Imus, Ignorance and Race

My friend Rick introduced me to Imus when I was in college.  He was from Connecticut and came to NC to attend the law school at UNC-Chapel Hill.  He was the resident advisor on my floor at Ehringhaus, the south campus dorm where I lived.  I was a freshman and thought Rick, at age 22 was quite sophisticated, and he listened to "Imus in the Morning."  For a few years, I was a faithful listener, but never really a fan; eventually I grew disgusted with his "in your face, because I insult everyone it's okay brand of journalism." I confess that it has been more than 20 years since I've heard more than a few snippets of his radio show.

My sister, Rhonda, says that Imus should have been given the benefit of the doubt, that his apology was sincere.  She points out that for more than 30 years, he has been equally irreverent towards all; it's his style as a radio personality. She was surprised that I jumped on the fire Imus bandwagon. She reminded me that I had defended the white teacher who had elected to read a book called "Nappy Edges" to her elementary school class.  I thought that the book, written by a black woman, was a positive affirmation that the natural kinky hair texture of many black people was beautiful. The teacher read the book to her mostly black students because she also believed that it was about promoting a positive self image for young black girls.  The author of the book spoke out in support of the teacher because she felt that the teacher "got" the intent of her book. 

My sister, who has beautiful locks, says that she doesn't find the term nappy offensive.  She expresses her frustration with the schizophrenic nature of black people when it comes to hair; controversies like the black sorority a few years back who didn't want to award the first place prize to the young woman who had fairly won, because she had locks. I think that my sister has a point, but I don't think that Imus' remarks added anything positive to the mix.  I doubt that it was his intent to make a positive commentary on the beauty of black women's hair when he referred to the women on Rutgers' basketball team as "nappy-headed hos."

However, I really respect my sister's opinion and I've been rethinking my original support for firing Imus.  I still don't like what he said; I think it was an ignorant remark.  But when taken in the context of the times, perhaps it is less an indication of any personal racism on Imus' part and more of an indicator of the pervasive disrespect for women, black or otherwise that permeates our culture.  I confess that I am dismayed that all of the criticism of Imus for his remarks tends to focus on his use of the word "nappy" and not on the reference to the women on the team as "hos." Rhonda pointed out that denizens of the rap music world frequently refer to women as hos.  I think that they are also ignorant and I don't buy that it is some sort of artistic expression thing that is supposed to be regarded in a different light. When I read Imus' remarks, I became angry.  I'm still angry.  I'm angry that he would think it acceptable, in the name of humor, to once again belittle and demean black women.  I'm angry that too many men, white and black, publicly speak of women in derogatory terms and call it entertainment.

I decided to try and find the entire interchange between Imus and his producer about the women's basketball game and went to YouTube.  It was there; you can always rely on YouTube to have the latest.  Imus initiated the dialogue, commenting to his executive producer Bernard McGuirk, that the Rutgers' team members were rough and had tattoos.  McGuirk responded and said that they were hos; Imus countered with that they were nappy-headed hos.  But it didn't end there, Imus went on to say that the Tennessee players (Rutgers' opponents in the championship game) were cute (when is the last time anyone referred to the cuteness of a championship men's basketball team?). McGuirk concurred and avowed that it was kind of like a Spike Lee thing, like the jigaboos vs. the wannabees. Imus agreed. (They incorrectly identified the Spike Lee film which they were referencing as "Do the Right Thing."  The film is "School Daze." A central theme in "School Daze" has to do with the internalized color complex among black folks, the light-skinned versus dark-skinned obsession that has beset us since skin color became such an important part of the hierarchy of place in American society.  Jigaboos refers to dark-skinned blacks and wannabees to light-skinned blacks.) Finally, Sid Rosenberg, filling in for an absent sports announcer, commented that the Rutgers' women looked like the Toronto Raptors, and then McGuirk chimed in and commented that the team looked more like the Grizzlies (a Memphis team).

I confess that after watching the video, I'm finding it hard to understand why all the heat is directed at Imus; Rosenberg and McGuirk should share the hot seat.

Maybe firing Imus wasn’t appropriate. I certainly don’t think that it means that he is a racist because he said something stupid and hurtful.  I’ve known real racists and trust me, racism goes far beyond being ignorant and insensitive.  Imus has said that he realizes that he pushed the envelope too far; he was just trying to do what he does, be funny.  He acknowledges that his comments went over the line.  He has apologized to the young women on the Rutgers' team.  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 

For me, the bottom line is that in a society where we are continually bombarded with information telling us that we are a nation of couch potatoes, these young women should be commended for their athletic abilities and their team spirit, not publicly insulted with name calling. They played well for an entire season, well enough to play for the championship.  They lost the game to Tennessee and I'm certain that the loss was devastating.  They deserved better than to be publicly insulted in the pursuit of so-called humor. But I have to say a word of thanks to Don Imus, for making us acknowledge the issues of race and gender that we prefer pretending don’t exist.  Perhaps some progress will come out of all the dialogue about his ill-chosen words; I certainly hope so.