Imus apologizes for Rutgers women's b-ball team remark

[terry78]

http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=f75958fe-1b6e-4e71-b58c-99ff58f1d716

 

[Matt]

Imus' comments weren't nearly as offensive as McGurik who called them Jigaboos.

 

[Joker]

I'd just like to say, if Jigaboo didnt have the negative racial connotations, it would be an awesome word...just say it a few times, without thinking about what it means...it's fun!

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

ehh i thought it was funny "nappy hoes" lmao,im sorry. it was bad what he said.

 

[kainedamo]

"We have rejected his apology and are demanding he be fired," the group's head, Najee Ali, told E! Online. "We've heard racist comments from Mel Gibson, who's apologized, homophobic comments from Isaiah Washington, who's apologized, but in this circumstance...there has to be a line drawn in the sand.

"If shock jocks continue to say outlandish comments, we'll start sliding down that slippery slope, which is why we're taking such a firm position demanding he be fired."

What a bunch of overly dramatic morons.

Reading what Imus has done, he really has went out of his way to make up for this! And really, it wasn't even that bad a comment. It didn't even seem overtly racist to me.

Seriously, black people in position of responsibility like Jesse Jackson and Reverend Al Sharpton have got to stop being such *******s.

Imus was right when he got frustrated and said "I can't win with you people", a comment that clearly isn't directed at black people but at his critics. Once people think you're a racist because of one single comment, it's very difficult to change their minds. When Al Sharpton said, "its not about whether or not you're a good person. What you said was racist". How can you argue with someone like that? I would have been very tempted, in Imus' position, to say "So ****ing what???". Sure, lets forget about Imus' charity work, and many years of work.

When people say "we won't accept his apology", that invites a very dangerous train of thought. ANYONE could be considered a racist because of one single misunderstood comment. It's ridiculous and needs to stop.

 

[dpm07]

I think people should just get over it, and move on. There's a lot more important things in the world to be concerned with at this time, other than one person putting their foot in their mouth.

It's unfortunate that he said the things he said, but he said them, and apologized. Now, let's move on.

 

[Spider-Bite]

He didn't even make any stereotype or say anything bad about black people in general. He was talking about a small select group of individuals. since when is a basketball team considered a race?

and it was a joke. we tolerate racist jokes in society all the time, when it comes from black people, as a black comedian pointed out on the news last night. He wasn't offended at all. He didn't even think it was racist.

 

[AllThingsComic]

Imus punked out, while what he did say was stupid, he should have just said ef you all it was a joke, if you don't like it oh well! What about all the black comedians who do that stupid white voice and make all caucasians seem like geeky white a$$holes, nobody says anything about that.

 

[AllThingsComic]

Also, what about when Hot 97 made fun of the Tsunami victims, where was Al Sharpton then? What about when Starr said he wanted to rape another DJ's young daughter, where was Sharpton then? What about when Ms. Jones made fun of Asians and one of the other dj's who was Asian complained and nothing was done, where was Sharpton then? I hate Al Sharpton, he is an opportunistic bastard who should have bit it when that black guy stabbed him in the airport.

 

[blind_fury]

What an idiot.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

Imus punked out, while what he did say was stupid, he should have just said ef you all it was a joke, if you don't like it oh well! What about all the black comedians who do that stupid white voice and make all caucasians seem like geeky white a$$holes, nobody says anything about that.

i know some white folks who fit that bill.

 

[Spider-Bite]

Also, what about when Hot 97 made fun of the Tsunami victims, where was Al Sharpton then? What about when Starr said he wanted to rape another DJ's young daughter, where was Sharpton then? What about when Ms. Jones made fun of Asians and one of the other dj's who was Asian complained and nothing was done, where was Sharpton then? I hate Al Sharpton, he is an opportunistic bastard who should have bit it when that black guy stabbed him in the airport.

well that's a little harsh. I dont' think he deserves to die.

 

[Erzengel]

I'm really really surprised Imus apologized. He shouldn't have. He's a shock jock and this is his medium.

You may not agree with what he says or even have to like it but when you have to start making people in the entertainment industry accountable for any joke they make, then it's going to spread to other mediums.

I mean if Shock Jocks can't make racial jokes no matter the context what's next?

Should comedians have to alter their whole comedy stylings?

And honestly, I heard a little of Steve Harvey's radio show where he and one of his other radio co-hosts were pretending to be white hillbilly rednecks. Where's Reverand Al then? Oh yeah, there was a police shooting and Reverand Al wants to see if he can spin it so it's racially motivated.

F'ing idiot.

 

[blind_fury]

Also, what about when Hot 97 made fun of the Tsunami victims, where was Al Sharpton then? What about when Starr said he wanted to rape another DJ's young daughter, where was Sharpton then? What about when Ms. Jones made fun of Asians and one of the other dj's who was Asian complained and nothing was done, where was Sharpton then? I hate Al Sharpton, he is an opportunistic bastard who should have bit it when that black guy stabbed him in the airport.

