Imus Protest! Unruly-Haired Hater
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Posted by Jill Nelson April 8th, 2007 |
I’m embarrassed to admit that it took a few moments for my outrage to kick in when I
first heard that nationally syndicated radio talk show host Don Imus had referred to the women on Rutgers basketball team - the astoundingly talented athletes who almost won the NCAA championship last week before being defeated by the no less amazing women athletes at Tennessee - as “some nappy headed hos.”
This is no surprise, since Imus’ insult was initially reported as simply the latest in the career of a man who, as the New York Times put it, “knows his way around an insult.”
I’ll say. He’s built a career on offending women, people of color, Jews, Catholics and gay people. He’s created a niche as the angry white man who’s willing to call a spade a “nappy headed ho” or, in the case of PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, “a cleaning lady.” The fact that he went after the 10 Rutgers basketball players, two of whom are white, all of whom are young, gifted scholar-athletes and champions, isn’t even a new low.
The truth is that as a woman, a woman of color, and specifically an African American woman, the insults come so fast and furious that there’s always the danger of becoming overwhelmed and de-sensitized.
Sad to say, but I’m used to hearing black and brown women being call “bitch” “ho” “skank” “skeazer” “gold digger” or some variation of all of the above in popular songs and music videos. “Norbit,” Eddie Murphy’s current movie, may be the most recent example of a black man putting on a dress and playing the fat, ignorant, loud, brown-skinned black woman as an object of ridicule and revulsion, you can bet it won’t be the last. And check out “Flavor of Love,” VH1’s hit show in which women demean themselves in an effort to get Flava Flav - brought beneath low since his high as a member of the seriously political rap group Public Enemy - to choose them.
What these three have in common is that they demean black women, earn handsome profits for their corporate sponsors, and for the most part exist devoid of criticism.
Maybe that’s because usually it’s a black or brown man doing the name calling. Apparently, being verbally insulted and dogged by our black or brown “brothers” is okay, although I’m not exactly clear why. Byron Hurt’s insightful documentary, Hip Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes, is a black man’s critical look at the misogyny, homophobia, and violence that characterizes much of hip hop - and draws explicit connections between damaging hip hop content and the corporate music industry’s take-over of mainstream hip hop.
I’m tired of racist, sexist haters like Don Imus hiding behind the notion that they’re courageously being “politically incorrect” and striking a blow against evil “political correctness” by using hate speech. Word up, Don: being racist, sexist, and disrespectful towards women and others isn’t cool, hip, or a revolutionary act of politically incorrect subversion, it’s plain wrong. Period.
Ditto for those rappers, fans, producers, profiteers and others for whom tales of a hard knock life, drug dealing, and contempt for women seem too often to be the foundation upon which success is built.
In what’s impossible not to view as the requisite next step in a cynical dance, a few days after his remarks Imus issued an “apology,” but as my mother said in cases of grave offense, “Sorry isn’t enough.” Still, it’s likely all those ten Rutgers ball players and the rest of us will get, since CBS Radio, who syndicates Imus’ show, and MSNBC, which simulcasts the show on cable, make too much money off Don Imus’ offensive behavior to demand more from him than lip service.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for any criticism from the journalists, politicians and others with something to sell for whom a visit to Imus in the Morning translates into greater visibility.
The National Association of Black Journalists, Angela Burt Murray, editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine, and a growing chorus of people of color and women have called for Imus’ dismissal. There’s no word from recent Imus guests Tim Russert, John McCain, Joe Lieberman, or Barack Obama, no surprise since Russert and Imus share a parent company, and McCain and Lieberman can’t risk losing face time in the corporate media by actually standing for a principal that might hurt the corporate pocketbook. As David Carr writes in the N.Y. Times (4/7/07):
“Mr. Imus is one of the most popular radio hosts in the country, with millions of daily listeners on more than 70 stations around the country. The television simulcast of his show on MSNBC is surging in the ratings-’Imus in the Morning,’ which the network simulcasts with the New York radio station WFAN, gained 100,000 viewers in the last year, for an average daily total of 358,000, according to Nielsen estimates.”
Which leaves Brother Obama to stand up for the sisters. I’m waiting.
Of course, one thing Imus has in common with many rappers - nappy headed bros? - and elected officials is understanding that there’s money to be made from insult and invective. Not to mention little risk insulting women, and colored women at that.
April 8th, 2007 19:52
I hope that you can respect me saying, ‘That I am not angered by the idiot Imus.’ And, believe me it’s not because I’m desensitized. I pity the fool and that’s worst…to have someone pity you.
