What’s the Real Issue with the Don Imus Story?

Well Ladies and Gentlemen, today we start our journey down B.G. Street concerning racism and how it’s creeping ever so boldly into the mainstream outlets. Or is it? When I first heard of this story I immediately went back to Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, and Howard Cosell, both former NFL sports commentators who made derogatory comments referring to African-Americans on national television in the 1980’s? There was also Marge Schott who purchased controlling interest and majority ownership of the Cincinnati Reds organization in the 1980’s. Her many public rants using derogatory comment about African-Americans and Jews caused many baseball fans to be offended and hard feelings were made throughout the sports world. How about Al Capanis, former General Manager of the Dodgers in the 1980’s? He basically said African-Americans were not suited to be managers. These people were all reprimanded, suspended, fired or forced from their positions. How about Michael Richards, from the Jerry Seinfeld Show, and his comedy club rant in 2007? By the way, after that incident, a new box of Seinfeld DVD’s was being release soon thereafter and projected sales soared. Was that a coincidence? I can go on and on. So what's the difference between those comments and Don Imus’ comments? Nothing!

Now before I go any further let me state that I am an African-American man, because a lot of people get very sensitive over the race issue, and I believe that the harsh treatment that African-Americans, Jews, the Chinese, Japanese, Hispanics, American Indians and others have experienced is and was horrible, but let’s stay on-course for the sake of this discussion.

Don Imus and his producer used the term “Nappy-headed bitches and hos.” This is totally inexcusable and an unconscionable act, especially by a mainstream media voice. But like I stated in the introduction of the site, I want you to start thinking, not reacting. Thinking is proactive; acting is reactive. So let’s see if we can dig a little bit deeper than what the news is showing us and come to a sensible conclusion about the matter and act accordingly. Agreed? Remember this one quote and you’ll go very far in this life, and you wont be among the “herd mentality.” Deep Throat told a young Bob Woodward during the Watergate scandal “to just follow the money.” That infamous wisdom will help you throughout your journey down B.G. Street because most of the stories, especially the political and the current events, will prove to be commercial transactions, one way or another. Remember to “follow the money.”

Now Imus and his producer, Caucasian men, made inappropriate comments about African-American women on his CBS show. CBS is owned by Viacom, and Viacom also owns MTV and VH1. MTV and VH1 promote these vile rap song videos that degrade black women worse than just calling them “hos.” Most of the scantily-clad young ladies, are gyrating themselves and being viewed as objects for sexual gratification, rather than a respectable woman in society. Artists such as 50 Cent and Jay-Z are some of the biggest names in the business and are more culpable than Imus, in this regard. I use to listen to this stuff years ago, but at some point ladies and gentlemen, we have to grow up, be responsible, and be better examples for our children and our communities. I’m not letting Imus off of the hook; I’m just shifting the responsibility back onto the African American community for letting this happen. Yes, the African-American community lets this happen by performing it, promoting it, and supporting it. Funny thing is that we don’t own it. That’s another blog though. Sure, you might hear a little bit of uproar from some politician or civil rights activist, a symposium here or there, but nothing really gets done, because that doesn’t sell. Remember what Deep Throat said? Now we’re getting into the meat of this. I don’t personally know any of these people, but we can see what’s going on from viewing the facts and draw a conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt.

Questions to ponder:

• Is Don Imus a racist? I don’t know and it doesn't matter. Racism has and always will exist. Who needs Imus’ apology? If people would stop being such phonies, we’ve all said unkind words in a more comfortable setting, maybe not on the radio, but you know what I’m saying.
• Why didn’t Viacom say something to MTV and VH1 years ago about comments and behavior that were more offensive than Imus’? Remember, you make more money during wartime and chaos, rather than peacetime. And don’t forget that sex sells.
• Why aren’t Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton protesting against Viacom and the artists responsible for this vile behavior? Black on black injustice doesn’t sell like interracial injustice. {Side note: Additionally, so many people are so politically-correct and have code words and new terminology for everything. Today you’re not fat, you’re physically-challenged; you’re not a janitor, you’re a technician of the custodial arts; you’re not a maid, you’re a coordinator for domestic and private residences. It’s ridiculous! Most people who aren’t politically-correct aren’t free and don’t speak on certain issues for fear of being ostracized or being reprimanded. But I blame that on the average citizen. The average citizen has allowed the media to dictate what is acceptable and what isn’t. Who made the media our “Moral Governor?” The next time a big corporation does something you don’t like, we need to get millions of people to boycott them and they’re affiliates for a month and see what happens. Remember follow the money; it’s what these people eat, drink and breathe. That’s the only way they will listen to you.}
• Why are African Americans, male and female, supporting the degradation of the African-American female? It’s called soft brainwashing and I’ll address that in an upcoming post.

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton do a great job of distraction, but like I said above, interracial injustice sells. Don Imus will command a lot more attention and money for these guys rather than damning hip-hop culture. Why else would the media, Jackson and Sharpton give Viacom a free pass for so long? Hey, it’s just a question, not saying its so. But it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and I see webbed footprints all around town. There’s a duck somewhere around here. Another angle that we haven’t covered is all of the free publicity that Rutgers University is getting, not bad for the Scarlet Knights.

So I leave you with the few points listed above, my thoughts and another perspective from which to see this story and keep the playing field level. The African-American community needs to have the spotlight on it. Don’t leave it to your politicians and civil rights activists to save you and fight for you, you have a better chance in a sword fight using a wet noodle. The reactive response is to jump on Imus’ comment; the proactive response is to question this new found attention to racial insults and the double standard of Viacom, Jesse and Al.

Let me make one last point concerning offensive words. If any ethnic group uses slang terminology amongst themselves, but they find those same words offensive in the mouth of another group, then the solution is not to use those words at all. Sometimes you have to take the moral high road and be proactive in these matters. These words being forbidden to you will be forbidden to them. If you don’t like something, don’t tolerate it. Be disciplined enough to raise the standard in your community, and don’t support people whose actions you don’t support, i.e. artists, actors, athletes, business people, politicians, etc. Now go out there and make a difference!