Why the Race Card is still being played
Now you know that I couldn't resist. There's no way that I could go off on poor little Kramer (Michael what's his face), and not talk about the old misunderstood radio icon Don I-MUS (be a racist). There's been so much coverage, that I'd be negligent to not mention and give you a chance to give your opinions on the topic.
To recap for those of you that may not have heard the dialogue on every radio and television station around the globe...the "ON-AIR conversation included Don Imus, WFAN show host Sid Rosenberg, Producer Bernard McGirk and show regular Charles McCord. They were talking about the NCAA Women's Basketball finals between Rutgers and Tennessee.
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Rosenberg: Yeah, Tennessee won last night — seventh championship for [Tennessee coach] Pat Summitt, I-Man. They beat Rutgers by 13 points.
Charles McCord: Do The Right Thing.
Where do I begin? Raise your hand if you are tired of watching and hearing women in general and black women in particular being ridiculed and degraded? The way I see it, it's wrong no matter who does it, rappers, directors, radio personalities, whoever. Wrong is wrong. I'm tired of hearing grown folks point fingers and say things like, "well, they said it first" and "how come they can say it and we can't say it"?
Do you think that these images and stereotypes have anything to do with how men view women? How they treat women in the dating world? What about how young girls see themselves and choose to carry themselves and based on that, how they allow men to treat them? I mean really, if you see enough images of women half naked, being passed around like meat, you may not do it personally, but, at some point it becomes an acceptable form of behavior. Our young girls start to think things like, "It they can do it why can't I"? "Maybe that's why I don't have a man?" "Oh, that's what men want"?
I believe in freedom of speech. However, with all rights come certain responsibilities. Any fool with a mouth and tongue can exercise their right to free speech. With no regard to whom they may harm. Words have power and they can hurt. They can also leave emotional scars. I don't really care who's talking, singing or joking about "nappy headed hoes" it's never acceptable or funny to "me".
I feel the need to clarify because I am aware that there are entertainers that have built their careers on "degrading women" under the guise of "keeping it real". And to that I say "do what you do". If people want to pay their hard earned money to hear you "keep it real" feel free...in an arena specifically set up for that purpose.
What I don't appreciate are people that talk first and think later. People that are in influential positions and they use that power to give out hurtful, inaccurate and sometimes hateful information. They put it in a glass and serve it up as entertainment. Because it's not properly labeled, anyone can walk up to that glass see its contents, take a sip and pass it on without regard or the ability to decipher news from entertainment, or reality from reality radio/television. And the public hears it whether they want to or not.
I consider myself to be very open-mined and not easily offended. I don't claim to have all the answers or solutions. I do think that we all have a responsibility to raise society's children and our consciousness to a level that is higher than it's been, not as low as it can go. There is a time and place for everything. Not everything is for everyone. This being said, we must all take responsibility for our words and actions and hold others accountable for theirs too. If you have children or not, it's up to us all to make sure that they are protected from negative images that can have long term effects on their spirit and sense of what's acceptable behavior and language.
We are all connected. That young girl that's being called a whore today could be your future wife, your daughter or the girl your son falls in love with. Maybe the easiest way to control the situation is to ask the question..."Would I say that to my child, my mother? "Would I date or marry someone who thought that about themselves?" I doubt very seriously, that even if Don Imus's child was a "nappy headed ho", he would say so to her face, let alone on national radio and television. So, why say it about someone else's daughter?
But then again, that's entertainment?! One more thing for the record, the Spike Lee movie was not "Do the Right Thing." But who cares if you're accurate as long as you're entertaining, right?
80 responses to "Why the Race Card is still being played"
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nicefella115 says:Posted: 08 Jun 07from what i remember, he was always a racist.
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misotall says:Posted: 06 Jun 07The whole thing was blown way up by media. They control us all!! Must fire Imus.....must play race card....lol
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SWEETNES20 says:Posted: 06 Jun 07
god, the race card was used agaist me in a softball game.
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NICEFELLA115 says:Posted: 03 Jun 07
because hes representing a radio station, that has guide lines.
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DADA says:Posted: 02 Jun 07well for me ireally don't know what this people want ,we all wish to make the world a better place,he does not need to be fired,he does not have enough understanding about life and GOD,i believe he needs help,he want attention and he got it,GOD created us all noone can creat an ant so what is the stress,we just have to be greatful to GOD for all he has done for us,and keep praying for the sick minds among us.But this is a very sencetive issue that we all need to educate our children about.GOD HELP US AND PUT US ALL IN THE RIGHT PATH AND PEACE ALL OVER THE WORLD.
