Radio host Don Imus has been suspended for two weeks by MSNBC and CBS Radio for the remarks he made about the Rutgers Women’s basketball team:
NEW YORK — Don Imus’ morning talk show will be suspended from CBS Radio and MSNBC for two weeks following protests about his reference to members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos,” both networks said Monday.
MSNBC, which telecasts the radio show, said Imus’ expressions of regret and embarrassment, coupled with his stated dedication to changing the show’s discourse, made it believe suspension was the appropriate response.
“Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word,” the network said.
The suspension begins next Monday.
Imus, who has made a career of cranky insults in the morning, was fighting for his job following the joke that by his own admission went “way too far.” He continued to apologize Monday, both on his show and on a syndicated radio program hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who is among several black leaders demanding his ouster.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson said that Imus’ suspensions would not halt the protests.
“This is a two-week cooling off period,” Jackson said. “It does not challenge the character of the show, its political impact, or the impact that these comments have had on our society.”
Imus could be in real danger if the outcry causes advertisers to shy away from him, said Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio. The National Organization for Women is also seeking Imus’ ouster.
Imus isn’t the most popular radio talk-show host _ the trade publication Talkers ranks him the 14th most influential _ but his audience is heavy on the political and media elite that advertisers pay a premium to reach. Authors, journalists and politicians are frequent guests _ and targets for insults.
He has urged critics to recognize that his show is a comedy that spreads insults broadly. Imus or his cast have called Colin Powell a “weasel,” New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson a “fat sissy” and referred to Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado, an American Indian, as “the guy from `F Troop.’” He and his colleagues also called the New York Knicks a group of “chest-thumping pimps.”
In other words, an equal opportunity jerk.
The only part of this I don’t understand is why Imus is being forced to make his public acts of contrition in front of a race-biting charlatan like Al Sharpton. All Imus has done in his career is insult a few people. Sharpton is best known as the man who falsely accused a New York District Attorney of raping a teenager. In the grand scheme of things, Sharpton is the one who should be facing public humiliation.
When is it going to end if a white person says something publicly against black people it gets National attention,And who comes out to of the woodwork Jesse Jackson. I’ve taught my children an old saying that sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.If anyone is prejudice and a bigot it’s him he has not said a good thing about White people in America in his life.
If the media is going to follow stories like this they should look at both sides and find the comments that have been said against other races by African Americans.Or they should prove to them that this country has made great strides in bringing equality to all races to a point were it’s not helpful to be white any more.
If you are going to discuss race in the media start showing the positives and not the negatives such as Men that have achieved great things in this country a few names to jog your memory.Martin Luther King,Colin Powell,Tony Dungy the list goes on.
Imus is a windbag that has never said anything worth listing to anyway.But know that you’ve got him in the spotlight his ratings are going to go threw the roof.
Why not just fire him and have a Minister do his show nice try but you know that won’t happen.Maye Jessie might be interested in the job.
I am fed up with all these people that get “hurt” by comments. Every one has a right to their opinion and can air it any and where any time. It is a shmae we can’t say anything without an apology to somebody. Screw them, if they can’t take it , too bad for them. SHarpton & Jackson are two of the biggest cry babies ever. We need to get back to free speech in this country!
Well, MSNBC, CBS, and Mr Sharpton and Mr Jackson continue to perpetuate the black/white racism. That’s what they do! They could care less about the six foot basketball players or the Duke players.
What religion do they profess that does not accept a sincere apology and deny forgiveness? How many charities or “kids with cancer” have they helped?
They are on a power trip to have someone fired at their whim and to put that “straight haired white boy” in his place. You have missed an opportunity to turn this into a positive race experience, but that is not what you want is it?