If you've been paying attention to CNN news or any other news outlet in the past week, you're likely to have heard something about a guy named Don Imus. Don Imus is a radio host who has been outspoken and made some offensive comments in the past.
He made news again the other day after his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team as they recapped the game against Tennessee from the night before. He has had a tendency to make comments without really thinking and without much awareness or care in who it might offend.
The Rutgers women's basketball team has a number of African-American players who happen to have some tattoos and braided hair. Apparently this gives them a stereotype that caught Imus's attention as he referred to the team as a bunch of "nappy-headed hoes". Immediately people in the studio were caught off-guard as well as the listening public. Did he actually say what I think he did?
He has since apologized after being taken to task by the media, by the coaching staff, by Al Sharpton, and by society in general. His apology did not sound all that sincere in my opinion but so many people are hung up on having him apologize, have him fired, and make giant leaps in the fight against racism.
I am in no way condoning Don Imus and his comments, they were most definitely out of line and deserve some repercussions but the problem is so much larger than that. I have heard reporters, bloggers, and many other people talking about how important it is to make a stand in this incident especially since this is a huge racial issue. Is it really though? Have you listened to a Snoop Dogg, 50 cent, or Three Six Mafia cd? How many times in an album or song do they use derogatory terms to refer to women or to each other? You all know what words I'm referring to and if you don't...just think about it. Yet, people seem to be okay with that. It isn't very often that I hear African-American or African-Canadian people get upset or enraged when that happens. I know that some people pass it off as being okay between people of the same race because it bonds them or something ridiculous like that. If it is offensive to be called those terms...then it should be offensive no matter who it comes from.
My name is Patrick...I am called Patrick..it is acceptable for me to be called Patrick...I am not offended. I don't mind who calls me by my name....it's ok. It is socially acceptable. I may even have a nickname and people who are close may call me that....and that's ok. If someone who is not close to me calls me by my nickname...it would be odd...but not offensive. If African-Americans and African-Canadians refer to each other using terms that would be offensive from some....well that's a slippery slope because that creates an image and a stereotype in society that is going to be identified and in some ways validates those offensive comments to be used. If in the media, movies, music, and entertainment, people who look a certain way, act a certain way, are labeled using certain terms by prominent or influential people, that will spread throughout society.
The problem is so much bigger than Don Imus and his quick mouth and maybe instead of just attempting to focus on this one incident, the prominent individuals who are so focused on Don Imus could look beyond this and attempt to tackle the broader societal issue.
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