Don Imus' career on television is done, but television is not done with Don Imus. Yesterday, the women of TV talk weighed in on the "Imusgate" fiasco.
On the heels of a recent interview with Matt Lauer on The Today Show, Al Sharpton decided yesterday to make an encore presentation of his opinions with Meredith Vieira. This visit was more targeted at addressing the racist/chauvinist double standards in the music industry. Hmm, no wonder Lauer didn't score this interview -- it was worthless. I'm scratching my head. Where is the logical nexus between Don Imus and rappers?
In a somewhat predictable move, Oprah Winfrey sat down with the Rutgers woman's basketball team and discussed the situation in grand Oprah style.
The interview brought up an incredibly valuable point. These women had worked hard to make a great achievement and will never be able to fully enjoy it. Their accomplishments have been overshadowed by Don Imus' idiocy.
These woman are owed more than an apology; they are owed a true moment of celebration.















Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-13-2007 @ 1:35PM
David Weinberger said...
"Where is the logical nexus between Don Imus and rappers?"
Easy. Imus is taken to task for saying words said by rappers across all media countless times per day. Where is the outrage against them?
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4-13-2007 @ 1:55PM
Greg said...
Couldn't agree with you more David. I think it is a pretty easy leap in conversation. Imus said some stupid stuff and rightly got in trouble for it (not to mention his show is terrible in general not just when making racist remarks). Rappers continually demean women with similiar and in most cases worse messages as well as promote a gangster lifestyle that glorifies drugs and murder. Yet, where is the outrage from the media in general and the black leaders specificaly.
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4-13-2007 @ 2:03PM
RAL said...
Were the accomplishments overshadowed by Don Imus' remarks?
Or did they get overshadowed when it became a huge issue and everyone got involved?
Did Imus say something insensitive? Absolutely. Was it uncalled for and unprovoked. Definitely.
But what is the cross-section of people that listen to Imus AND are familiar with the Rutgers women's basketball team?? Did any of the team members hear the original broadcast? Their families? Other members of the collegiate basketball league?
Isn't it possible that until other people got involved, and all the media outlets replayed the insult over and over again until it was in the forefront of society's conciousness that it was a verbal example of a tree falling in an empty forest?
Yes, these women should feel proud for what they have accomplished, but could Oprah had told you who had competed in the final game BEFORE all this?
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4-13-2007 @ 2:04PM
Carissa said...
I agree with David Weinberger. Either a phrase is offensive or not. I'm not saying it was nice to do, because it wasn't, but I defend anyones right to treat someone like crap. Life doesn't always feel good.
While it was sad that it happened during their otherwise happy time, I can't say that if it didn't happen I would have even had a clue about the achievement, nor that these are actually intelligent women. So, in spite of everything, they actually come out on top, and can still celebrate.
Meanwhile, nothing will be done about people of equal race constantly calling women hos, and they'll just have to agree to be treated as sex cattle by "their own kind" as long as some white jackass doesn't do it. That's what's wrong with the whole 'gate in the first place.
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4-13-2007 @ 2:10PM
mike m said...
I'm honestly fed up with this whole thing.
Was Imus stupid to say what he did? Sure
Do I agree with Imus' POV? No
Why are we still talking about it? People need to grow some bullocks in this country. Fired over a comment? Why? And Al Sharpton is more racist than Imus is any day of the week. Seriously, it has gone too far. Sharpton needs to shut the hell up. Everyone needs to shut the hell up!
Imus shouldn't have gotten fired....it's his damned job to make comments like that! If Stern made those comments, he wouldn't be fired, even if it was on the David Letterman Show!
This is just a bunch of people getting their panties in a wad over nothing. they are words people. Get over it.
These Rutgers women need to grow up. They are more famous now, and more capable of getting a job now, then they were before the Imus thing. And Oprah is just jumping on a bandwagon, which is all she ever does, and which is why she's so GD popular.
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4-13-2007 @ 2:33PM
John said...
Howard Stern would not make such comments, he's not a racist. Don't lump Stern in with Imus.
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4-13-2007 @ 2:41PM
N. Suga said...
"I'm not saying it was nice to do, because it wasn't, but I defend anyones right to treat someone like crap. Life doesn't always feel good."
Exactly. CBS and NBC treated Imus like crap, and now he doesn't feel good. He has the right to say racist remarks over the air, and his bosses and their bosses have the right to get pissed off at him and fire his sorry ass. Problem solved.
And for that comment about the basketball team to "grow up," considering that half of them are 18, give them some time, okay?
