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I-Man Needs to Go
Published: 4/11/2007 8:30 AM
Last Modified: 4/11/2007 8:30 AM

I make a living in a profession where free speech is sacred.
I sometimes write things that make people mad. My employer sometimes runs stories that irritate a large number of people.
So, I am not for anything to suppress free speech.
However, I was so offended by what radio shock jock Don Imus said about the Rutgers women's basketball team that I think it would be best if he just goes away.
I don't know if I want him fired. But if advertisers want to boycott his show, and listeners quit listening, then that's also free speech and choice and I'm all for that.
The reaction of Imus has been almost worse than his awful description of the Rutgers team.
He has given several half-hearted apologies. At the same time, he's been defending himself saying it is nothing more than what rappers and others say. He also wants to point out his charity work.
Here's what Imus is missing. It doesn't matter what others say. It is what you said. Imus says it was a weak effort at a joke. No it wasn't. It was awful and racially insensitive.
And, your other charity work has nothing to do with what he said.
He needs to go but the public must speak with their advertising dollars and choice of radio stations.



Reader Comments 3 Total

Sharon Marrs (6 years ago)
I agree that Imus needs to go but he needed to go a long time ago. He has made insensitive remarks about American Indians, Jewish people, Italians and just about every culture that there is. However, I don't recall a large group of Jewish people referring to themselves as Hymies, Indians referring to themselves as savages, etc. the way it has become acceptable within the Black culture to use very derogative words and statements about themselves. I've heard the "N" word used by many more Blacks than I've ever heard from the entire total of other cultures. The Black leaders are outraged and they should be. But they need to be more outraged at the language used in almost every rap song that is played. Some of the most degrading phrases and words about women are straight from lyrics from Black rap groups. What is the derivation of the word "Ho?" Did it come from a Snoop Dog recording? Double standard? Yes. It is time for the leadership of the Black community to be just as offended and vocal about the insensitive words regarding women that comes from their own. Imus finally got what he deserved. Let's don't stop there. It's time clean up some other voices who have air time.
Bill (6 years ago)
Sharon, I agree with you completely. The world gets into an uproar over something a shock jock says, but conveniently overlooks statements from "leaders" such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

Have we already forgotten that Jackson referred to NYC as "Hymietown?" He was let off with a simple, "It was a slip of the tongue."

While Imus' comment was blatantly racist and doesn't belong, we need to start attacking this problem where it spends most of its time: in the black community.
Glenn Murray (6 years ago)
Klein,

What Imus said was reprehensible. It's absolutely your right to wish Imus "just goes away." I would simply say this. While in college, I was with some friends of mine, several of whom were african-american. At one point during the evening I said the "N" word. Even though it was said in the context of a joke, they were extremely hurt and disappointed in me. I immediately apologized and suffered for days. But then something wonderful happened. Because they knew me, they knew my character, they reasoned that I had made a mistake. And they forgave me. That still sticks with me today. It helped forge a part of my character and to understand that words are hurtful.
Imus doesn't need to go away. He absolutely deserves the chance to make amends and change the culture on his show.
I've watched his show every morning for five years. Ask Cronley if he thinks Imus meant what he said. Ask him if he thinks Imus is genuine and sincere in his apology.
I had friends who stood up for me once upon a time, and I'm glad they didn't make "just go away."
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Klein's Korner

Tulsa World senior sports columnist John Klein is in his fourth decade of covering sports. He started his newspaper career at The Daily Ardmoreite in 1977 and moved to the Tulsa World in 1978. He served 10 years as sports editor for the Tulsa World before being named to his current position in 2005. He also spent five years as the Southwest Conference beat writer for the Houston Post. He has won many writing awards and is a former Oklahoma Sports Writer of the Year.

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