Well unless you've been living in a telephone booth for the past week or two, you've probably heard about the whole Don Imus outcry. Here's the jist of the story: Don Imus is a "shock jaw" radio host, has been doing radio for a boat load of years. The other day during the NCAA women's finals, he and his producers were commenting on the game. They were talking about how rough the women players looked, how they had tattoos, and he wrapped it up with "That's a bunch of nappy-headed hoes." Since he made the statement he's made apology after apology. Some black reverends caused a huge uproar. And now he's lost his job.
What started it all:
I agree with most everyone that the thing Imus said was completely out of line and totally uncalled for. Well of course, this started a whole snowball of events. And spearheading these events was none other than Reverend Al Sharpton and Reverend Jesse Jackson. Go figure. Before you know it, these "Reverends" are calling for his job, condemning the man, and have taken a simple statement (granted, a foul one) and made it into a much bigger issue than what it really is.
Well Imus ended up apologizing over and over again. He talked about the issue on his show before he was fired. He told the public he wanted to make things right and talk to the basketball team directly. His wife talked on the show and expressed how nice the team actually was and for people to stop sending hate mail to the team, but rather re-direct it to her husband. Heck, He even went onto Al Sharpton's radio show and talked with him about the issue.
So here's a man that inadvertently humiliated some hard-working women, but made every effort to try and rectify the situation. I think this man made a mistake, truly realized what he said was demeaning, and asked the women, as well as the public, for their forgiveness. Regardless of what Sharpton or Jackson may think, I don't believe this was an expression of his hatred or prejudice for black women or anything else those Reverends may have pulled out of the sky. The man goofed up on his "shock jaw" talk show; look back at the history of his talk show and I'm sure you can pull up some dirt on issues he's made for himself.
I'm not an Imus supporter and I'm sure many of the issues and topics he's talked about in the past are things I wouldn't agree with. Much like the Howard Stern stuff... I simply don't like it. But putting my listening preferences aside, I do believe what has happened to this man is wrong. The outrage I have is the response from Sharpton and Jackson. Time and time again these two men have given the black community a bad representation and reputation. Some friends and I have been saying Sharpton and Jackson need to be stripped of their "Reverend-hood" for the past 2 or 3 years. I totally want blacks & whites to be united and these 2 men seem to constantly stir crap up.
A few years back as a photojournalist, I was covering a story of (rev.) Jesse Jackson visiting a dominant black church during MLK day. The hatred that was coming out of his mouth was unbelievable. MANY white and black churches had congregated together (especially in our city) to celebrate MLK day and unity. Black church congregations went to white churches and vice versa. What would seem like a step in the right direction for unity and harmony, Jackson thought otherwise and had the audacity to strike them down. For the life of me, I couldn't find out why a large black church brought in a man to preach segregation from the pulpit. He offered no hope or progression for blacks and other races to be united, but rather blacks to be independent and stand up for their heritage.
And lets look at Sharpton on this whole Imus thing by itself. From the get-go he's calling for Imus' job, striking him down, etc. Sharpton BRIEFLY mentions the airwaves and the television show. After Imus loses his job, Sharpton goes on to say that it never was about Imus, but rather the airwaves! What a double standard this guy is living and saying. He never once asked people to rise up against MSNBC or CBS themselves, but rather Imus was the target of his propaganda. And now supposedly it's not about Imus? Horse radish!
I believe both of these men have repeatedly pushed their own agenda and misrepresented the black community. And my heart honestly goes out to the black community because time and time again these men have made asses out of themselves. I really do believe there has to be a change in who is apparently representing the issues of african-americans today. It seems ever since I heard of these guys in my high school days, it was always negative. I think if it was in Sharpton's and Jackson's heart to do away with these issues and really, whole heartedly, push for equality, love, and peace, then it would show through their EVERY DAY actions.
Here's what a guy had to say from the Kansas City Star.
Whitlock statements reminds me there are level headed black people that know how to deal with today's society. He reminds me the whole segregation and prejudice issues that keeps coming up can be dissolved with proper leadership! It's refreshing to see this video and know that new black leaders are going to rise up, and hopefully they will be filled with love, great ideas and the ability to dismiss these issues that keep haunting our society.