Where was the Jewish Anti-Defamation League when those things happened?

Where was GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)?

Do you wish death on them too?

 

[Superman]

I'm already sick of this story.

 

[blind_fury]

I'm really really surprised Imus apologized. He shouldn't have. He's a shock jock and this is his medium.

You may not agree with what he says or even have to like it but when you have to start making people in the entertainment industry accountable for any joke they make, then it's going to spread to other mediums.

I mean if Shock Jocks can't make racial jokes no matter the context what's next?

Should comedians have to alter their whole comedy stylings?

And honestly, I heard a little of Steve Harvey's radio show where he and one of his other radio co-hosts were pretending to be white hillbilly rednecks. Where's Reverand Al then? Oh yeah, there was a police shooting and Reverand Al wants to see if he can spin it so it's racially motivated.

F'ing idiot.

Does imitating rednecks mock all white people?

Of course not. But calling athletes "nappy headed hoes" simply because they're black women is racist toward all black women. He might as well call them big lipped hoes or broad nosed hoes based on the color of their skin.

Want white race jokes to be treated just as bad as black race jokes? Don't enslave a race for 400 years and then have intitutional racism for another 100 years. It kind of makes those black jokes more hurtful than a joke without any historical context..

 

[Varient]

I expect this to slide past most of you:

The major difference in All you say in his defense is that NO ONE ELSE in any Comedic medium have pointed out one race,.. one gender, in one sport, in a place where people strive to improve themselves, one group of people, IE Black women,

And called a distinct team a bunch of loose thuggish women with bad hair.

This Imus has NEVER taken a sports team and said they were all (definition unrelated to what they are actually doing.),... yet it's OKAY because some folk will do a GENERAL stereotype of an ENTIRE people?

Why is it hard to understand why some are upset about a female college basketball being labeled "Nappy-Headed Ho's"?

Do some of you need someone to define each word individually?

TSK.

 

[Erzengel]

Does imitating rednecks mock all white people?

Of course not. But calling athletes "nappy headed hoes" simply because they're black women is racist toward all black women. He might as well call them big lipped hoes or broad nosed hoes based on the color of their skin.

Want white race jokes to be treated just as bad as black race jokes? Don't enslave a race for 400 years and then have intitutional racism for another 100 years. It kind of makes those black jokes more hurtful than a joke without any historical context..

So black people get a reprieve from any type of protest, punishment or admonishment because of slavery? They can make fun of white people, jews and other ethnicities?

My goodness, Whoopi Goldberg was criticizing Imus. The same Whoopi Goldberg that stood by and defended her then boyfriend Ted Danson who dressed in black face and made racist jokes. Hypocrisy much?

Like I said, you don't have to like or agree with what Imus said but he's a shock jock and made a statement (funny or not) in a comedy context. The second his comedy is censored, how long before it effects other areas of entertainment.

 

[AllThingsComic]

Where was the Jewish Anti-Defamation League when those things happened?

Where was GLAAD (the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation)?

Do you wish death on them too?

Ok maybe that was a bit harsh, I shouldn't wish death upon anyone, but he is an opportunistic bastard. What does GLAAD or JAD have to do with anything I mentioned?

 

[blind_fury]

So black people get a reprieve from any type of protest, punishment or admonishment because of slavery? They can make fun of white people, jews and other ethnicities?

It really depends on the joke.

If a German shock jock says the Isreali olympic team has some "hooked nosed bankers" it will probably be taken more seriously than a Jewish shock jock who says German people can't dance.

Why do you think that is? I mean a joke is a joke right?

My goodness, Whoopi Goldberg was criticizing Imus. The same Whoopi Goldberg that stood by and defended her then boyfriend Ted Danson who dressed in black face and made racist jokes. Hypocrisy much?

Yeah, Whoopie is a hypocrite, what's your point???

Like I said, you don't have to like or agree with what Imus said but he's a shock jock and made a statement (funny or not) in a comedy context. The second his comedy is censored, how long before it effects other areas of entertainment.

Conan O'Brien has to watch what he says. Sean Hannity has to watch what he says. Bill O'Rielly has to watch what he says. Imus has to watch what he says. They can't call an Isreali olympic team "hooked nosed bankers" and think they can get away with it. They work for a major media networks whose target audience includes teenagers and parents. They can't say whatever they want. Not if they want to keep their family-friendly sponsors.

 

[blind_fury]

Ok maybe that was a bit harsh, I shouldn't wish death upon anyone, but he is an opportunistic bastard. What does GLAAD or JAD have to do with anything I mentioned?

GLAAD only protest anti-gay remarks.

The Jewish Anti-Dafamation League mainly protest anti-semitic remarks.

Why would you attack Al Sharpton for only protesting anti-black remarks?

