the public airwaves need to be a little more responsible in what they say, and to a point Id agree with you. But I make a firm distinction between what was, in its essence, a mindless joke versus the systemic racism of people like Sharpton, who, as usual, inserted himself into this and claimed *he* was the one who got Imus fired this afternoon after his thirty minute meeting with the CBS brass. He and Jackson and the other so-called "leaders" *need* to reinforce racism, because without it, they have nothing. And you wonder why it seems we're never really getting anywhere when it comes to this issue.

>> maybe you should be focusing your rage that not enough is being done about offensive language in hip hop culture

So where's *your* outrage, guys? If you're this upset about some stupid joke, then I should think you'd be howling over the way women are viewed by *other* folk who make their living using the public airwaves to sell their so-called "songs". But you're not, are you. Oh, sure, you say you are, but certainly not with the vehemence you've shown against some old white guy shock-jock. And maybe you need to ask yourselves why that is.

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 9:16am

"So where's *your* outrage, guys? If you're this upset about some stupid joke, then I should think you'd be howling over the way women are viewed by *other* folk who make their living using the public airwaves to sell their so-called "songs". But you're not, are you. Oh, sure, you say you are, but certainly not with the vehemence you've shown against some old white guy shock-jock. And maybe you need to ask yourselves why that is. "

See the problem is...this thread isn't about that. It's about Imus..and what HE said. Maybe...if you were to start another thread on this topic there would be some interesting discussion about it. The problem is when you bring it up here it makes it sound like you're not really angry about these lyrics, you're angry that they can do it, and Imus can't.

Oh...and have you watched Mtv since the early 90's? They don't show videos anymore.
Updated On: 4/13/07 at 09:16 AM

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 10:56pm

>> It's about Imus..and what HE said.

Oh please. It's called thread drift, remember? And Imus doesnt operate in a social vacuum.

Sorry, that denial wont work either.

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 6:21pm

Should he have said what he did....absolutely not! Should he have been fired...no way!

Sharpton and Jackson have always played the race card and always looked for trouble.

So, they meet with CBS CEO Les Moonves, and Imus gets canned. CBS is owned by Viacom...which owns MTV and BET. You turn on MTV or BET any evening, and you'll constantly see videos of black women being demoralized...and being referred to in the lyrics as bitches and hoes. That's ok????

How is that fair?