Imus, Words and Questions

Don Imus has been fired by MSNBC and CBS Radio. Are Sharpton and Jackson happy? I doubt it. Jackson has said, "Imus is on 1,040 hours a [year] and yet they have virtually no black show hosts. That is true for other networks as well, We must raise the ethical standard for all of them." (Hosts or networks, Jesse?)

Because of two words, neither of which is the "N-BOMB", and words that are used in black artists' songs (rap and otherwise), Imus has been labeled as racist and sexist. He's 67, so he may be ready to retire, but I have questions (and my, admittedly, PERCEIVED answers to some, to the public AND to the networks involved.)

Question: Does this mean that the majority of rap music out there is sexist and racist? Oh, HELL NO! See, because they are of the race being insulted, "it's ok". Why isn't there such a storm over every one of those songs that use the terms? Instead, they fly to #1 on the charts. Why is it that races and nationalities can call others in their own race/nationality by words and "insulting terms", but if a white man or other race does, it's bad? Doesn't the use of the terms just mean that people are trying to be current? ... Hip? ... That the race/nationality and their music/movies/tv shows are making "inroads" in the public's consciousness? (I'm not the only one to think this way... See http://mensnewsdaily.com/2007/04/12/don-imus-fired-now-lets-go-after-the-black-rappers/)

Question: Don Imus said a couple of other things that weren't "right", but the controversy was sparked over two words, one of which was initially said by the show's executive producer, Bernard McGuirk. And even more insults were heaped on the Rutgers team by former Imus sports announcer Sid Rosenberg, filling in for [regular] sportscaster Chris Carlin. Why weren't THEY fired?

(If you want to read a transcript of what was said, that section of the show can be found at http://mediamatters.org/items/200704040011. Find "Imus".)

Question: Why is it that other celebs who've said "bad things" (and a lot stronger and harsher than Imus' two words), are allowed to go to "rehab", then "all is forgiven"?

Question: With the proliferation of rap music, and the HUGE use of at least one of the terms Imus uttered in it, is it any wonder that people don't know what they CAN and CAN'T say without fearing the Sharptons, the Jacksons and many other publicity hounds of the world won't jump down their throats? (Why aren't they all over the news denouncing rap music for its racist, sexist and violent lyrics? Why don't they protest all the violence in music and video games? Why can Snoop Dogg say these things without backlash, but when ANY white guy does, there're demands of termination?)

Please don't misunderstand. I don't like the words, myself. I can't see ANY case where I, personally, would use the words. These terms and the promotion of violence are the main reasons I don't like a lot of rap music. (OK... Add to that the incescent BOOM BOOM BOOMs from many cars, driven by all races.) And rap-writers: Don't tell me that that's what you grew up with... That type of rap ain't THAT old!

Does anyone remember George Carlin's "Seven Words You Can't Say On Television"? Last time I saw him do it, the list had grown to about an 11-foot scroll. Guess if he hasn't, already, he's got to add a BUNCH of other terms, huh? Then again, if he says them, even reading from the list of words you can't say, he'll probably be attacked as racist, sexist, etc.

Should Imus have been fired? I don't know. (I never listened to him, so have no clue if Jackson's claim of "a pattern" is correct.) Should he have been punished? I'd say, "yes". Originally, he was to be suspended. (Was that with or without pay?) That would have been time he could have gone to rehab with Jesse. Instead, Sharpton and Jackson saw "a pattern" (in Imus, or America?), and demanded termination; Sponsors threatened to or did pull their support; And Imus was canned. Over two words used in numerous #1 songs.

If certain words aren't allowed to be used by mainstream America, why are they allowed by anyone, anywhere?

Bill Sanders