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You might have heard the above term quite a lot in the past few days. Frankly, I had no idea what ‘nappy headed’ meant and after Ash looked it up on Urban Dictionary, I was shocked that someone would actually use it on the airwaves and not expect a backlash. Especially so since African Americans are sensitive to any hair-related slur. Of course, the news coverage has been relentless and after Anna Nicole Smith’s kid’s father was ‘outed’ (much to his delight?), the news networks have gone to town over this issue.
I hadn’t heard about Don Imus either but now after watching CNN for about ten minutes, I know him and his penchant for spouting hate. He is an insanely bigoted and prejudiced individual in the truest sense of the word. In fact, such behavior is now cited in his defense - “he takes shots at everyone not just blacks.” Well, does that make his recent statement any excusable? His host network reacted in a typical business-like manner; he was handed a two-week suspension in hope that the matter would blow over.
Frankly, I hold the networks, MSNBC & CBS responsible for having a loose cannon like Imus on board. They are aware of his past statements and proclivity for uttering hate speech but all they care is the bottom line. As long as his hate speech keeps the money coming in, they aren’t complaining. I’m sure, they must feel the heat by harboring a bigot on their airtime but for now, it is safely deflected toward Imus. As far as Imus is concerned, he will apologize to the hilt even though he doesn’t mean a word of it. Back home with his pals, he must be repeating those words over and over again perhaps with more vengeance. He is already feeling some heat from the market when two advertisers - Staples Inc. and Procter & Gamble Co. have pulled their advertising from his show. I hope other advertisers follow suit. Frankly, that is the only way that get spur the networks to take some action. I’m not advocating censorship but merely exercising the right to condemn and sideline clearly racist behavior.
Another attempt in defending Imus’ words are under the pretext that blacks use them too, especially hos. But I’ll say it again, does that make his statements any less reprehensible? Of course, rap music should move away from the n-word and objectifying women. The music companies should clamp down on use of such racial slurs at least on ethical grounds. But don’t let the problems of the rap industry interfere with the current problem - allowing a clearly racist and bigoted individual on air by an equally complicit networks (MSNBC & CBS).
Update: The ‘Imus in the Morning’ radio program will not be simulcast by MSNBC effectively immediately. I’m glad to see MSBC take the right decision in firing Imus. CBS followed suit a day later. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Technorati Tags: Don Imus, nappy headed, racism, radio, MSNBC, CBS
by Patrix | on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 at 10:58 am | 
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April 11th, 2007 at 11:55 am reply
While I’m against any government censorship, MSNBC as a major media outlet has a social responsiblity and needs to get rid of this bigot asap. I’m seriously beginning to question MSNBC’s crediblity and their cultural sensitivity - see my rants on Dara Brown, who lives in New Jersey and covers “exotic” India.
I’m surprised that so many people are defending Imus by justifying what rappers do.
April 11th, 2007 at 1:41 pm reply
Slate has an interesting article listing other horrible things Don Imus has said.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:19 pm reply
Santosh, I know we cannot have hard-n-fast rules for restricting such hate speech but only when points of power exercise their influence will we see the last of bigoted and racist speech.
April 11th, 2007 at 3:44 pm reply
I dont even know what this guy looks like and I googled him on google images. All I can say is he of all people should not be cracking on other people’s looks.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:31 pm reply
He got canned from both MSNBC and CBS. Serves him right. What pisses me off is that all these talking heads are making him an icon of free speech. If anything he abused his power of free speech. Sorry had to rant.
April 12th, 2007 at 10:43 pm reply
Santosh, I agree. He is hardly the paragon of free speech but merely a bigoted individuals airing his prejudices. He sure can do that but as MSNBC and CBS decided, not on their network.
April 14th, 2007 at 9:24 am reply
My roommate’s mother knows Imus personally and always said that he was a vile person.
While I’m glad that he is off the air, I am somewhat disappointed. Like you said, rappers and other music artists get away with saying a LOT worse on television and on the radio, and they have the freedom of creative and artistic license.
While I am not condoning anything Imus said, I think that this is a bit of a double standard, and it’s clear that CBS is doing this to save their face and not necessarily to censor racism.
April 14th, 2007 at 10:46 am reply
Vi, I agree but then rappers using worse language is a separate issue and Imus shouldn’t be forgiven because rappers also do the same. In fact, I would also hold music labels for promoting such music. I know some might argue the market wants it but then I feel the companies ought to have some ethical responsibility. If not, I’m free to direct my ire at them for supporting hate speech.