Rutgers Blasts Imus' "Despicable" Remarks

But Players Stop Short Of Saying Radio Host Should Be Fired; They Will Meet With Him Privately

(CBS/AP)  The Rutgers administration and women's basketball team blasted Don Imus' "despicable" remarks Tuesday, but stopped short of saying he should be fired and agreed to meet with the embattled radio host.

In the meantime, however, the televised version of "Imus in the Morning" has lost three sponsors: Staples, Bigelow Tea, and Procter & Gamble.

Starting Monday, Imus will be suspended for two weeksfor calling the Rutgers players "nappy-headed hos."

Rutgers' athletic director, Robert E. Mulcahey III, thought a meeting with Imus offered the team's players a chance to listen to him and hear what he has to say. Several players said they wanted to ask the host why he would make such thoughtless statements.

Ten young women donned their game faces today and walked out onto the national stage, reports CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes. They were determined to show they are nothing like the derogatory terms used to describe them.

"We all agreed the meeting with Mr. Imus will help," Essence Carson, a member of the team that lost the NCAA women's championship game to Tennessee last week, said. "We do hope to get something accomplished during this meeting."

With uncommon poise for students so young, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights described how they went from elation to outrage in the space of 24 hours, adds Cordes. They went from playing in the college basketball championship to being humiliated on a national radio show.

"Unless they've given 'ho' a whole new definition, that's not what I am," said player Kia Vaughn.

Head coach C. Vivian Stringer said her players "are the best this nation has to offer, and we are so very fortunate to have them at Rutgers University. They are young ladies of class, distinction. They are articulate, they are gifted. They are God's representatives in every sense of the word."

She said it's not about the players "as black or nappy-headed. It's about us as a people. When there is not equality for all, or when there has been denied equality for one, there has been denied equality for all."

She further said: "While they worked hard in the classroom and accomplished so much and used their gifts and talents, you know, to bring the smiles and the pride within this state in so many people, we had to experience racist and sexist remarks that are deplorable, despicable, and abominable and unconscionable. It hurts me."

"You imagine in sports that the winners circle is genderless and colorless, and they got disabused of that notion rather abruptly," Sally Jenkins, a sports columnist for the Washington Post, told CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger.

In Washington, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino was asked if President Bush thought Imus' punishment was strong enough.

"The president believed that the apology was the absolute right thing to do," Perino said Tuesday. "And beyond that, I think that his employer is going to have to make a decision about any action that they take based on it."

Imus started the firestorm after the Rutgers team, which includes eight black women, lost the championship game. He was speaking with producer Bernard McGuirk and said "that's some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos ..."

"Some hardcore hos," McGuirk said.

"That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that," Imus said.

Imus' comments about the Rutgers players struck a chord, in part, because it was aimed at a group of young women enjoying athletic success.

It also came in a different public atmosphere following the Michael Richards and Mel Gibson incidents, said Eric Deggans, columnist for the St. Petersburg Times and chairman of the media monitoring committee of the National Association of Black Journalists. The NABJ's governing board, which doesn't include Deggans, wants Imus canned.

"What I did was make a stupid, idiotic mistake in a comedy context," Imus said on his show Tuesday morning, the final week before his suspension starts.

Asked by NBC "Today" host Matt Lauer if he could clean up his act as he promised on Monday, he said, "Well, perhaps I can't." But he added, "I have a history of keeping my word."

Of the two-week suspension by MSNBC and CBS Radio, he said: "I think it's appropriate, and I am going to try to serve it with some dignity."

[pared1]

"He's apologizing like a guy who got his first broadcasting job," said morning rival Howard Stern, now on satellite radio. "He should have said, '%u2014 you, it's a joke.'"

Cable commentator Bill Maher said he appeared on Tuesday programs, despite advice he skip it. "When have I ever been careful?" he said. He also questioned whether this was the most important civil rights issue in the nation that black leaders were spending so much time on it.


AMEN

He did nothing wrong. CBS should be ashamed of themselves for caving in to Sharpton.

[petesis]

Enough already. What do they expect from the guy. As for Al Sharpton? How is Tawana Brawley doing these days Al? Why don't you just shut your racist pie hole because you are just as bad from the other side.

