The firing of Don Imus brings to light a serious double standard in American culture that permeates more than language. It exposes flaws of what’s right and wrong in societal norms and values. Each person views the world based on personal experience. Our language and culture are constantly changing and evolving. What’s accepted today wasn’t yesterday. What’s tolerated today might not be tomorrow. Imus seems to be a victim of just that. But I wonder why what he said is acceptable for some but not for others.
Imus’ remarks towards Rutgers female basketball team was calling them “nappy headed hoes” was wrong. For some who don’t know what that means I suggest they pick up a copy of the ACADEMY AWARD WINNING SONG “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp”. This theme song for the 2005 movie Hustle & Flow repeated the F, S and N words 10 times in its lyrics. What sickens me is Hollywood rewarded this language and the glorifying of prostitution as something noble. But what it did was bring to light the marginalizing of black females in America. How can any dignified woman of any race stand to be called “hoes” or any disparaging labels? Where is the outrage?!? Yet you never heard a word from Dick Gregory, Al Sharpton, or Jesse Jackson. WHY? Two are hiding what they really are; racial profiteers while the entire country, black community included stands silent while MTV and BET play videos such as Snoop Doggy Dog’s music like “Slap the hoe”!
Reverend Sharpton was behind the push for Imus’ firing. He’s a public figure ordained a “minister” at 10 years old who’s profited by taking advantage of others fears and racial hostilities. In 1987 he perpetuated the Tawana Brawley hoax that permanently destroyed the reputation of innocent people. He was found liable on 7 counts of defamation and served jail time. He was De Facto spokesmen for the Cato family inflaming the Crown Heights riots, who referred to “diamond merchants” (code for Hasidic Jews) blaming them for “spilling the blood of innocent babies” while leading marchers demanding “no justice, no peace”. The riots caused millions in damage, undermined Mayor Dinkins leadership and resulted in the death of Australian rabbinical student Yankel Rossenbaum by a mob yelling “kill the Jew”. In 1995 Sharpton was involved in a protest at a store owned by Jews in Harlem. He stated “we will not stand by and allow them to move this BROTHER so that some WHITE INTERLOPER can expand his business.” An armed protester forcibly entered the store burning it down killing himself and seven others. Sharpton “expressed regret” for the racial remarks and distanced himself from what happened. How many people did Don Imus kill with his mean spirited remarks? Has Sharpton apologized for inflaming public perception while three innocent students at Duke were falsely accused of rape?
Reverend Jesse Jackson has made a living the same way. He appeared nationally by claiming to hold a dying Martin Luther King in his arms when MLK was shot to death in 1968. Every person in the room when King was shot agreed Jackson wasn’t there and didn’t even go to the hospital after the shooting. Yet he appeared on national TV the next day with a bloodied shirt using the media to play on a stunned nation’s emotion. He was suspended from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1971. According to its leaders he used the organization for his own personal agenda. What’s changed? Only his organizations name. Recently it was publicized that he was diverting funds from it to provide payments to a woman who mothered his illegitimate child while working in his office. Can you say bribes or “hush” money?
Our society is faced with serious challenges. We have a double standard that exempts some from using disparaging language based on race. The same company that fired Don Imus pushes music that glorifies drugs, rape, violence, racial separatism and disparages women under the guise of free speech. Today I listened to rapper M-1 (artist of acclaimed song “Slap A White Boy”) condemn “whites” for talking behind doors and generalized all white people as oppressors. I take offense to that statement. A friend of mine who I respect caused me to reflect on the responsibilities and differences between public and private speech and its consequences. I’m curious as to why the ACLU is ominously quiet with regards to free speech and the Duke Students but busy protecting child pornography and NAMBLA. Should Imus apologize to the white people also? There are two white female students on the Rutgers team also! As bad as Imus may appear he raised 1.3 million dollars for children today before being fired. What has Sharpton or Jackson done? When will legitimate community members with real concerns take a stand and look for answers to problems rather than lay blame while others use fear and ignorance to profit? The only remedy is education in the home, school and life rather than appeasement, posturing, apologies and political correctness. I’m credible now. My pastor ordained me over the phone.
Mike Kuchta
Ashville, NY