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4-13-2007 @ 2:38PM
Zakk said...
Sorry,
But what a load of crap! I've had parties and someone has gotten out of line and had to be thrown out.
Did I cry about how my party was ruined because one guy was a dick? No, we threw him out and moved on.
Had Imus showed up at the celebration for the team and said what he said infront of the team, then maybe he would have ruined their moment. If he ran up on stage as they were be presented with the trophie and said what he said. That would have been their stolen moment. But he didn't - He said it on his radio show that no one listens to, and on a cable network that places below it's own sister station in that time slot.
I'm so tired of hearing about this. Personally, I've always thought Imus was unfunny. And I dont' agree with his politics, but I really think this is just more of Sharpton/Jackson race baiting.
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4-13-2007 @ 2:56PM
mike m said...
I lump Stern with Imus because it has nothing to do with being racist, and everything to do with power. being "sensitive" to librals like Al Sharpton is a load of bullocks anyway. Screw him. But the fact is that Stern COULD say those things and nothing would happen because he carries more power. Would people be mad? yes. Would people call for his resignation? probably. Would we still be talking about it? no Would Stern actually lose his job? No.
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4-13-2007 @ 2:57PM
mike m said...
Oh, and just because his comments were "racist", it does not mean that Don Imus is, in fact, a racist.
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4-13-2007 @ 3:51PM
ctdaniels said...
Exactly! Of course Imus can say what he wants to say. But that doesn't mean there won't be career consequences.
And whoever said that what we say is either offensive or it's not, that's ridiculous. Context is everything. Do you speak to your grandmother the same way you speak to your best friend? How about your boss? Your significant other? Your children? The weight of words changes a lot depending on who is saying them and who is hearing them, among many other factors.
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4-13-2007 @ 4:50PM
Nonchalant Savant said...
This was the best thing that could have happened to the Rutgers women's basketball team, because you can sure as hell be sure that they would have NEVER been invited to be on Oprah otherwise.
How must the Tennessee team feel? They WON the game (and the CHAMPIONSHIP), and they don't get to be on Oprah.
Anyone offended about that? Anyone?
Bueller?
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4-13-2007 @ 3:06PM
John said...
First of all, if you think Stern makes the same demaning racist comments than you have obviously never listened to him.
Stern is funny, Imus is not. And yeah IF something like this ever happened to Howard he wouldn't bend over backward to try and please the Al Sharpton's of the world, he's not a pussy like Imus.
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4-18-2007 @ 11:00AM
Mandy said...
Incredible! I am so freaking sick of the race card! So he said what he said, what about when Blacks talk or joke about Whites? Are there marches, media blitz, and Oprah? I think not. You mean folks like Spike Lee, Sharpton, Jackson and every other black leader have never said anything negative about non-blacks? Give me a break. End the race card now! Move the freak on already.
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4-13-2007 @ 3:12PM
Giza_Breck said...
"The logical nexus between Imus and the rapers"
Acording to Snoop Dog, who jumped on the bandwagon, Rappers direct their comments to women from the 'hood' not the young, promising, educated women Imus directed his comments at. How's that for a defense? It's enough to make you gag because that statement is indefensible.
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4-13-2007 @ 3:12PM
mike m said...
lol. ok. let me put this simply for you.
Stern isn't a racist. I get that and even said as much before. I have listened to him since he started, and am a fan of his.
That said, if Stern made those comments, or any other comments of similar attitude, he wouldn't get fired. He wouldn't be ostracized. Nothing would happen to him. Because he holds more power.
Yes, Imus isn't funny. Yes Stern is better. Yada yada yada. But Stern is also a lot more powerful than Imus is. That's my point.
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4-13-2007 @ 3:16PM
John said...
Agreed Mike. Thank God. It's a moot point now anyway because Howard is on satellite. I'm thinking we'll see Imus there as well soon enough.
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4-13-2007 @ 3:17PM
mike m said...
lol. Not on Sirius. Howard always hated Imus.
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4-13-2007 @ 3:25PM
John said...
So you've heard what Howard has been saying about this whole thing? You've heard the stories about Imus using the N word long ago in the offices at WNBC? It's no secret that this guy is a racist. Howard even pointed out he always wears his "n-word hating hat" all the time lol.
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4-13-2007 @ 4:48PM
MJ said...
Has anyone ever heard "sticks and stones ..."? Give me a break already! Grow up! I'm so sick of it. Did the man deserve to lose his job? NO! If you're white and you say anything that could be offensive you are a racist but if you are of any other race you can say whatever you want ... You can always pull out the "freedom of speach" card.
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