Imus and that stanking Bernard his producer, well the way Bernard insults on a near daily basis gays and lesbians, let’s me know that he is so closested that he is about to suffocate.
I certainly have a disdain & distaste for the men, but I don’t tune them in. I tried a few years ago.
I put them on the level of the KKK I would no lest give them my productive energy embracing hate or rage. If they want to live their lives full of bigotry, so be it.
Because, there is something much deeply rooted going on within them both, other than racism gaycism or sexism.
I’m very glad that I found your site!
Happy Easter My Friend,
April 9th, 2007 15:08
[…] RaceWire shares a link to Jill Nelson from Women in Media and News (WIMN), who puts the insult from Imus in a broader perspective: I’m tired of racist, sexist haters like Don Imus hiding behind the notion that they’re courageously being “politically incorrect” and striking a blow against evil “political correctness” by using hate speech. Word up, Don: being racist, sexist, and disrespectful towards women and others isn’t cool, hip, or a revolutionary act of politically incorrect subversion, it’s plain wrong. Period. […]
April 9th, 2007 16:56
i contacted don imus about predatory lending here in america. i, got no response. the majority is that blacks are in foreclosure in record numbers all across america.
April 10th, 2007 06:36
WIMN’s Voices: A Group Blog on Women, Media, AND… » Blog Archive » Imus Protest! Unruly-Haired Hater I am a Back Woman who is proud of my hair no matter I choose to wear it straight to natural. Imus remarks matter to me only because I am tired of insulting my race be it the male or female members. I plan to start an on line protest by asking people to email MSNBC and any other known “IMUS” sponsor that if he is not fired they will be boycotted. Let go back to the 60’s and 70’s and make our feeling count! Freedom of speech is a right but what he said was personal but he used his professional format (his job) to air it and for that he should have that format taken way. Mr. Imus no apology will do.
April 10th, 2007 09:10
I want to point out that black male artists who protest sexism have been systematically run out of the industry. The white male record executives who sign the big contracts have decided no more Public Enemy, and that’s that. People who want to make it gotta play the pig role and adhere to the stereotype. It’s all about the money in this case.
April 10th, 2007 16:16
How can we find out who his corporate sponsors are? I think we need to boycott them. He is an ass and a dangerous one at that.
April 10th, 2007 21:26
When do we say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH? I want him FIRED. Where do I find the list of sponsors who advertise on MSNBC? I’m going to encourage others to boycott all the companies who do business with these Neanderthals. I am tired of being verbally attacked without consequence. Those young women are ME, and didn’t deserve these attacks by these old white men!
The climate in America is becoming more and more hostile to women in general, black women in particular. It’s not enough for these guys (Michael Richards, etc) to go “on record” with apologies. We’ve got to start hitting these guys in the pockets! This is America, money is the only way to get these people’s attention.
deal.
April 10th, 2007 22:29
[…] If you didn’t know already, Imus referred to the members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos.” Pam Spaulding has been all over the racial, misogynistic and class issues on this one. Even Al Roker is getting into the act. Various bloggers have covered the utter tin-earedness of the responses of inside-the-beltway media figures and politicians who can’t resist defending the old fossil.* Others have covered the free-speech issues involved with calling for Imus’s resignation. I, personally, don’t think a damn thing will change unless he’s fired given his long history of racist and sexist remarks and his use of the public airwaves, and I agree wholeheartedly that Imus’s remarks are just a cover for what he really wanted to say. […]
April 10th, 2007 23:03
The only good thing to come out of this foul, offensive situation, for me personally, is finding this blog (via the WAM listserv) and finding your brilliant voices.
April 11th, 2007 10:00
[…] It’s astounding that in the media conversation surrounding Don Imus’ characterization of the 10 members of Rutger’s women’s basketball team as “nappy headed ho’s,” Black women - other than those Imus imagines - are virtually invisible. Even when we’re the ones being dissed and dogged, when it comes to analyzing the situation, no one much gives a damn what we have to say. […]
April 11th, 2007 11:21
Don Imus IS an a** & is an equally obnoxious to all including, gays, women all races & even his own wife. However, his a.m. show is the only show that provides us with “unscripted” Q’s& A’s from this nation’s political & media’s leaders or wannabees. Imus has been very instrumental in solisiting funds for various charities & he can be useful in amending his BIG MOUTH & spreading the message of NON-BIGOTRY & correctness in speach & action. I say KEEP HIS SHOW ON!
April 12th, 2007 13:42
So, you mean, only Jessy Jackson and Sharpton can make racist comments and nobody can say a word, because they are “African-Americans”! Gimme a break! I’m so tired of this crap of “African-Americans”! Black Americans are that: BLACK AMERICANS. Enough of separations. Let us just work hard and cut this hyper-sensitivity.
