by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 10, 2007
All Rights Reserved.

utting his foot in the upper part of his alimentary canal, CBS Radio and MSNBC host Don Imus called Rutgers University national runner-up women's basketball team “nappy-headed hos,” while bantering with his producer Bernard McGuirk. McGuirk's remarks weren't much better, calling Rutgers' players “some hardcore hos,” to which Imus responded, “that's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that,” causing the tsunami of outrage calling for CBS and MSNBC to fire the 1989 Radio Hall of Fame legend. CBS and MSNBC announced a two-week suspension for his unacceptable remarks. Imus, who has a 40-year history of controversial outbursts, learned a bitter lesson about political correctness. Imus becomes the latest casualty in an era where racial insensitivity causes catastrophic damage and potentially career-ending consequences.

      Imus isn't the first to go down pontificating on delicate racial subjects. CBS football analyst and longstanding Las Vegas odds-maker Jimmy “The Greek” Synder, self-destructed Jan. 16, 1988 on national TV, opining about the genetic history and physiology of black athletes. Jimmy “The Greek” should have known better, watching Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Al Campanis lose his job April 15, 1987 for beating his gums on ABC's “Nightline” with Ted Koppel, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's entrance into baseball—the first African American ballplayer in the major leagues. Campanis told a national audience that Blacks were bred for physical activity not the rigors of the front office. Neither Campanis nor Jimmy “The Greek” used racial epithets or slurs, only openly professed blissfully ignorant, racially insensitive remarks.

      Civil rights leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton called for CBS and MSNBC to fire their 40-year radio commodity, the same man voted by “Talkers Magazine” in 2002 one of the greatest radio talk show hosts of all time. Jackson led a march on General Electric—the parent company of MSNBC—calling for Imus to step down. Sharpton interviewed Imus on his own radio show also called on Imus to quit. So far, CBS and MSNBC have seen a two-week suspension as enough punishment. No one can figure out what was so unforgivable about Imus's remarks. Some rail against the word “nappy-headed” as an unsightly racial slur. Others condemn the word “ho” refering to hardworking members of Rutgers womens' basketball team. “Ho” remains the ordinary vernacular of hip-hop, rap music and common colloquial speech among certain urban dwellers, especially the youth.

      Imus offered a halfhearted apology after realizing the gravity of his mistake. “I'm not a bad person, I am a good person, but I said a bad thing. But these young women deserve to know it was not said with malice,” said Imus, falling far short of the mea culpa expected to save his career. Appearing on Rev. Al Sharpton's radio show, Imus added more qualifications. “Our agenda is to be funny and sometimes we go too far. And this time we went way too far,” failing to acknowledge that his remarks were racist. “This is not about whether you're a good man,” said Sharpton. “What you said was racist,” accusing Imus of trying to “walk away unscathed.” “How am I unscathed by?” said Imus. “Don't you think I'm humiliated,” failing to acknowledge how his insensitivity hurt innocent Rutgers' basketball players and the country, battling to reverse an ugly history of racism and sexism.

      Imus caused more problems for himself by failing to complete an act of sincere contrition. It's not enough—nor is it the point—to talk about how he's been “humiliated” by making crude remarks. Instead of explaining how he tried to be funny, he should have profusely apologized, begged for forgiveness, asked to make amends and demonstrated his intent to enroll in sensitivity training. Displaying his need for rehab would have humbled himself before the outraged community seeking to exact a pound of flesh. “We have rejected his apology and we are demanding that he be fired,” said Los Angeles-based Project for Islamic Hope director Najee Ali, a local civil rights leader. Imus refused to (a) admit his mistake and (b) take the necessary steps to make amends, including sincerely apologizing and requesting rehab. Instead, the 66-year-old shock-jock lamented the inconvenience.

      Imus' racial insensitivity was not the unforgivable aspect of his current media mess. His inability to acknowledge how his hurtful remarks damaged Rutgers' team and the country displayed why public opinion hasn't gone his way. Calling players “nappy-headed hos” shows insensitivity and crudeness but doesn't, in itself, warrant CBS or MSNB to automatically terminate his contract. If Imus can't get his damage control straight in the next two weeks, the networks may have no choice but to end their relationship. “Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word,” said MSNBC, not certain whether Imus would weather the storm. Much of Imus' survival depends on his own words and deeds going forward. If his mea culpa is mostly about his inconvenience, then it's going to be a difficult climb back. If he opts for rehab, he's got a reasonable shot.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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