[processor2]

Didn't Jesse Jackson refer to New York City as "hymietown" becasue of Jewish people there??
Is that not racist??? WAS JESSE JACKSON FIRED FOR HIS RACIST REMARKS???

...

I agree, what Don Imus said was disgusting.

BUT, "Freedom of Speech" is designed to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT"

Sharpton and Jackson need to remember, this country has freedom of speech.

...

[karmel3]

WHO EVER IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE

[processor2]

Didn't Jesse Jackson refer to New York City as "hymietown" becasue of Jewish people there?? Is that not racist???
WAS JESSE JACKSON FIRED FOR HIS RACIST REMARKS???

...

I agree, what Don Imus said was disgusting.

BUT, "Free Speech" is to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT"

Sharpton and Jackson need to remember, this country has freedom of speech.

...

[cathaleen]

I cannot understand why it is ok for certain african americans to utter bigoted comments (hymie town), and not have to answer for them.
This is certainly not an excuse for Imus, he should definitely should have known better, but why do only these standards apply to whites?

[pared1]

IMUS DID NOTHING WRONG~PERIOD

But I think he'll end up leaving this program and moving on to bigger and better things. He'll leave because the job offers will come pouring in.

CBS is full of nappy headed ho's

[processor2]

Didn't Jesse Jackson refer to New York City as "hymietown" becasue of Jewish people there?? Is that not racist???
WAS JESSE JACKSON FIRED FOR HIS RACIST REMARKS???

...

I agree, what Don Imus said was disgusting.

BUT, "Free Speech" is to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT"

Sharpton and Jackson need to remember, this country has freedom of speech.

...

[processor2]

Didn't Jesse Jackson refer to New York City as "hymietown" becasue of Jewish people there?? Is that not racist???
WAS JESSE JACKSON FIRED FOR HIS RACIST REMARKS???

...

I agree, what Don Imus said was disgusting.

BUT, "Free Speech" is to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT"

Sharpton and Jackson need to remember, this country has freedom of speech.

...

[processor2]

Didn't Jesse Jackson refer to New York City as "hymietown" becasue of Jewish people there?? Is that not racist???
WAS JESSE JACKSON FIRED FOR HIS RACIST REMARKS???

...

I agree, what Don Imus said was disgusting.

BUT, "Free Speech" is to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT"

Sharpton and Jackson need to remember, this country has freedom of speech.

...

[processor2]

Didn't Jesse Jackson refer to New York City as "hymietown" becasue of Jewish people there?? Is that not racist???
WAS JESSE JACKSON FIRED FOR HIS RACIST REMARKS???

...

I agree, what Don Imus said was disgusting.

BUT, "Free Speech" is to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT"

Sharpton and Jackson need to remember, this country has freedom of speech.

...

[processor2]

Didn't Jesse Jackson refer to New York City as "hymietown" becasue of Jewish people there?? Is that not racist???
WAS JESSE JACKSON FIRED FOR HIS RACIST REMARKS???

...

I agree, what Don Imus said was disgusting.

BUT, "Free Speech" is to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT"

Sharpton and Jackson need to remember, this country has freedom of speech.

...

[marcodele]

Don Imus has a long history of making racist remarks then apologizing. Its time for him and his ilk to go, and that goes for 80% of the morning jocks who use the same lowlife brand of humor every morning across America.

There is also some responsibility needed in the black community to quit using the same language then crying foul when it comes out of a white mouth. Watch one of Chris Rock's old routines and count the number of times he uses the n word and "cracker." It got him noticed and made him famous, which is the same shock jock technique used too often in the media.

As for Jesse Jackson, he is living proof that hypocrisy comes in all colors.

[pared1]

processor2 enough already with the copy and paste you nappy headed ho

LOL

[jasonmcj]

"BUT, "Free Speech" is to protect speech that is "politically INCORRECT""

Yes, it doesn't protect yur job though, where does the Constitution say that? It only keeps you from going to jail.

