Don't go THERE with the HAIR!

A review of concern about the Imus comment
By D.L. Norris

"Oh no... he did not go there-did he? Honey, did he say what I think he just said?", I asked my husband.

This was in response to the Don Imus remarks that were stated in a joking manner this past week on National radio and then website and television. But was he joking? And yes, Imus went all the way "there",as he refered to the Rutgers University's highly talented and winning college team athletes as Imus compared these to the athletes who won the game, the Tennessee female athletes: "Rough..Hardcore..Nappy headed hoes...Bugaboos vs wanna bees"..etc".

In disbelief, I then proceeded to call a couple of my professional "sistah" friends and advised them to check out www.youtube.com- already this site had Imus' remarks and was listed with the highest number of hits.

After some research about Imus' background, I also found out that he has made derogatory comments about one of my favorite poets and author, Maya Angelou. It's apparentl that Imus' style and claim to fame is to make controversial comments about many people.


Still in shock that a professional personality would make such an offensive, racist, ignorant, comment and on national television , I did not know whether to laugh at the ignorance or cry with disbelief? But as this recent Imus story developed over the weekend, I realized that I was not alone with my concerns. Nor was I the only one who felt that Imus initially made light of his comments as reported and also followed with an apparent initial light weighted apology too.

Then as the snow ball story continued to build momentum and simply has not gone away yet, the apologies leading into this morning showed elements of some genuine concern by Imus.

However, was this concern due to the concern of the negative response regarding his comment? Was Imus' now concerns due to thousands requesting for him to be fired? Or, has Imus truly had a change of heart about his comments?

After some thought about the entire ordeal, isn't it common knowledge that some African Americans, male and female, have issues with hair? -now, I could get deep with this, however, another time and another place. But more importantly, will these ignorant and negative stereotypes about African American women being called and depicted as whores and prostitutes" and as often portrayed in the media, ever go away. Will te general public accept and tolerated these type of comments?

Are "we" OK with the perpetual ignorant statements that recently seems to be heard on a grand scale more and more across our federally governed airwaves? What are your thoughts?:

Also, let CBS & NBC know too:

http://www.cbs.com/info/user_services/fb_global_form.shtml

http://www.msnbc.com/news/435157.asp


Imus article of interest:
http://news.aol.com/entertainment/articles/_a/critics-demand-imus-be-fired-over/20070409070209990001


http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bishop-td-jakes-official-statement/n20070409181309990006

http://news.aol.com/entertainment/articles/_a/don-imus-benched-two-weeks-for-comments/20070409070209990001