Need A Date? How About 30 In One Night?
Marian Wright Edelman: Still Hungry in America
By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Did last spring's ouster of legendary shock jock Don Imus prove to be just punishment for his racially-charged remarks about the Rutgers University Women's Basketball Team?
If you ask Rev. Al Sharpton, then the answer is yes.
The rabble-rousing civil rights activist -- whose latest crusade entails holding corporate America's feet to the fire about its enabling of sexist, racist and homophobic public rhetoric -- told 'New York Daily News' staffer David Hinckley that he never intended for the national "Nappy Headed H*" controversy to end Imus' career.
"We never said we didn't want him to make a living, " he said. "We wanted him to pay for being a repeat abuser and he paid."
The 66-year-old Riverside, California native's name is back in the broadcastng industry news this week, with reports of a return to talk radio.
There's speculation that Imus, who is spendinmg the summer at this New Mexico ranch, may show up back at his old digs at New York's WFAN where he ruled the ratings roost for years. The Viacom-owned radio station hasn't named a replacement since Imus was fired in April.
If Janet Jackson could bounce back from Nipplegate -- with Tyler Perry's upcoming movie 'Why Did I Get Married' and a soon-to-be- officially-announced big deal with Def Jam Records -- and former 'Grey's Anatomy' draw Isaiah Washington can rebound from his public homophobic outburst -- with a new deal at NBC, including a guest spot on an ambitious remake of 'Bionic Woman' -- anything's possible.
And they are black.
Okay?
Ameica loves a comeback. And I'm sure Imus's will be welcomed with open arms by the mainstream.
Shoot, seems as though Sharpton is already on board.
Comments: (12)
Add a comment
By: David Yager on 7/18/2007 8:08PM
I've finally figured out why the media got away with working over Imus the way they did - it's rampant ageism! Chris Rock has some potentially hurtful racially tinged things to say (potentially hurtful if the viewer is thought / humor impaired), but people look at that cute smile and say, "he can't REALLY understand what he's saying - some writer wrote that and told him to say it."
Let's hope the public is now inoculated against Imus overreactions - after all, Paris Hilton is out of jail, should only be a matter of days before more 'important breaking news' begins ...
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Cecil Jones on 7/18/2007 11:10PM
Finally, it seems that America is ready to have a real debate about race and equal opportunity. In the heat of the moment, America failed to see that Rev. Al's attack on Imus was "Blackmail." Imus tried to be funny and he failed, but Imus brought more attention to a wonderful Rutgers girls basketball team through his failure than he could have done on purpose. Sharpton cried victim for self-engrandisement. He now has exclusive control over the N-word, but he did nothing to defend Edwards from the F-word. Hate speech is a problem because it makes money and opens secret doors to success. The real debate about race can begin with Imus and Kramer. Blacks will never move ahead if a word can knock us down. Imus is no victim. He has a right to make mistakes, but he has a platform that elevates the debate in ways that no other can. Free Imus and that's good for Blacks and America. Forgive, but don't him forget. We are equal.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Willie Jones on 7/19/2007 8:35AM
MSNBC has ruined my AM by removing IMUS. He is an acquired taste and I hated him for a while before I became addicted. As a "liberal", I have tried to watch "Morning Joe" but find it BORING. Scarboro mentions his stint as a Congressman about every 8 minutes and turned into a right wing nut. I have actually started having my coffee with FOX & FRIENDS. It is stupid and for right wing nuts, but at least I am not yawning.
NBC, I recently canceled plans to buy $15,000 worth of GE stainless kitchen appliances for our remodel because of IMUS cancellation. Will continue to boycott your products and advertisers. (I am a black man).
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ta'quon Jackson on 7/19/2007 5:02PM
Who called Al Sharpton "The rabble-rousing civil rights activist?" Al Sharpton, a street hustler, is responsible for the Sharpton-Freddys Fashion Mart riot of 1995, where 7 innocent people were murdered because they were worked for a Jewish man. How about the Sharpton-Crown Hights riot of 1991, where Sharpton called all Jewsih people "Diamond Merchants"? How about when Sharpton called Greek Scholars "Them Greek homos"?, How about Tawana Brawley, where Sharpton falsley accused many men of rape? The courts found against Sharpton and ordered him to pay a vast amount of money for his false accusations. How about his attack on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their 12 million church members? Sharpton characterized them as not believing in God. How about the Duke three? Sharpton falsely accused them of rape. The list goes on. Sharpton is a hustler, and nothing but a hustler.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Bill Flynn on 7/19/2007 10:03AM
I love it, oh by the way Imus is spending his summer on his ranch in New Mexico. How about mentioning that this is a working ranch that was created by Don and Diedre Imus to work with kids who have Cancer,Sickle Cell Anemia(a desease that afflicts mainly people of African desent)and children who have lost siblings to SIDS. All this BS about his racist comment and nothing from the media about what good this man has done nothing. The only time you read about it is when one of his loyal fans writes it in the comment section of a blog. You are cowards and media hype sycophants who just keep regergatating what is currently the acceptable topic
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Jerome on 7/19/2007 12:52PM
I'm tired of hearing about Imus , I'm sick of the racist Sharpton , I dont want to hear any more about princes Diane,(let her die) and I dont understand why its ok to call one A queer but you can't say fag or faggot I thought they ment the same , will some one correct me if they don't mean the same.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Jerome on 7/19/2007 1:03PM
And who was offended by Janey Jacksons nipples, not me , did"t bother me at all , they could have done A better close up , the problem is people like Sharpton and the media trying to tell us what we are offended by so they can use us. I sure as hell don't see how the clothes falling off jenet injured her career , some one if full of shit.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Bruce on 7/19/2007 3:00PM
Another thing about Al Sharpton is he takes up only causes that are directed at the Black Community. Stirring the pot is inciting a future riot. Now it's about Vick. A person who was arrested and arraigned for Dog Fighting. Then he equates that to the wrestler who killed his family and himself, that the media is not covering it emough. Hey, Vick is alive and committed a felony. That wrestler is dead. What does it matter who covers what and how much?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Robbie Rob on 7/19/2007 3:58PM
If you're going to be reckless and irresponsible w/a viewing or listening audience of several thousand or more, you have to be willing to take your lumps...that includes Imus and his crazy butt remarks, Janet's desperate attempt for some different type of attention by exposing herself and Isaiah Thomas' less than attractive behavior w/his co-workers. But, as w/all these examples, we rant and rave for a few days and then we find something else to talk about. By that time, yes, we do tend to be a forgiving society and will welcome back those who have taken advantage of us.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Ron on 7/19/2007 6:20PM
Wow, with all of these long comments I'll just make mine short and easy on the eyes:
1. Don Imus is a racist. If he had been African American they would have black-balled him until he was so he had to wear "Depends." *which he may already as old as he is*
2. I don't appreciate Oprah turning this into a "War On Hip-Hop" because of something an old caucasian man said.
3. Al Sharpton has been around for years. He helped Hosea Williams march on numerous occasions for equal rights in the African-American Community...for that reason ALONE OUR PEOPLE, SHOULD...RESPECT his work.
4. As far as Janet & Timberlake = Unfair.
5. Isaiah Washington is an idiot for bringing up something he'd gotten away with and thinking he was "above the law" because the creator/producer of "Grey's Anatomy" is an African-American Woman.
Reply to this Comment | Report This