Not that anyone should ever expect anything but racism or sexism from Don Imus, but this seems like a new low, even for him. In describing the Rutgers women's basketball team Imus managed to squeeze both racism and sexism into one sentence (story and video available here). Such efficiency.He's marveling at the tatoos on some of the Rutgers plays (Gasp! Women with tatoos!), when someone off-camera calls them "some hardcore hos." Imus follows it up with, "That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm gonna tell you that now."
Yeah, Rutgers battled from a 4-seed to make it all the way to the NCAA championship game ... the best response to that is probably to belittle them for their crazy hair (it's not blonde, brown, or straight ... the nerve of these girls) and call them whores. Perfectly reasonable. ESPN should have changed their graphic to read, "TENNESSEE 59, WHORES 46."
It didn't stop there, though. Of the Tennessee players, he said, "they all look cute," before someone else off-camera says the game was a matchup of "jiggaboos vs. wannabes." Jiggaboos ... perfect. I see no reason why that should ever offend anyone.
Imus defended himself by saying that people need to relax and shouldn't worry about "some idiot comment meant to be amusing." Oh, okay. So people just need to learn that racism is funny when it comes from Don Imus? Got it. We'll get right on that.
UPDATE: Who's Worse, Don Imus or Billy Packer? Watch the video and tell us what you think. Also see video of Imus's apology on his show Monday and his appearance on Al Sharpton's show.
Comments (Page 1 of 34)
It's sad to think that a "grown" man has the mentality of a two-year old who doesn't know better. Big hair Don Anus should take a look in the mirror before he decides to degrade ANYONE!! Have you ever noticed how people with low, low self-esteem always find fault in others? He's really a sad case. I'm sure he'd never say it if he were alone--like most racists!! And to think he is trying to talk about somebody's hair? His hair looks matted and stanky and so does he!!!
Who actually likes his show? I mean really, who likes his show and why? It's got to be the most boring show since Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon Days! I'd rather watch a funeral every morning than Imus.
Maybe he should get back on the coke,supposedly thats when he was actually interesting.
I THOUGHT DON IMUS WAS DEAD. I KNOW HOWARD STERN KILLED HIM IN RATINGS A LONG TIME AGO. BUT SERIOUSLY I THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD. OH WELL THAT GOES TO SHOW YOU NOBODYS LISTENING TO THAT COKED OUT HAS BEEN ANYMORE.
Imus should be taken off the air, not for that "idiot comment" but because his show has become irrelevant. We're not in 1997.
I had no idea that this kind of filth was being broadcast. Imagine if we were reading an article from 1917 and the great Paul Robeson of Rutgers was being described as ugly and "nappy-headed" and being compared to the "cute" Princeton backfield of Miff Buffington, Peter "PipI" Longstocking, and P.T. Boatwright the Fourth.
Of course we'd call it a sad remnant of America's shameful racist past. BUT WHAT IS DON IMUS DOING ON NATIONAL RADIO AND TV IN THE 21ST CENTURY???
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Yes, that kind of comment shouldn't be made but popular radio hosts can get away with that kind of talk where other ones can't. Of course, Imus hasn't been popular for awhile now. As soon as someone in power actually realizes that, Imus should be gone.
Imus is no more racist than the next guy. we all make remarks in bad taste a time or to. the world is just to thin skinned, iman keep on keeping on
Could you imagine if Rush, Sean H. or Bill OReilly said this? There would be a media uprising demanding their resignation, apology and indictment. What a waste. When will Microsoft take their support away from this NBC abortion?
We do NOT all say racist things on occasion. The problem with Imus saying hateful things publicly is that he allows other racists to think such thoughts are "normal" and only offensive to the "thin skinned".
This is not a rare occurrence for him. Do a Google search on "Imus" and "racism" and you will find a number of substantive articles going back many years.
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This guy has been on radio for so many years and he knows exactly what he is saying!
This is 2007; I grew up in the 60's and what he said was something I've heard in the 60's; there's no excuse for it and he should be taken off the air. He shouldn't get a pass for saying that and how do you feel the players on Rutgers felt when they heard that!
Hey get over it , this was a spoken in fun and he is a true giver to many. I don't need to suckup to Don , he can handle this without my comments but just get over it. Go watch the View !
Oh give ne a break. First of all, it's only a TV/Radio show !! Entertainment should be at the very least entertaining, and it is in Imus's case. I've been watching him on MSNBC for over 10 years and I would'nt want to start my day any other way.
Keep the faith Don !!!!
Gregory
Oh, okay. So people just need to learn that racism is funny when it comes from Don Imus? Got it. We'll get right on that.
Works for Chris Rock and gangsta rap..Youre just upset a white guy said it
I didnt find it funny but too whine and cry while allowing much worse to go unnoticed is worse
It goes to show there is a lot of hate against black in united states we have to ignore some of these ignorance peoples and let god handle it this country will be punish by god for all it hate against black people it already started look at world trade center for one example.
Whats funny is that people still listen to this loser..He should have retired 20 years ago wake up WFAN...its mike & Mike for me until you get a good radio man...
Some of the stuff bein said against Imus on this thing is just as ignorant as what he said...
I agree such a double standard exists. Get real, relax people.
Just one question for those of you who say "Hey Relax, it's only a joke."
How would you feel if this were YOUR daughter these three old men were joking about on air? These fine players for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights are mostly freshmen and sophomores; none are old enough to drink. It would be wrong if Imus and his buddies were making racist comments about male adult professionals, but they are commenting on the appearance, race, and sexual actiity of players who are just out of high school, which makes it hundreds of times worse.
Again, what if it were your daughter? Would it be a "joke" then?
Do not defend them. They are indefensible.
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Imus just said what a lot of Americans are afraid to say. Americans will continue to say racist remarks against anyone who does not reflect their image.
Don Imus long ago gave up the ghost. When he wants to be, he is a genius. His serious interviews are incredible. But he is surrounded by Bernard McGuirk (whose Hispanic impersonations all sound the same, as do his Black impersonations, i.e., Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and O.J Simpson all sound the same), a dyed-in-the-wool racist and, once again, the racist drug addict and gambling fiend, Sid Rosenberg.
This is not to excuse Imus' inexcusable behavior, for he cannot continue to cloak himself with the excuse that it is all in humor. It is not. For these and other reasons, I find it difficult to listen to Imus. Unfortunately, both he and his show have devolved into a caricature that would make the Ku Klux Klan proud.