Ryan ChartrandAnyone who hasn’t been under a rock for the last three days probably hates Don Imus right about now. Imus’ career in broadcasting has earned him a fortune, and in the process he earned an entry into the Radio Hall of Fame, not to mention a few other assorted awards.
“Talkers” magazine called him the best radio talk show host of all time. What’s all the hot fuss then?
The fact is, referring to the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy- headed hos” was probably a bad idea. But how much shit should Imus really have to take for a small comment that was, in all honestly, probably pretty funny at the time?
As of Wednesday morning, Imus has been suspended for two weeks, lost at least two huge advertisers, and withstood massive media ridicule and criticism despite numerous public apologies for his words. Not to mention the two ministers who are gunning for his head, and upset the Rutgers basketball team, which, in my opinion, is taking this whole thing way too personally, or maybe just too seriously.
Now, I’m not saying that what he did was right, or even acceptable; it was not. What I am saying is that our lives as mass media consumers and Americans depend on people like Don Imus. Where would we be right now if we didnt’ have Howard Stern, Don Imus or Larry Flynt to piss everyone off?
Most would probably argue that we would be a lot better off, but at what cost to our individuality and freedom (not to mention entertainment)?
The bottom line is if Imus hadn’t said what he said, no one else would have, and then The New York Times would have had to find something far less provocative to put on its front page. The kicker to the whole thing is that Imus, profoundly uncharacteristic of a true racist, appologized for offending or degrading any particular race or group. His goal is to be right on the edge of offending whoever he wants, to create controversy and to entertain.
Hell, “nappy-headed hos” aren’t even his words. It’s a direct quotation from the Spike Lee movie “School Daze.” I do agree that the ladies from Rutgers have every right to make noise about this thing, I would do the same, but they should also keep an open mind. Could they think of themselves as a white radio host whose goal is to make people laugh?
Imus has scheduled a personal meeting with the team to try to make nice about the situation, and what comes of that will probably be on the front page again. The next step should probably be a sincere apology over a pint and a steak on Imus’ tab. Talk things over, have some laughs, maybe even become friends.
In conclusion, Imus, like most humans, will make mistakes. At least he, unlike most humans, is acknowledging his mistakes, accepting the consequences, and trying his best to let life continue as planned with as few hurt feelings as possible. So come on, cut him some slack, you know you’re enjoying it anyway.
Dan Mrohs is a manufacturing engineering freshman