[bluestardad]

GET A REAL JOB
When will the focus be on a person%u2019s content of their character instead of their race? People make money by keeping Race in the forefront of the news. Would the Legislative Black Caucus have a job if everyone were called Americans that lived here? It is OK to remember a fault from time to time as to never let it happen again, but to make a living from dredging up past wrongs is a disservice to all those who actually endured the hardship. I myself will not accept the hate, guilt, or be held accountable for the transgressions of people who claimed to be wronged by people before my Grandfather was born. Don%u2019t push your opinions on the rest of us. If you want to that is on you but don%u2019t expect me or millions of others to accept your guilt trip. Make your life based on your abilities if you can, not clinging to the sorrows of hundreds of years past in hopes of explaining your own weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings! Take responsibilities for your own actions and choices quit trying to blame your problems on how others were treated!

[slntnsnty-2009]

This is America, he has the right to say something stupid, and you have the right to get off your collective dumb ***** and turn off the radio/tv if you don't want to hear it. Grow some spine and take some action for yourselves instead of crying to your government.

[rharrin1]

Maybe Sharpton and Jackson should listen to all RAP songs before they shoot their mouths off.

What goes around comes around.

[karateman39]

boo hoo. Cry me a river. Imus was probably speaking off the cuff. Everyone does it, he just had it broadcast over the airwaves. I do not think he needs to be fired. He appologized, he's suspended for a couple of weeks. Is that not good enough for everyone. The way Sharpton and Jackson talk they'd like to see him fired and strung up.

Yes it was politically incorrect and I applaud him for it. I despsie political correctness in the name of not offneding someone. Get e thicker skin.

[Syndicate]

If they fire Imus I will boycott CBS for a very long time.

[jfebiala]

When the new liberal order (Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama) comes marching in on January 2009, people who engaged in politically incorrect speech will lose their livelihood and their liberties.

[emtak1]

Disregarding the desires of the entrenched political feifdoms of American minority leaders is not a bad idea. For the most part folks like Sharptpon and Jackson have little character themselves and are often hypocritical. There's nothing worse than a hypocrite. Its worse than an honest racist like Imus.

But America would do well to see that racism is alive and well in our country, and it remains a threat to the freedom of ourselves and our neighbors. The threat doesn't need to be combated through exploitation of talking heads like Sharpton and Jackson thouhg, but through the hearts of individual Americans who call all the heritages of the world their own.

One million individual boycotts of Imus's program will do more to put a hammer down on racism in this country than will a new brand of political correctness fertilized by political hacks like Sharpton and Jackson.

Imus will reap the whirlwind of his own ignorance all the more, when American's revulsion of his racist comments comes down to a personal reaction by each of us to reject it.

[pghlady3]

First, this is america, freedom of speech, you can say what you want, because it's your opinion, and your opinion may not always be right.
Second, with Spike Lee making movies using "nappy haired hos", and record producers making CD's saying 'kill the hos" WE HAVE ACCEPTED THIS BEHAVIOR. If you fire Imus, you must fire Spike Lee, and all the record producers, and musicians who use the same words. It can't be both ways.

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[processor2]

Was Jesse Jackson fired for using the racist phrase "hymietown"???

NO


Should Imus be fired for using the racist phrase "nappy-headed ho's"???

SAME ANSWER

...

[pared1]

Hey Sharton & Jackson listen to:
Snoop Doggy Dogg - Down 4 my ******

[sproatsie]

Enough already! You, Rev. Sharpton, are supposed to be a man of God - yes? Well then trying acting that way! Imus made a mistake (you never have?) and he's taking responsibility for it.

[adventurepa]

Can't believe we are wasting time on Don Imus.
Who cares what he said?

[toolmangler-2009]

processor2; quit spamming us!

[triumph327]

Why are so many of you making this personal regarding Don Imus, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or anyone else? And why is it being toppled over as solely a RACE issue when it is a misogynist issue as well. The Rutger Basketball team is NOT all Black!

The BOTTOM LINE is, that rules have been broken and reprimand is due. In this case, 2 weeks off of the air does NOT serve Justice.

Furthermore, asking for Justice (that Don Imus be taken off the air) DOES NOT mean that he is not forgiven. It is asking that Justice be served.