 

[Erzengel]

It really depends on the joke.

If a German shock jock who says the Isreali olympic team has some "hooked nosed bankers" it will probably be taken more seriously than a Jewish shock jock who says German people can't dance.

Why do you think that is? I mean a joke is a joke right?

And who's to gauge what's offensive? Some sort of committee, a board, you? What's offensive to one person is not necessarily going to offend someone else. You can't put a rule or law like that out there because it's subject to biasness. If someone made a joke about black people being on welfare, there would be someone who would get pissed off about it.

It's all or nothing, either it's all open for humor or none of it is. No one can be appointed to be objective enough to say what's fair and what's not. It doesn't work that way.

Conan O'Brien has to watch what he says. Sean Hannity has to watch what he says. Bill O'Rielly has to watch what he says. Imus has to watch what he says. They can't call an Isreali olympic team "hooked nosed bankers" and think he can get away with it. They work for a major media networks whose target audience includes teenagers and parents. They can't say whatever they want. Not if they want to keep their family-friendly sponsors.

Last I checked saying what you wanted was covered under the First Amendement.

Secondly, that type of risque humor is not Conan's or Hannity's or O'Rielly's type of comedy medium. They don't say things like that because it's not appropriate for their kind of show.

Imus's or Howard Stern's or Opie and Anthony's radio shows are and while I only listen to the latter, it's context.

You can't censor or prohibit just certain jokes. Like I said, it's all or nothing.

 

[blind_fury]

And who's to gauge what's offensive? Some sort of committee, a board, you? What's offensive to one person is not necessarily going to offend someone else. You can't put a rule or law like that out there because it's subject to biasness. If someone made a joke about black people being on welfare, there would be someone who would get pissed off about it.

It's common sense. Bill O'Rielly knows he can't refer to a Jewish olympic team as "hooked nosed bankers". Why is that more offensive than saying an alcohol related joke about the Irish? Probably because O'Rielly is Irish and more importantly because of the holocaust. If the holocaust never happened the "hooked nosed" comment wouldn't be considered nearly as offensive.

It's all or nothing, either it's all open for humor or none of it is. No one can be appointed to be objective enough to say what's fair and what's not. It doesn't work that way.

So the German shock jock can call Jewish olympic team "hooked nosed bankers" and it's just as bad as saying chinese women can't drive?

Last I checked saying what you wanted was covered under the First Amendement.

You have the freedom of speech. If you host a major radio show on MSNBC you work for the sponsors. If you say antisemitic things those sponsers will leave and you won't get paid. But you still have the freedom of speech but the sponsors have the freedom to leave.

Secondly, that type of risque humor is not Conan's or Hannity's or O'Rielly's type of comedy medium. They don't say things like that because it's not appropriate for their kind of show.

Imus's or Howard Stern's or Opie and Anthony's radio shows are and while I only listen to the latter, it's context.

Imus is closer to Bill O'Rielly than he is to Opie and A or Howard Stern.

Here's a list of people Imus recently interviewed:

• March 2: Imus talks to Sen. Joe Lieberman
• Feb. 28: Imus talks to Sen. John McCain
• Feb. 9: Imus talks to NBC's Tim Russert

That doesn't sound like Opie or Howard Stern interviews which normally have porn star orgasm contest or raunchy comedians talking about anal sex.

Even Sean Hannity couldn't get serious Sen John McCain, Tim Russert, and Sen Joe Lieberman within the same month. Imus is not a shock jock.

You can't censor or prohibit just certain jokes. Like I said, it's all or nothing.

No it's not all or nothing. Not when major corporations and sponsors are involved. Sure I would love to see hardcore midget clown porn on Comedy Central every once and a while. But that's just not realistic. Sponsors would leave the network in droves and the network wouldn't have any money to pay entertainers, camera men, and crew etc.

 

[AllThingsComic]

GLAAD only protest anti-gay remarks.

The Jewish Anti-Dafamation League mainly protest anti-semitic remarks.

Why would you attack Al Sharpton for only protesting anti-black remarks?

Point well taken, but what of Sharpton being on the side of right when Starr said he wanted to rape the child of an opposing minority dj? Where was Sharpton crying for the dismissal of Starr then?

 

[kainedamo]

Does imitating rednecks mock all white people?

Of course not. But calling athletes "nappy headed hoes" simply because they're black women is racist toward all black women. He might as well call them big lipped hoes or broad nosed hoes based on the color of their skin.

Want white race jokes to be treated just as bad as black race jokes? Don't enslave a race for 400 years and then have intitutional racism for another 100 years. It kind of makes those black jokes more hurtful than a joke without any historical context..

His joke wasn't even overtly racist! That's whats so ridiculous about this!

You shouldn't go around saying we should take jokes about black people more seriously than any other racist joke. Because thats ****ing ridiculous and stupid, and its the reason this poor man, this good man is being hounded in this witch hunt.