VTIME Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/070410 Take a stand against indecency and cruelty By Jemele Hill Page 2 The oversexed Jezebel. The welfare mother. The mammy. And now the latest catch phrase to be added to the lexicon of stereotypes about black women: the nappy-headed ho. Thank you, Don Imus, for your valuable contribution. If it were up to me, security would have escorted the longtime radio jock out of his CBS Radio cocoon with belongings in tow days ago. But for now, I'll have to settle for a two-week suspension that doesn't begin until next week. That'll show him. RELATED CONTENT • Tim Keown: Imus sets new low • Rutgers team responds • Don Imus suspended • SportsNation poll • Read ESPN.com user comments • Sound off! Days have passed since Imus, executive producer Bernard McGuirk and sports announcer Sid Rosenberg took turns taking cheap shots at the Rutgers women's basketball team, but I'm still boiling because too many people continue to defend Imus behind lame free-speech arguments -- remember, speech is free, but consequences are not -- and the idea that black women just don't know a good joke when they hear one. Tell you what, if this "nappy-headed ho" comment is as harmless as some of you say it is, say that phrase to your wives and girlfriends tonight (or even a woman on the street). If they laugh, I'll write an entire column about how humorless I am. Imus' comments were harmful to all women -- especially for female athletes who still struggle to gain acceptance in our society -- but they really cut black women deep. Our looks have been the subject of ridicule for decades. While history has kindly portrayed white women as bastions of purity and decency, black women have been characterized as hypersexed and indecent since the 17th century. So the phrase "nappy-headed" didn't bother me nearly as much as the "ho" part. In case you're wondering, I would have been equally outraged if Imus were black, Asian, Latino, Portuguese or Italian. The ethnicity or skin color of the perpetrator matters none. And since some of you -- actually, a lot of you -- have done the predictable thing and used Imus' predicament as a platform to hold African-Americans responsible for hip-hop, I'll briefly address that. Although I hope you know hip-hop didn't become the No. 1 music genre in the world because only black folks support the music. For the record, I am equally offended by the rappers who make music videos and songs that demean women -- although hip-hop artists didn't invent the concept of objectifying women. Many African-Americans have been outspoken about those destructive elements of hip-hop. Instead of just taking his lumps, Imus tried to challenge Al Sharpton on his stance on hip-hop when Imus appeared on Sharpton's radio show Monday. I don't stick up for Al Sharpton often because I consider him an agitator, but Sharpton's views on "gangsta" rap have been consistent and clear. Last week, Sharpton and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons held a public protest against rapper Tony Yayo -- who is associated with 50 Cent -- for his alleged assault of the 14-year-old son of a rival record company executive. Sharpton even called for a 90-day, FCC-mandated ban on all gangsta music. But that doesn't air on CNN and Essence magazine's Take Back the Music crusade -- a nationwide campaign that promotes up-and-coming hip-hop artists with positive values -- and it doesn't make the front pages of newspapers. But none of this has anything to do with Imus, whose apology I can't accept or take seriously. Imus has become a Hall of Fame broadcaster using race-baiting, offensive tactics. He is routinely offensive to people of color and women, and if he needs to lose his job to understand that there is no place for that, so be it. As a society, there are times when we need to stand together against indecency and cruelty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Yep, this story is definitely suffering from a lack of press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTIME Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 It really is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westy03 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Do you live in a cave? The story is everywhere. No excuse for what he said, he should be fired. 2 week suspension seems real weak. The one and only time I am going to agree with Al Sharpton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Of course it is. I mean, it's only on every possible media outlet and will be for the next couple of days/weeks. I guess since the news agencies on Mars aren't picking it up yet you aren't satisfied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 This is the first I have heard of this story. I guess it is just another example of the man trying to keep us from the truth. You got to keep an eye on the man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 for bringing it to your attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 This is the biggest sports related media cover-up job since the steroid scandal. They barely said anything about that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiken Rich Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 In baseball? What the heck are you talking about???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Here is another story the media will be trying to hide tonight...... the father of Anna Nichole's baby. You won't hear anybody talking about this story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 It's because "the man" is actually the father of Anna Nicole's baby. The man is keeping us down in connection with his "getting down." