Imus, The Duke Boys And Our Bloodlust

Dick Meyer: Thoughts On Building Up And Tearing Down Celebrities

(CBS)  This commentary was written by CBSNews.com's Dick Meyer.

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We have become serial character assassins.

Don Imus is just the latest example of something sad and unattractive: we have an insatiable, mean bloodlust for bringing people down.

By "we" I mean me. And you. And Imus, who of course has made millions tearing people apart and cackling at the demise of other famous high and mighties.

The collective "we" that is, I suppose, contemporary American culture has made character destruction and celebrity-slaughter the gladiator sport of our day.

People don't get ruined in football and boxing except by accident. But it is the goal of the culture of the character assassins. And the Coliseum is columns like this, Web sites like this and television networks like this. The Coliseum is filled with people like you and me.

We are all part of it. Who hasn't enjoyed the downfall of some famous person — be it Mark Foley, Ted Haggerty, Bill Clinton, Sandy Berger, Britney Spears or Martha Stewart?

The merits or demerits, guilt or innocence of any of these names in the news are absolutely irrelevant to what I'm talking about. Some of us hate some people. Period.

Plenty of bad people get their just comeuppance; plenty of innocents get slaughtered too. I won't even bother to give my views about Imus. I can't believe anyone in the world cares what anybody else thinks anymore: every possible opinion on the matter has been stated somewhere in the yakking universe five times, loud and soft.

The point is this sordid personality destruction has become a repetitive public ritual and we're hooked on it. Numbers crunchers could probably make graphs of the frequency and intensity of Great Falls. And of our voyeuristic, uncharitable fascination with them.

The Duke lacrosse team learned it can happen to ordinary people too, that unknowns can become knowns — famous and infamous — in one fast news cycle. A year and $3.5 million later, the accused Duke players have legal redemption but untold scars as well.

Their problems weren't caused only by a morally bankrupt prosecutor, but by a culture that was rooting for the fall of these privileged white boys who played with strippers. They certainly had their defenders in the world of professional arguers as well. That just meant that the whole case became an "issue" — partisan, divisive, loud and cruel.

It isn't hard to understand why there are so many character lynchings. There are a lot of rats and phonies in this world. Is the national supply of famous creeps higher than at other points in our history? Absolutely, simply because the supply of media is so vastly greater. More media, more bandwidth to create celebrities and then stalk them.

And with the Internet and ubiquitous television, geographic proximity is no longer necessary for a mob mentality to arise. We have virtual mobs. For briefing, shiny sick moments all eyes are focused on Imus — or Anna Nicole, Michael Jackson, Jack Abramoff or Ken Lay.

Our media and our culture have become expert at creating celebrities and other phonies.

We can turn a contestant on a game show into a household name in a week. And like some cheesy Hollywood threat: "We made you, and we can break you."

So many of the celebrities in politics, sports and entertainment are undeserving, greedy, hubristic, ostentatious, coarse, egotistical or vulgar. Of course we love it when they crash and burn. We wouldn't be human if we didn't. Some of them deserve everything they get.

And spotting these parasitic unworthies, calling them out, cheering on their demises seems like the only tool we have to fight societal fakery and fraud. How else can we fight back this amorphous enemy but to collect scalps? We wait vigilantly for their flameouts to lighten the loads of our lives with a little innocent gloating.

I do this in my column all the time. An aspect of this process is, of course, necessary to check the people who have power and abuse it. The game is different for people who hungrily seek fame, fortune and power; they're in the game by choice, they know the stakes and the risks and they want to play. That doesn't mean we should be quite so happy when they fall.

The problem is that we are devouring ourselves. We can create celebrities, but not leaders. We generate fame, but not honor.

Perhaps the most we can do, you and I, is try not to let this unforgiving quality of public life seep into our private lives.

[mrdevinblack]

For a week, we have sat and watched 3 words ignite a national firestorm of disagreement and bizarre events, ranging from racial and sexist remarks to a governor being in a hospital. Many of these remarks and events are disturbing, to say the least, to the point where one has to ask, "Where is this leading to?".
First, let me state emphatically that I agree with most everyone that was appalled at Mr. Imus' remark, but let us look at how a radio/tv program with a very limited demographic could cause this explosion nationally. Anyone who listens or watches Imus has to agree that his show is not geared towards the MTV generation. Guests have included politicians, authors, journalists and if they do book a musical act, it is one who hasn't seen the Top 40 in 20 years (such as Cheap Trick, a band who's claim to musical fame existed in the 1970's-80's). His show is geared more towards politically aware people in their late 30's through 60's.