April 12th, 2007 14:06
Milla, how is your comment constructive to this conversation?
April 12th, 2007 18:06
[…] The blogosphere, of course, was all over it: Imus Protest! Unruly-Haired Hater, Black Women: First Dissed, Now Disappeared, and Why Imus Has To Go were a few particularly excellent posts. […]
April 12th, 2007 18:53
I think Milla made the only sensable post on this blog.
April 13th, 2007 15:11
Read a post on this site yesterday, and now I see that it is gone. Administration, you don’t like others thoughts here, or only those that agree with how you feel?
April 13th, 2007 19:14
Sarah, what post did you read yesterday that is gone? The only comment that was deleted was one comment from a man who used blatant racial slurs and epithets in his comment, which violates our terms of use, hence it was deleted. We leave the vast majority of comments live, so long as they aren’t in violation of our terms of use. For example, there is one long comment thread in another post that is ripe with lots of disagreement, and we’ve specifically welcomed that.
April 14th, 2007 07:24
Ladies please focus your anger in a place that matters, this is a free speech matter. Everyone has the right to censor anyone. TURN THE DIAL TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, does the government have to tell us everything?
cheers
April 16th, 2007 14:55
Considering nothing is so sweet as the taste of revenge, it is possible that Revs. Sharpton and Jackson may have just cost Sen. Barack Obama his chance at being President of the United States.
There is clearly a percentage of VOTERS that tuned in weekly to listen to the Politicians that appeared daily on Imus in the Morning. Now that the program in which they kept informed of the opinions and actions of these politicians is no longer available, it is possible that this will affect their outlook on possible/current candidates.
Sen. Obama had already appeared on Imus in the morning before calling for him to be fired. That appearance was less than 2 years ago. Chances are if The Revs. had not began insisting on his removal from the airwaves and instead demanded change in the form of employment diversity, guest booking diversity, on the road appearances in more diverse communities, even his appearance at predominantly Black Colleges, where his program would have been opened up for dialogue between students, it would have been better than repainting the lines that divide this country.
The worst thing Sen. Obama did was assist in the demise of the program whose audience was predominantly Democratic. Democratic VOTERS are limited to Radio Programs as it is, without removing, not only a popular host from the airwaves but an honest one. Where will Sen. Obama connect to his white constituency now? Certainly not on Rev. Sharpton’s show. Certainly not on anything Rev. Jackson is hosting.
Where does Hillary stand now that Sen. Obama may lose votes? Well that remains to be seen. She going to ride the Graduation Gowns of The Rutgers students for as long as possible. The fact that they are Black is an advantage for her. Will this affect her desire to select Sen. Obama as a running mate if she wins the primary? Probably not. If she doesn’t choose him she’ll lose the Black VOTERS support in the general election. That’s for sure.
The “comment” itself touched nerves. Why? Because being a person with nappy hair has been a problem since before slavery. The fact that men of African descent have better hair growth than women of African descent, only adds to the problem. Being called a “ho” is as offensive as it gets and is intolerable. However, if I may use Oprah Winfrey as an example, nothing is impossible to overcome, including and especially insults. I’m willing to bet of the two slurs, “nappy head” was the more painful one. But that is just one man’s opinion.
The Revs. Sharpton and Jackson both failed in their attempts to be elected President of the United States and may have just caused the most potentially electable African American outside of Oprah Winfrey from being elected.
In addition:Understanding that this comment posted by Jill Nelson was on April 8, 2007, 4 days after I watched the comment live, I will excuse her implication that all would remain “status quo”. Now I will begin looking for her follow up on the actions by CBSRadio and MSNBC, and also Sen. Obama.
August 15th, 2007 08:21
[…] Long-time, loud-and-proud bigot Don Imus was fired from his national radio gig after a controversy swirled in response to his calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team “some nappy-headed hos” last spring. […]
June 10th, 2008 19:04
often we take license with each other in the forms of name calling though derogatory to many. To some of us it’s affection offered and received the same way. but, the Imus’ and other wantabes of his race are not a part of this membership
June 11th, 2008 21:34
[…] If we learned anything from the remarks made by Don Imus about the women of the Rutgers University basketball team, it’s that where there is racism, there is generally sexism, and so, too, the reverse. In a single phrase, “nappy-headed ‘ho,” Imus demonstrated how the two are inextricably intertwined. We prefer to take part in a women’s movement made strong by the diversity of its membership its fundamental unity of purpose: to improve the lives of women throughout the world. […]