[pared1]

The America I see coming under lib/dem control is going to be a sad, sad place.
Posted by janem4 at 10:23 AM : Apr 10, 2007


And the Republicans have done so well?

Get a life you nappy headed ho.

LOL

[mikecox1]

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are two of the biggest racists in this country. They just love to wade into incidents like this so they can keep the donations coming in to live the life they have become accustomed to.

[triumph327]

Why are so many of you making this personal regarding Don Imus, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or anyone else? And why is it being toppled over as solely a RACE issue when it is a misogynist issue as well. The Rutger Basketball team is NOT all Black!

The BOTTOM LINE is, that rules have been broken and reprimand is due. In this case, 2 weeks off of the air does NOT serve Justice.



Furthermore, asking for Justice (that Don Imus be taken off the air) DOES NOT mean that he is not forgiven. It is asking that Justice be served.

[lkwrealestat]

Mr. Imus' comments are demeaning, inappropriate, extremely offensive and irresponsible and Imus' forced apology three days later is not contrition enough or commensurate with the unconscienability and irresponsibility of such a racist, sexist and asocial comment about a whole group of innocent human beings. When you break the law, you can't just apologize and be absolved. Under legal standards, an apology, mitigating circumstances, and past "good works" goes to the penalty and sentencing phase, accountability under FCC and legal standards must first be addressed.

[wadyaknow]

As a very liberal Democrat i understand this was supposed to be a joke. I am more offended that that racist/homophobe Sharpton keeps garnering the spotlight. There is a double-standard here on the part of CBS and otrhers to ignore Al's arrogance.

[toolmangler-2009]

I agree with sproatsie. If they didn't shock you most people wouldn't listen to "Shock Jocks". If you don't listen then they get fired. Freedom of speech = freedom to listen, or not!

[lkwrealestat]

Mr. Imus must be fired. Period. Or, he can show accountability and take responsibility by resigning before being appropriately sanctioned.

And if MSNBC still wishes to air his show, or if CBS Radio continues to produces Imus' hateful show, they both should also be sanctioned and fined, or otherwise dealt with by the FCC for airing and promoting obscene and indecent materials on the public airwaves in violation with FCC licensing standards.

An apology is not enough:
There must be consequences commensurate with the offense of spreading hate, making disparaging statements about a group of people - here, Black women and feeding into hateful stereotypes that damage the image and value of Black women overall in society.

[pared1]

Mr. Imus' comments are demeaning, inappropriate, extremely offensive and irresponsible

Posted by lkwrealestat at 10:29 AM : Apr 10, 2007

Well duh, it's who he has always been on his show. It's what some people watch it for. So up to now it was o.k. but say nappy headed ho and things change?

Bull...he didn't do anything wrong. I watched him and he said it in humor. Get over it! He shouldn't of said he was sorry he should of called Sharpton a nappy headed ho instead.

[lkwrealestat]

Both CBS Radio and MSNBC did not publicly reprimand Mr. Imus although they denounce his remarks but that doesn't take away the damage. He should at least have been suspended without pay for a period of time. But he felt no real pressure from his employers for such a grave offense. This may only embolden others of Mr. Imus' ilk and insensitivity, who will take this as a license, a signal that to attack Black women, to attack young black women student athletes is fine because the perpetrator won't face any consequences if they subsequently just "apologize." We demand that the FCC does what's necessary to effectively take Mr. Imus's license away to freely demean Black women and Black women athletes on federally regulated FCC airwaves in the US that is also streammed worldwide on the Internet.

If CBS radio and MSNBC continue to finance, promote and air the Don Imus show, thereby evidencing their refusal to follow the obscenity broadcast rules, FCC must sanctioned them as demanded by FCC obscenity laws and standards

[gstegall3]

I'm not a racist but...I'm hopping mad that radical racist activists are able to persuade a large tv network to suspend anybody for an off colored remark. Mr. Imus, and CBS, should be ashamed of themselves for giving in to these people. Whatever happened to freedom of speech? His being on the air or not should be determined by his ratings, not a racist caucus! Truth be known, all they want is their mugs on tv.

[pared1]

janem4 and I stand by my statement. You are a nappy headed ho. LOL