My Take

As you know, Don Imus got fired as he should. I've been listening to radio stations and reading various message boards on the Internet, and many seem to echo the same sentiments that the media took Don Imus' spectacle too far and rappers also say "ho" in their lyrics, so why is everyone jumping on Imus? Then there are those who went as far to say that Don Imus' firing is an infringement of free speech. You've got to be kidding me, right? All of these arguments are weak. Very weak and wrong...DEAD WRONG!

What Imus said is not okay. When he called the members of the Rutgers Basketball team nappy headed, he did not use that term in a positive or complementary context-- he used it in a racist context. In the black or African American community, if you referred to a person's hair as nappy I can tell you right now that would NOT be considered a compliment. And as far as jigaboos go, let me give you a definition of the word jigaboo which simply means offensive and disparaging words about black people. Oh, what he said should not be considered a big deal, right? Imus is just another shock jock and he says things to help him garner more publicity so he can get more people to listen to his radio show. Once again, lame excuse. One poster's comment on a message board was "Well at least he did not use the n-word..." Hey, you're right! At least, he didn't call us nigger because it is the only offensive word used when referring to black people! There's a cloud with a silver lining! I don't care what racial group he's addressing his racist epithets to. SAYING RACIST REMARKS ARE JUST PLAIN WRONG! WHY ARE PEOPLE DEFENDING THIS MAN??!!! If Imus talked about another ethnic or racial group, I would be just as upset. He is spewing hatred and it should not be allowed or condoned! PERIOD!

Believe it or not, I am not as mad at Imus' racist comments as much I am mad at the fact he called these young women hos! How sexist can you possibly be? He might as well call them whores, sluts, tricks, and Jezebels. Those words are not what you would refer to a lady and what these ladies achieved is far more greater than to be simply labeled as hos. Now, let me bring up an argument that if rappers use the word ho then it is acceptable for Imus to use it. I'll say this again, lame excuse. I agree that rappers use the word ho in their lyrics and should be accountable for their misogynistic tones. Honestly, I am more concerned and annoyed that these rappers use the word nigga. I don't care that some say they use the word and try to make it into something positive. Let's face it, nigga is short for nigger and it's negative connotation will always outweighs the "positive" new meaning that people try to give to it. I hate the word nigga and it saddens me that we still even say this word. I think rappers should be accountable and be barred from saying nigga. There!

These are only my opinions about the whole thing. You can agree with me or disagree, but I am glad that Don Imus was fired. Don't be too worried about him, though. I am pretty sure that he got an excellent severance package and pension plan and he can take his old racist crotchety ass somewhere and to enjoy his retirement. As far as I'm concerned, I'm done.