Dear Source:
Although some weeks have passed since April 12 of this year when Imus (radio talk show host) was fired; the impact of this incident remains. In my opinion, Mr. Imus was wrong in saying what he did; however, I do not believe he should have been fired. There are other more appropriate sanctions could have been used. Sadly, there is a portion of America that will always make statements such as those made by Imus, however Minorities can be just as disrespectful and degrading towards each other as whites are to minorities.
Most minorities have heard and dealt with much worst language that the Imus comment. On a daily basis many of us hear the insults we hurdle at each other on the streets, at parties, functions, and even in the workplace. It is no secret that much of the hip-hop and rap music lyrics sung today is notorious for making less than flattering remarks. This music is played on the airwaves or videos come into our homes by way of television. If you can stand it, try listening to some of the music which is being sung today by many artists who see nothing wrong with speaking negatively about their own kind.
A few years ago, fellow Republican Trent Lott (former majority leader in the U.S. Senate) made a statement at a party about a colleague that caused minority leaders in America to ask for him to give up his Senate leadership position. When this scandal broke I wrote an article stating that Trent Lott should keep his position, but hire a minority firm to ease the tension, and assist in hiring more minorities on Capitol Hill. Hiring more minorities could have served to bring in minority ideas, and possible help to positively influence decisions that impact minorities. Instead, the pressure cause Trent Lott to resign from his position and in the end all involved parties lost. Two years later he is now the minority leader in the Senate; and nothing has changed for those that were at the receiving end of his negative comment. Has Mr. Lott changed his views? I doubt it; however, he might be a bit more careful about what comes out of his mouth in the future. The point is, while he made a negative statement about minorities in the past all appears to be forgotten. All we hear now is that he is the latest "comeback kid".
After the Imus incident, Oprah dedicated two days of her show to talk about "After Imus – Now What". The first day included writers and editors from major papers (daily circulation), and magazines that discussed how hip hop and rap is just as bad, or worst, than what Imus said. The second day included hip hop and rap record executives. The most notable was Russell Simmons, chief executive of DEF Jams. Both sides of the issues were heard, however I gained more from the perspective of the writers as they offered more suggestions on what could be done to reduce the negative images rap and hip hop artists have on those who buy their music, especially the women.
While, I think the discussions that immediately followed the Imus incident was positive; just as many predicted we all seem to have a short attention span. As quickly as the fire storm was kicked up, we are off looking for something new and juicy to get worked up about. So, firing Imus was only a temporary Band-Aid placed on an ugly sore that is much deeper than any of us appear to want to acknowledge. As with Trent Lott, I expect Imus will surface sometime in the near future on the radio, and none of those offended by his comment is in any better position than before the damaging comments.
Imus might not be broadcasted nationally when he returns, but after a few months, he will be back in the top 15 broadcasters in the country. If we really were concerned about the comment, and repairing this ongoing illness, minorities, especially women could have gotten much more from Imus, MSNBC and the station by asking for something more substantial than his firing. I feel that minority leaders and minorities themselves should have asked for more constructive remedies. Imus could have been made to: interview minorities, especially women for 6 months (everyday); interview the minorities (specifically female) basketball players during spring breaks, or Semester breaks; assisted with interning a minority to take over a time slot on MSNBC; interview victims of racial discrimination; proved scholarships to Rutgers minority students; or hold marathons that support Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Finally, I am certain that this situation will happen again; maybe not with Imus, but from someone else that we hold to a higher standard (e.g., talk host on another station, CEO of a large firm, another comedian, basketball, baseball, hockey players, or a sport writer etc.). Sadly, we cannot continue to only demand a public flogging of only those individuals in the public eye, to really stop these types of comments we must begin at home by no longer tolerating those that speak of us, or to us, in manners and language that we do not approved.
Lawrence Boschulte
St. Thomas
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