Tuesday, April 10, 2007

If only I were a wrinkled, mean-spirited white man...

...like Don Imus. Then I would feel free to insult whoever I want and know that my employer would merely "review the situation" and then tell me to apologize and take two weeks off.

But even if I had the carte blanche that Imus has, I might use it to make constructive remarks rather than calling the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" or fellow MSNBC employee Contessa Brewer a "fat ass" and a "skank" on-air.

Don Imus went on Al Sharpton's show to allegedly apologize, then blurted out in frustration "I can't get anywhere with you people". Sharpton patiently explained it this way: "This is about setting a precedent that allows racist language to be used in mainstream, federally regulated television and radio. What you said was racist ... This is not about whether you're a good man. It's about how you devalue how my daughter and the daughters of a lot of people listening are going to be looked at in this world".

That is so reasonable, and wise. And yet I get three white people in any room and one of them will smirk upon mention of Al Sharpton, as if he is the punch line to some unspoken racist joke.

Only in America can a white man regularly make racial and sexist slurs while continuing to greet respected commentators and attempt to hold serious political discussions on his show. Why don't Cokie Roberts and Tom Oliphant just say no to appearing on Imus in the Morning?

NTD

3 comments:

ross said...

Hi, It's very nice to read your wit and wisdom. Glad you are OK. Greeting from rainy Florida. Ross

the naked tapdancer said...

Ross!
So good to hear from you!
I wish it would rain more here, and wash away some of this pollen.
Glad you found my blog again.

ross said...

Me to. Yes allergy season seems to be year-round this year. Some say it the weather but I think the extra years might also take a toll. It is good to be back. Coming to Florida any time soon? Was it Yeehaw junction? Or something like that? How is business? Take care. Ross