Can we talk about Don Imus

[drockilles]

All he has to say is that he's screwing a black chick, and then it would be okay to make racial jokes. Works for Lisa Lamponelli.

[markD]

there is certainly a double standard in america regarding "racial humor". the minority comedians are free and clear to ridicule and imitate white people, and have it be "humorous"....but when it goes the other direction, a white comedian ridiculing or imitating a minority, it becomes racism. the double standard should be eliminated. either it is acceptable for all, or for none.

i find it hard to swallow that a certain culture can be SO offended by the use of over-used, self-created, derogatory comments, when said by a white person. i have heard these same racial slurs used countless times by other blacks toward blacks and it is deemed acceptable.

i find it very frustrating.

[toejam]

I think I'm in love.......................:ROTF:

So you're really into black men, Scott? Wow, I had no idea. Not that there's anything wrong with that. :ROTF:

[Extant]

i find it hard to swallow that a certain culture can be SO offended by the use of over-used, self-created, derogatory comments, when said by a white person. i have heard these same racial slurs used countless times by other blacks toward blacks and it is deemed acceptable.

i find it very frustrating.

Uh, maybe because of context?

In the latter circumstance, it's pretty obvious that there's no intent to offend at all.

[markD]

not true for the latter circumstance. the comments are TOTALLY derogatory when used black-on-black. the words are used as a put down no matter WHO says them.

it is that kind of "defense" that is the problem.

i will say it again....the double standard should stop. especially when it is deemed acceptable for blacks to ridicule whites, but not vice-versa.

[atomic charvel guy]

Danastas,
maybe you're taking me the wrong way, I'm not saying this guys the patron saint of all the downtrodden in the world, but he has done plenty of charity work where others haven't. The whole scenario is weak across the board.
Watch any def Jam Comedy show on HBO, if you can make it through more than 5 minutes, and most of their acts are ranking on whites, but that's o.k. with me, cuz I really don't give a flying flank steak, turn the channel.

[rjohnstone]

Uh, maybe because of context?

In the latter circumstance, it's pretty obvious that there's no intent to offend at all.

I heard them used in the same context many times.
If a white guy called a black guy a dumb n*****, he would be called a racist.
If a black guy called another black guy a dumb n***** under the exact same circumstances with the same intent to insult, it would be a non issue.

And Chris Rock... funny man, has done his fair share of bashing whitey in some very negative ways.
If that was a white guy making the same type of comments about black people, in the SAME context of a comedy bit like Chris Rock, he would be crucified by asshole Al and company.
It's a double standard.

[markD]

I heard them used in the same context many times.
If a white guy called a black guy a dumb n*****, he would be called a racist.
If a black guy called another black guy a dumb n***** under the exact same circumstances with the same intent to insult, it would be a non issue.

And Chris Rock... funny man, has done his fair share of bashing whitey in some very negative ways.
If that was a white guy making the same type of comments about black people, in the SAME context of a comedy bit like Chris Rock, he would be crucified by asshole Al and company.
It's a double standard.

THANK YOU!!!! my point exactly. either it is acceptable for all, or for NONE!!!!

[guitarsjb]

I heard them used in the same context many times.
If a white guy called a black guy a dumb n*****, he would be called a racist.
If a black guy called another black guy a dumb n***** under the exact same circumstances with the same intent to insult, it would be a non issue.

And Chris Rock... funny man, has done his fair share of bashing whitey in some very negative ways.
If that was a white guy making the same type of comments about black people, in the SAME context of a comedy bit like Chris Rock, he would be crucified by asshole Al and company.
It's a double standard.

YEP!

[fett]

Stick to the point. He didn't single anyone out. He didn't use the N-work. He made an observation and a comment that was so off the wall, how could anyone take it seriously? That's like calling me gay just because I like Hawaiian shirts. Was I offended? Hell, no. Did that comment insult my manliness? No. Was it meant as anything other than a joke? No. That's it!!! I'm calling the ACLU.

[Shawn Lutz]

I didnt follow the story too much. It wasn't the best thing to say but c'mon..he's a DJ attempting to be funny. He should have just said I crossed the line and came out with an apology and a statement that he will not discuss it further. Why is this any different than Chis Rock (who I think is funny as hell) calling white folk crakkah's? You dont see white folk up in a tizzy and demanding that he be fired and banned from performing.

People are too PC its getting sickening. I'm no racist but its getting outta hand. Also in the news was a woman bitching because the color tag on the back of her couch was the N word / Brown. I don't go around using the N word but I've seen it used a hundred times as a color name for brown...office products...kitchen products...furniture etc etc etc.

[hippietim]

The worst thing to come of all this is that Imus is getting attention and is appearing on my TV screen.

[danastas]

Do any of the white guys on here honestly feel offended when someone calls them a cracker? Can you honestly compare that to calling a black guy a N?

[fett]

Imus didn't call anybody that. He didn't go off on anyone with rants. He and McGurk and the other writers just thought they were being funny. Maybe, his ratings were down and this was all calculated. Everyone sure as hell now knows who Imus is now.:ROTF:

[hippietim]

Do any of the white guys on here honestly feel offended when someone calls them a cracker? Can you honestly compare that to calling a black guy a N?

Imus used the same words as Stevie Wonder did in his legendary song "I Wish". The opening line of that song is "Lookin' back on when I was little nappy headed boy". It is one of the greatest tunes of all time!

I never realized Stevie was such a racist. Someone should let Al Sharpton know.