[ttnh]

The stupidity of the comment made by Don Imus has been eclipsed only by the comments made by the elite of the Black community on the topic. For example, Whoppie Goldburg wasted no time lambasting Imus, but was quick to support singers and comedians who use the %u201CN%u201D word, %u201Cho%u201D and other racial epithets as freely as most people use %u201Cthe%u201D and %u201Cit%u201D in a sentence. Why didn't Rev. Sharpton immediately release a statement condemning Whoppie's comments? Is it possible there is a double standard? Perhaps the same double standard that says it's ok for a Black person to call another Black person the %u201CN%u201D word, but it's taboo for the rest of society to use the word? The word is a horrible word. It is wrong for any person to use the word, Black or White, whether you were raised in Beverly Hills or the ghetto. Wrong is wrong.

For the opportunistic elite such as Rev. Sharpton, Jessie Jackson and Whoopie to be taken seriously, we need to see them be just as outraged at rappers and comedians calling women %u201Cho%u201D and disparaging blacks. If they do not speak out on this topic, then aren't they guilty of being racist?????

CBS thinks that they can be pushed around by Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson. What Imus said was wrong by he did not need to be fired. You CBS, MSNBC screwed up and will live with this forever.
Imus was a man that made a mistake is there no forgiveness as many times as he said he was so sorry.
Well CBS, MSNBC and all the sponcers that left him we all will boycott there products and no more watching CBS, lets go with ABC.

[bwellmeier]

I do believe Mr. Imus's comments were not funny, somewhat ignorant and hurtful, but I don't believe his firing was a punishment that fits the crime. I have a hard time seeing Mr. Imus stand before Al Sharpton, a major blowhard and hipocrat to say the least, to give an apology to the young women the comment affected. Who is Al Sharpton, is that the best the black people of America can come up with as a moral and ethical leader? My God, give me a break! Mr. Imus should not have given that blowhard a minute of his time. Al Sharpton is like an ambulance chaser when it comes to looking out for blacks...I am more disgusted with Mr. Sharpton than with Mr. Imus. Where did the comment, "Nappy Headed Hos" come from in the first place. I didn't hear Al going after the person who came up with that frase in the first place, and why.....because that person was not white...hmmmm I do believe America would be better off without disgusting behavior but I'm getting sick of white people trying to be politically correct and not stand up for they believe in or how they feel. Ok CBS, you bowwed to pressure and for what? Don't be selective on how you police your airwaves. Hold everyone to the same standards with the same punishment or bring Mr. Imus back onboard after his sincere apology. I agree there should have been some consequence to his comment, but having the blacks call for his firing (unemployment), I think is going to far.

Mr. Imus, get smarter....CBS, get some balls.

[concho56]

This was the best, most intelligent piece written about this media bonfire. The comment, "We can create celebrities, but not leaders" is oddly complex -- the notion of "leader" being both old-fashioned and desperately out of date. It is tragic that this debate has to center around fundamentally stupid, ill-advised commentary rather than words that contain some whiff of honor. Well, I guess we have all left honor behind. Perhaps more folks in the media such as Mr.Meyer might take a shot at bringing it back? Hardly likely but one voice in the crowd is a start. And all the best to Imus who may have deserved public condemnation for rank stupidity but not for a an ill-bred and wolfish appetite for personal gain based on destroying the reputations of innocents. Al Sharpton he is not.

[processor2]

Don Imus was a big enough man to apologize.

Will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton be man enough to apologize to those innocent Duke boys for the false accusations and presumptions they stirred up in Durham, NC.

I won't be holding my breath.

...

[processor2]

Don Imus was a big enough man to apologize.

Will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton be man enough to apologize to those innocent Duke boys for the false accusations and presumptions they stirred up in Durham, NC.

I won't be holding my breath.

...

[ausum2]

I am a 48 year old black women and I don't think Imus should have been fired. I do not like what was stated by him. But I believe he has a right to his opinion. Where will this all end. We allow rap artist to degrade our young women all day and no one says a word or does a thing about it. People say things it does not have to be exploited. The Media is the one's that go to far. They played his clip over and over. By firing this man you take away his rights. I don't really care by what means he uses to convey them. YOU ARE WRONG FOR THE FIRING.

[corpknot]

Over the past week many have posted comments about the double standards on racism in this country, where black on white racism is acceptable, while white on black is not. Neither should be acceptable. Personally, I made my feelings on that clear as well as the true colors of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. This morning, I found something online that virtually mirrored the contentions of many of us, it is a press release dated April 12 from The National Legal and Policy Center.

Although the statement calls for the firing of Don Imus, which many of us felt was too severe given the duplicity that is practiced by the media on racial issues it is nevertheless a refreshing call to the carpet for CBS, NBC, Sharpton and Jackson.

