Maddenation
Imus in mourning
Don Imus is a guy from my generation who was arguably the world’s first “shock jock.” As you know, he recently lost his job for dissing the Rutgers women’s basketball team. Another interesting study in American culture, free speech, and the media.
I have never been a big fan of Imus, but I started listening to his show a few years ago because of his notable guests, which included many high level politicians and celebraties. I also occasionally found the banter between Imus, his staff, and guests funny. In fact, humor was the major intent of his show, and “the I-man” often evaluated his guests on the basis of how funny they were.
So Imus’s remark about “nappy-headed hos” was obviously intended to be funny, although I don’t think it’s funny, and neither did most of us. The fact is, Imus and his staff routinely used racial/ethnic/sexist/religious/gay-bashing remarks as part of their schtick. And his recent insensitive comment was no doubt picked from the rap music lexicon to look cool and edgy.
Personally, I’m not that concerned and certainly not shocked by the remark. A few years ago, before the coarsening of our culture, brought about in large part by the rap music scene, I would have been shocked. I’m still not sure I would have called for his firing, because I cherish free speech more than I hate insensitivity. But it would have affected me more then than now, and it might have caused me to stop listening to his show.
Now, I don’t feel much at all. Free speech protects you from legal ramifications, but you still have to face consequences. Advertisers leave and next thing you know your morning morning radio money machine is no more. Oh well. Those who live by the slur die by the slur, so to speak.
So for discussion questions, consider the following:
How ‘bout that Al Sharpton? Jesse Jackson?
Can we be funny without making fun of people?
Are those Rutgers players really scarred for life?
What does “nappy-headed” mean? (or is it nappy-haired?)
What does this have to with the Duke Lacrosse players’ rape charges?
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