Imus isn’t the real bad guy
April 12th, 2007Here’s a great take on the whole Don Imus flap by Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock. Following Bill Cosby’s lead, Whitlock is much more critical of some elements of black culture than he is of Imus.
In the grand scheme, Don Imus is no threat to us in general and no threat to black women in particular. If his words are so powerful and so destructive and must be rebuked so forcefully, then what should we do about the idiot rappers on BET, MTV and every black-owned radio station in the country who use words much more powerful and much more destructive?
I don’t listen or watch Imus’ show regularly. Has he at any point glorified selling crack cocaine to black women? Has he celebrated black men shooting each other randomly? Has he suggested in any way that it’s cool to be a baby-daddy rather than a husband and a parent? Does he tell his listeners that they’re suckers for pursuing education and that they’re selling out their race if they do?
When Imus does any of that, call me and I’ll get upset. Until then, he is what he is — a washed-up shock jock who is very easy to ignore when you’re not looking to be made a victim.
Hat tip: Owen
Great point Whitlock. I’m glad to hear someone step up and make this point.
Am I the only one who had never heard of Don Imus until all this occured?
It will be very interesting to see this played out in the same time frame as the Duke Lacraosse case. Where is the press coverage roasting Nifong for ruining these kids lives? Don’t get me wrong, I think what Imus said is deplorable and he was rightfully dismissed. But I would like to see equal coverage of these events. The media spent alot of time showing these kids faces as possible rapists, where is the time spent showing that it was all a shady D.A. who was trying to get elected –
Me too, Mark. i had never heard of him until this all broke either.
Here’s another good article by Whitlock:
Don Imus said something really stupid and demeaning about some women he didn’t know. “Black culture” is being criticized, by some, for words and song lyrics that demean women.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. Maybe the best part about any of this is that it might promote some useful dialogue between the various sides — and it also might make a few more people THINK before they open their mouths. (I’m skeptical, but at least I see a glimmer of hope.)