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me says:Posted: 02 Jun 07
Defammatory and racists statements should not be acceptable regardless of who makes them . There have been numerous protests by black and women's organizations for more than a decade against several record labels to censor lyrical content in 'gangst'a rap' w/ minimal to no results. Only an enduring circumstance or condition having detrimental effects upon profitability would force multimedia corporations to change their stance. If Imus' show's sponsors had not withdrawn revenue support, coupled w/ some public outrage, ufortunately, he'd still be on the air along w/ his fellow shock-jocks. Its sad, but hatefulness and bigotry are prime hot selling products, a poor reflection of our society. Even more pathetic, we the public, can't get consume enough of it in our entertainment, politics, personal interactions, etc....and don't have the common sense to recognize the deleterious consequences on our behavior and thoughts/perceptions of each other and ourselves.
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Cocokisses says:Posted: 01 Jun 07
Have you noticed that when you get into a discussion about race, how people's true feelings come out? I have read some of our responses on this site, and it makes me wonder why we are all on an INTERRACIAL DATING SITE. I can't change any of your opinions, but I can certainly change mine. I will deal with my own demons regarding race. I suggest people like Jeff and Glock deal with theirs too.
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Cocokisses says:Posted: 01 Jun 07
Oh Glock, so you know how we feel with being on the receiving end of racism, and discrimination, and all the things that come with being a second class citizen? GOOD! NOW YOU KNOW HOW WE FEEL! ENJOY!
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A says:Posted: 29 May 07
I feel that he did not need to fired over it. Why is any different for Imus to say what he said and having rappers say it all the time.
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Glock says:Posted: 28 May 07
To CocoKisses, I must disagree that "you" are still on the receiving end of racism. Regarless of how Jesse,Al, Or Louis wants to define racism, the fact is racism is a two way street. As a white man, I have seen and experienced racism frmo blacks. Especially when I started dating black women! I got more flack from blacks (particularly black men)that I ever heard or saw from whites whenever an interracial couple were around. Dusty Baker, Isaiah Thomas, Charles Barkley, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Malik Shabazz are just a few black men who have made (what would be considered today)racists statements. Yet all of their careers have not only continued but flourished! The only thing about racism in this country is that the consequences seem to be only one sided.
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sweetnes20 says:Posted: 28 May 07
hes a bum, and he now will always have this label on his back.
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unme23 says:Posted: 28 May 07
if you watch these reality shows, you see it all the time.
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Coco says:Posted: 26 May 07
Can you believe this jerk is suing to get his job back?
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Raynedelay says:Posted: 26 May 07
The race card is still being played because race is still an issue.
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Fala says:Posted: 26 May 07
What planet are you living on squirrelracher? Not racist? You are in some serious denial. Denying that racism exists is a big part of the problem.
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mossimo36 says:Posted: 25 May 07
A friend of mine from Africa can't understand why the man was fired for this. I think if we are to hold people to some standard then it should cut across all races regardless of the race of the perpetrator or victim.
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goldenangel says:Posted: 25 May 07This thing that all of us our trying to experience called life has costs and benefits ,,, to say growup and ignore ,, or who listens or they are past that or why does his opionion matter your right...it shouldn't but the public court has won many battles where the court of law has lost... in this day and age our hearts can go out to a little girl lost or kidnapped no matter what her color ... and i asked you what if something God forbid happened to your little one and the only one that knew or could help had those same thoughts in their head because of color that person was less than worth helping ... and u found out that was the only reason ... that stopped them from helping .... that would set off a rage u couldn't describe, hate is taught and learned from a childs enivorment and a public place is not a place where negative should flow,,,now my sun and moon doesn't set on what don imus said but,, who knows what impressionable person's does...
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kenyanito says:Posted: 24 May 07When it is one race against another we call it racism what of when tribes gang up because they are in power?We need to appreciate everyone
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yooper says:Posted: 24 May 07Racism will always be a part of our world as long as we keep bringing it up. And why do we do so, because for some it fules their purpose, it brings them money, and as long as it does that they will continue to throw fuel on the fire.
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IllaNoyze says:Posted: 24 May 07
To Hear so many People of Diverse backgrounds sit hear and off their opinion on Mr. Don Imus utterly ridiculous comments about the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team is something I wish not to involve myself with but I will say this Don Imus,Michael Richards or whoever the gentleman from Seinfeld was are a constant reminder for all the Afro-American People have overcome this is what some still of us in general..
