Maybe That Jackass Should Have Acted More Like a Mule

Since people keep asking me to opine on the Imus situation, I will now gladly oblige.

For the first few days after Don Imus went on his now-famous rant about the Rutgers women's basketball team, I was on the fence about it. I am not anymore. After having time to sort through not only what he said then, but also what he's said since and my own feelings, my stance is surprising even to me, which is why I'm not in favor of knee-jerk reactions in the first place.

Just so you know, I was exposed to Imus at an early age, and I've long since thought of him as a racist jackass. That is why I don't listen to him. I think his show caters to the lowest common denominator of society.

And that is why I don't think the man should be fired. In fact, I don't think he should have been disciplined at all for his statement.

What? How the hell can you say that?

Well...it ain't easy. In fact, I'm doubled over as we speak, feeling the same internal pain I felt when I once had to defend Ron Artest and Terrell Owens (neither of whom I consider to have a grain of common sense) within the same week.

Now, don't get it twisted. I am NOT defending Don Imus. It's just that I am against censorship. Period. People like Imus are the price we pay for allowing free speech. Don Imus and his idiot sidekick Sid Rosenberg have just as much right to express their opinions on their radio show as I do in this blog. If you don't like what they have to say, don't listen to it. If you don't like what I have to say, don't read it. It's that simple.

The fact of the matter is that he was hired to be controversial. Being a jackass is his job. I don't think it's fair to fire the man because he excels at it. I mean, you wouldn't fire your hairdresser for making you too fierce, now would you? Come on. What those jerks said, though extremely ignorant and in very poor taste, did not violate any laws or FCC regulations. All he did is what he gets paid to do. And now, because he offended the right people, he's everywhere. There are more people talking about him now, many of whom didn't even know who he was a week ago. I'd say that's a shock jock at his best.

But weren't you offended by the use of the words "nappy" and "hoes"?

Well, as an African-American woman, I have to admit it bothered me a little for about three seconds. Then, I considered the source, and I've been fine with it ever since. What does a man like Imus know about beauty? Have you seen him? He's about 200 years old and looks like that creepy, old, crotchety guy who lives in the haunted house across the street in all the horror films. He doesn't even fit his own narrow-minded European view of beauty. And it wouldn't surprise me if the only women who can stand to be around him are those he pays. I'm sure women are synonymous with garden tools in his world.

What does anger me is his apology. I don't know what it is about Americans and their need to hear apologies. Especially when they are hollow. Just as Michael Richards, Mel Gibson, and even Jesse Jackson before him, Imus and Rosenbutthead said exactly what they felt at the time. And they meant every word. Had there never been a backlash as a result of these comments, they would never have been moved to issue an apology. I would actually have liked for them to just come out and say, "We said what we meant, and we don't think there's anything wrong with what we said." That act of stubborn defiance would have garnered at least a little respect from me. Instead, Imus opted to issue a meaningless apology for anyone he offended. Is he serious? His radio show has been offending people since it's been on the air! Am I really to believe that now, in this instance, he regrets what he said? Puh-leeze! Does he really think Americans are that stupid? Okay, so maybe we are. Because in a couple of months, I'm sure the public will have other things on its collective mind.

I knew Larry Birkhead was father from the beginning!
Oh, wait...must...focus...on...current...issue.
Meaningless news stories, the ultimate distraction.

And, I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but I must speak on Revs. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. 'Cause I don't understand why Sharpton even wanted Imus to come on his show. That was a farce. Why did he invite him if he wasn't going to let the man talk? He had already made up his mind to insert himself into the situation and was calling for the man's head on a platter. Having Imus on his show made no sense. And then I see Jesse Jackson on the Today show talking about how they should fire Imus. Yes, folks, you read that correctly. Jesse Jackson said that Imus should lose his job for making racist comments. If that isn't the epitome of the cast-iron skillet calling the kettle black, then I just don't know what is. Let me get this right. When Jesse offended the Jews, he also made an obligatory apology and felt he should be forgiven. I was so glad when Ann Curry asked him how he figures this is any different. His ridiculous response doesn't even warrant comment.

Why is it that every time there's controversy that needs an African-American "perspective", the news media instantly runs to the usual supects? Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. We already know how they both feel on every issue: we must grab our picket signs and pitch forks and make sure are demands are met! The problem is, they are demanding the wrong things. Why can't the Today show solicit commentary from fresh voices? Tavis Smiley comes to mind, as well as Michael Eric Dyson. I'd suggest Cornel West, too, but only if you've got a good dictionary handy. These brothas understand what the real issues are. They understand that the Imus's and Rosenberg's of the world are only a symptom of the underlying problem. And, folks, the problem is systemic. Severing an extremity won't cure the pervasive disease.

So what if Imus loses his job? That won't help me and my contemporary African Americans. That won't affect our lives one bit, since nobody I know listens to him anyway.

And while we're focusing on this madness, our county is still at war and genocide continues in the Darfur region of the Sudan.