Here is the URL to paste into your browser if you are interested:

http://www.nlpc.org/view.asp?action=viewArticle&aid=1957

[rae7254]

CBS continues their downward slide. No longer does it have the integrity that made it THE broadcast company of choice in America. It has succumbed to the overbearing far right and political correctness and is overreacting as the %u201Cright%u201D always does.
As an entertainer, for that is what he is, Imus has done no more than and far less than any rapper or comedian. However, he is white and therefore the falls on the wrong side of the tolerance double standard.
I am not an Imus fan nor do I listen to him, but I do support free speech. As long as CBS continues to supports unfounded attacks like this on free speech and other basic rights I will seek information and entertainment elsewhere.

[tiffcheree]

I cannot for the life of me understand how that one race can talk to each other in this fashion but let another race say it and that is racism.%u201D?(It's not like they have not said things about the whites)Everytime sharpton and jackson (not caps on purpuse) open there mouths it is racism...I cannot stand to listen to either one...I do not even know Imus really, but if sharpton and jackson spoke against him I am for him....Those two should be fired along side Imus if things are ever to be fair in this country....Ha! Ha!

[bigsk8fan]

"Imus? Well, he's gone, and there is only one real reason for it. National televison news editors did everything possible to open a forum on him to all comers and keep the controversy alive." Posted by zopa108

Yeah, that's the reason. It had nothing to do with Imus' "foot in mouth" racist comments. You Imus losers need to get a life and over it. I don't see how comparing Imus to any rapper or complaining about Black religious leaders in any way mitigates Imus' own racist comments.

[johnf57]

appears as though the execs. @ CBS are over paid TOOOO Stupid to make decisions so 2 Black radicals take over

[johnf57]

CBS If you think al& Jesse are so great put them on their own prime time show 1yr, min.,let the ratings and viewers response determine their face value,in the mean time tell them to go do what they know best,STANDING ON STREET CORNER PAN HANDLING AS REAL PEOPLE KNOW THEY are merely pet blacks used by politicans to make a show.

[johnf57]

SHAME TO CBS !! 2 men who profess to be men of GOD and civil rights activist sub their ill faded ways down your throat and you allow them to cloud your thinking.Don IMAS was man enough to appoligize,But 2 rev's. only wanted to seek and destroy, Nobody @ CBS was smart enough to tell these 2 that equal rights MEANS EQUAL. Does the bible say seek and destroy or turn the other cheek. CBS(million dollar execs),and the 2 so called reverends should hang their heads in shame for the way they allow SATIN to lead them down the road of politics Money,don Imas made a mistake,but you people do not have the morals to correct the problem.When did Rutgers team assign 2 reverends to think and control them??? is that civil rights or just TROUBLE MAKERS.??????

On this I largely agree with you. Except for the punch line. There are "leaders" of all sorts to be found out there if one takes the trouble to look. A fair number of them are actually developing in Congress--on both sides of the asile--as Republican complacency has been shattered and Karl Rove's stranglehold on both parties is fast disintegating.

Out in Califonia they have been watching the painful process of a celebrity turning into a leader. And, though it is invisible in your home base of Washington, a whole new generation of Democratic Party leaders is being minted out in all fifty of the sticks.

In fact, in some ways, the current situation is ideal for leaders in that leadership is not showboating, and showboating is what the media gravitates to instinctively. Leadership is also rather homely and dull--a bore to watch 90% of the time, and a bore to cover as well.

Imus? Well, he's gone, and there is only one real reason for it. National televison news editors did everything possible to open a forum on him to all comers and keep the controversy alive. After all, Imus and his racist soundbite made more entertaining televison than Attorney General Gonzales any day.

[wellsbillie]

white people get slurred all the time but as soon as a black person gets slurred its called racism
why dont black people get over it and move on
suspened for two weeks was good enough,Im tired of hearing black people hollaring racism all the time everything with them is racist!!!!!!!!!

[concho56]

This was the best, most intelligent piece written about this media bonfire. The comment, "We can create celebrities, but not leaders" is oddly complex -- the notion of "leader" being both old-fashioned and desperately out of date. It is tragic that this debate has to center around fundamentally stupid, ill-advised commentary rather than words that contain some whiff of honor. Well, I guess we have all left honor behind. Perhaps more folks in the media such as Mr.Meyer might take a shot at bringing it back? Hardly likely but one voice in the crowd is a start. And all the best to Imus who may have deserved public condemnation for rank stupidity but not for a an ill-bred and wolfish appetite for personal gain based on destroying the reputations of innocents. Al Sharpton he is not.

[leaveusflee]

The Rutgers team called this experience an "ordeal." What a joke. This was just some over the top shock jock calling them a name. Big deal. An ordeal is a family with a terminally ill child who must endure life with death the only end. An ordeal is when a family learns their soldier son, daughter, husband, father or mother was just killed in Iraq. An ordeal is being homeless and living on the streets and not knowing when your next meal will come. An ordeal is having to choose between buying food or heating fuel. Grow up!

[lestb35]

If they're going to fire Imus what about the other shock jocks that degrade women daily. Maybe white women don't count.