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daswayne says:Posted: 23 May 07
well, here we go again. if people would just remember that we all have what is called "freedom of speech" and just let people say what they say and not constantly make an issue of it this racist thing might someday go away. i am a white man who never seen a black person till i was 14 years old at which time i met some of the most beautiful black girls you could imagine ( i love black women). ive lived with black guys and played in bands with black guys dated black women and the one thing ive learned is, we all have feelings and we're all the same inside. most all the black people i personally know all feel the same as most white folks, we all came from the same GOD so why cant we all just get along?
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cocokisses says:Posted: 23 May 07
This message is for Geno. The fact that you think "its no big thing" is why we are still on the receiving end of racism. What if it were your sister/wife/mother? I am sure you would have a lot more to say than that. Also, just the fact that you are saying that and claiming to be a writer only proves that those within the media are perpetuating this stereotype even further.
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TruthHurts001 says:Posted: 23 May 07This has got to be the biggest non-story in history. Who gives a flying sh*t what Imus says, most people have never heard of him, and his ratings are crap. His show sucks, and he's boring. To anyone who feels their life has been damaged by Don Imus...frickin' GROW UP!
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snooks says:Posted: 23 May 07
i did see the news when they played what he said about the women..Its not only the words he used was wrong its also the way he ment them...Its like he like's putting women down like he is better then us women..Its about time someone put men like him in his place....Its 2007 people.stop the hateing get along...
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thunder says:Posted: 21 May 07i like what you said, i-mus be a racist, that was good!!! but truthfully racism will always exist to some extint, no matter what race you are!! wished it didn't!!
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sweetnes20 says:Posted: 21 May 07
aren't we in the year 2007? wake up people!!!
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Whaaat says:Posted: 21 May 07
First off, allow me to point out one thing. As much as I hate racism, there's no law against it in speech. The more you try and quiet speech, the more it wants to come out. If he is a racist than he's still one. But I do know something about this man. If people were willing to look at someone as a whole, rather than a couple minute throw away line they would find that this man is not racist at all. Any more than Chris Rock is when he makes fun of white people. It's just hard edge humor. And people of all races that enjoy this sort of thing understand that and know better than to take it serious. And in this case, because it's a long standing radio show, people well know what this guy really is. That's why no one ever complained before. And besides all of that, he apologized. What's happening to this society that even when a man gives a sincere apology, he still must be crucified over a couple of silly words. And no, I don't buy that those womens lives were ruined. And lastly, why were the over whelming amount of African American people that did not want him fired ignored? Even though this doesn't really apply to this man, we must remember this well known statement: I may not agree with the words you say but, I will defend with my life your right to say them.
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vanillashake says:Posted: 21 May 07
The only way to bring about change is to object to racism and fire people like Imus. It was the right thing to do. It takes time and effort, but as the song says, a change is gonna come.
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squirrelracher says:Posted: 21 May 07
It could just be me but even after having read the brief transcript, I still havent seen anything racist having been said. Imus Never once mentioned the color of anyones skin. this oversensitivity is part of what is perpetuating racism, the fact is racism cannot exhist unless it keeps being brought up.
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Elizabeth says:Posted: 21 May 07
Your article was well written. How did this idiot get a job on the radio? Why do we have so many people willing to listen to this type of broadcasting? Its disgraceful that poeple have such little value for human life.
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Bilbobaggins says:Posted: 21 May 07
I'm so sick of everyone trying to control what others can think and say is funny. It was entertainment that was tacky and offensive... turn idiots like Imus off. The article said, "Words hurt"... I think it is time we realize people can be mean, disrespectful and lack class. Lets get back to the place where we aren't offended by every jerk with a big mouth. Identify them as ...holes and move on.
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Fala says:Posted: 21 May 07
I totally agree Pleasjure. He can make all the excuses he wants to but don t act like his words don t hurt.
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nicefella115 says:Posted: 20 May 07
ita a shame that we are in 2007, and this still goes on!!!
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SoulFlower says:Posted: 20 May 07It is a shame that we still have to live in a racist country. Nothing is going to change so I guess people should just deal with it or look the other way.
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intelligentguy45 says:Posted: 20 May 07
Hi, I feel that Imus did not have to be fired to learn the message I'm sure he learned! To tell the truth, a valuable asset has been lost in his firing! Imus could have brought light on his mistake, and doing more good in its prevention of happening again! He is a radio icon, with millions of people that could have been reached, and brought enlightedment!
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geno says:Posted: 18 May 07
the network should simply have blipped out the words. it's no big thing. those 'nappy-headed hos' probably have said a lot of worse things to each other -- and laughed about it. rick lanning writer
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pleasjure13 says:Posted: 18 May 07I am sick of the term " Race Card". If the shoe fits then wear it. There is no excuse for the degredation of women or any other social animal on this planet.
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