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTIME Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 http://myespn.go.com/conversation/story?id...850§ion=ncw He made this comment to Al Sharpton. He just keeps putting his foot in his mouth. He should be fired. These girls will tell their children and grandchildren about their tournament run and this will have to come up as is will forever be intertwined. I dont even know how anyone can question if he should be fired. Two comments one racial "nappy-headed" and the other misogynistic "ho's" put together as one phrase. It's demeaning to women of all colors. And no, the message is in every publication. Not even close. In fact, a LOT of people including a large percentage of women who dont follow sports had no knowledge of as recently as today when I was discussing in the cafeteria at school and at the store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Well tell them to watch any morning show, listen to any morning radio show, watch any entertainment show, watch any political show, to check out sports website, check out any news website, any entertainment website, or any evening news broadcast so they will know about it. We really do not need to know how woefully uninformed the people you go to school with are. It is a sad statement that they are all that uninformed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slu72 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Imus should be canned along with his producer who initially made the "ho" comment. He crossed a line for public radio. Are we violating his right to free speech, no, he's not going to be brought to trial for for bad taste. But given his forum, CBS or whomever he works for would be well within their right to show him the door. Remember Jimmy the Greek was canned for saying a whole lot less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiken Rich Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Imus or his producer or someone on the broadcast also used the word "jigaboo." I am at a loss as to why the broadcast world isn't also crucifing that drunken reprobate hoosier for that. I'm surprised that Imus has lasted this long. His show always held the facination of a train wreck but I've never heard him say two words I'd consider laudable.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTIME Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 >Well tell them to watch any morning show, listen to any >morning radio show, watch any entertainment show, watch any >political show, to check out sports website, check out any >news website, any entertainment website, or any evening news >broadcast so they will know about it. We really do not need >to know how woefully uninformed the people you go to school >with are. It is a sad statement that they are all that >uninformed. The word ho is offensive to all women. A lot of women are out of touch with the sports world, but they would still take offense to the NCAA runners up being called nappy-headed ho's. Its not on every station. Its been mentioned on ESPN and a couple of other stations. Its overshadowed the piece that ESPN was doing on Jackie Robinson and his breaking down of racial barriers. The majority of women just arent that interested in sports, dont act like its just my school. How many posters on this forum are female? What percentage? Probably less than 5% Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTIME Posted April 10, 2007 Author Share Posted April 10, 2007 He also called someone a fat sissy, which is derogatory toward homosexuals, and he's made several other tasteless comments. When is enough enough. If I had heard about those comments prior to this, I would have been just as upset as I am now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 the rappers you support v? aren't their lyrics often misogynistic? what about the racial lyrics? You sure aren't up in arms about that...in fact, i remember you quoting some Jay-Z lyrics and putting them on the board. The same Jay-Z that has song lyrics such as "99 problems but a **itch ain't one." odd... the author of the piece you pasted claims to be "equally offended by the rappers," yet fails to equally condemn the rappers that offend her. For the record, before i get called out here unfairly. I object to Imus' comments and see no place in any type of discourse for them. Like many public figures, i feel he is only sorry that he is in trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Box and Won Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Imus is a fossil - it amazes me that anyone was actually listening to his show to hear his comments. He ought to be fired, but they probably figured he'd drop dead first. Dude looks like the crypt keeper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Derogatory to the big boned crowd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NH Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 hey jibbs is from Saint Louis and is an up-and coming rap artist and he does nothing offensive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonwich Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 > These girls will tell their children and grandchildren about their tournament run and this will have to come up as is will forever be intertwined. God, but I love irony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 The interview America has been waiting to read. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20034211,00.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billiken Rich Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 Damn dude, what don't you remember???? Keeping us honest must be a hard day's work..... PS Glad to see you skewering his v-ness. Not so much fun when it's me...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moytoy12 Posted April 10, 2007 Share Posted April 10, 2007 "Keeping us honest must be a hard day's work....." I still haven't received a check from steve...i guess it got lost in the mail. "PS Glad to see you skewering his v-ness. Not so much fun when it's me......" Some targets are just a little easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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