Could You Call Oprah A Nappy-Headed Ho?

Nancy Giles Says It's Time For White Men To Stop Monopolizing Media

(CBS)  Sunday Morning commentator Nancy Giles responds to the controversy over Don Imus's remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team. She says sexist, racist humor isn't funny anymore.

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Try calling Oprah a nappy-headed ho...

So now "Imus in the Morning" is history, and an aging, wanna-be "hip" shock jock bites the dust. Okay. But what about the other highly-paid and big-money-generating windbags like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, Glenn Beck and Pat Robertson? Where's the outrage there?

For that matter, can we once and for all boycott the rap and hip-hop performers and the record labels who've generated billions by disrespecting women and "re-branding" self-hate into a cool cultural phenomenon. Hel-looo!

And just so you know, the women of the Rutgers basketball team were way too busy competing, breaking records, and putting themselves through college to be "hos." And none of them had nappy hair, either. Oh, before I forget, here's a general rule: Never, ever talk about a black woman and her hair. Just don't do it. It's too loaded. Too historic. Too judgmental. Too many products. It's just too — just leave it alone. Trust me.

The one silver lining here is that Don Imus' offensive remark has the whole country talking. And it's about time we talk about matters of race, gender and class. But take a look at who controls the conversation: Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Joe Scarborough, Anderson Cooper, Charles Gibson, Brian Williams, Keith Obermann, Bill Maher, John Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Al Franken, Howard Stern, and Opie and Anthony.

From network and cable news, to morning drive and talk radio, and even satirical comedy on TV, it's a mostly white male boys' club, both in front and behind the scenes. And that's got to change.

Women are a presence in mass media. But more women's voices must be heard. We can do morning drive and talk radio. More of us should be in the mix. We've earned it. We work, consume, vote, and we're in the majority. Hey, we gave birth to you guys! (Well, some of us did — I personally didn't, but you get my point.) Even Imus has a mother.

Because guys, this just isn't funny anymore.

[robeen28]

Thank you Nancy Giles!
It's about time a voice of reason pointed out the pervasive lack of respect for ALL women in our media and culture.
As a professional actress who recently found herself invisible after turning 50 (Just wait - your turn will come), I have long lamented the disconnect between the perception of women in the media and the reality that surrounds me. I proudly wear a Hillary Clinton for President wrist band and live in hope that we will triumph over these no-longer acceptable perceptions.
Robin Douglas

[beniceall]

Imus did not get away with anything and is paying the price but as Nancy Giles so eloquently illustrated LOTS of people do get away with saying things at least equal to and worse than what Imus said. My biggest hope is that all the good that Imus has done in his life will continue and grow. He and his wife have helped so many. He is paying the price, but should all the people that he has helped suffer too? We are all human and we all make mistakes - I am not saying what he said was ok under ANY circumstance. But the opportunity to correct our mistakes and grow is what this can be all about. The Rutgers Team brillantly know this and accepted his apology - how about everyone else doing the same and moving to do the right thing themselves. I was a first time donor to Imus's Radiothon because I didn't want the kids he serves to suffer more. Imus did not get away with anything.

[roxanne371]

I agree that there are too many music performance artists and comics out there saying exactly the same thing that Imus is being fired for. Who is making the choice as to when it is and when it is not offensive? Is the choice being made in accordance to who it is? If it is unacceptable for one it is unacceptable for all. It's time to be "equally responsible".

Hey Nancy, you forgot to mention that big mouth Rosie O'Donnell...like what she says is of importance?

[lfrancois]

Imus talked, walked, and broadcasted on the edege.
And like all who stay on the edge too long, they fall off.

The I-man went over the cliff.

Lash

[pared1]

Nancy Giles is a nappy head ho So is Oprah!

LOL

[singingtree]

Hair? We have sunk to the level of keeping our self esteem high by way of our hair style or lack of it. We should be extremely worried that our hair salons are called beauty shops, listed as such in the yellow pages. Why is our hair style tied to our beauty, why would we consider remarks about our hair worthy of firing someone. Now you know why muslim women choose to cover their hair, so they are judged for their character not their beauty. The true atrocities are being commited by cooperate america and the "public servants" they pay into office. The true atrocities are being commited by leaders who do not think intellegently before they speak, act, decide or vote. I would never support Clinton or Obama because they do none of the above.
Anna

[martinsmad]

Wait a *** minute here...what about Jesse Jackson and Al Sharptons comments about the Duke Lacrosse team? Anyone remember Tawana Bawley, or maybe a Life magazine article in which Jesse Jackson talks about "spitting in whiteys food"? As with Imus, I can go back through my memory and point to a pattern of racist remarks by these "reverends".

Are these inconvenient truths or is it okay for Hymie in Hymietown to be disparaged by a prominent black spokesman, and Reverend. And please forget the excuse that it was said off the record, he said it, therefore, as Don Imus is accused, believes it.

Are we saying "it's ok to teach hatred and intolerence at home, as long as no one sees us."

[sevenveils]

Ho ho ho, this all nappy headed fun

[bm6005]

Back in Cleveland, in the 60's-70's when Imus was a morning jock there ; his program was called "*** in the morning". 'Nuff said.

[kardav2]

First off I am not an Imus fan and what he said was totally wrong. But CBS firing him also I believe was completely out of line.
Why should freedom of speech work for some but others not.

[bm6005]

"A.N.U.S. in the morning for you censors!!

In the past week I've seen and read a lot of valid grievances and sentiments, but they rarely have anything at all to do with Imus. Who can hear anything good through all the noise and nonsense? Why anybody thinks ANY of this will make ANYTHING better is a mystery to me.
I find it insulting that some white guy thinks he can figure out what%u2019s ok for me to hear. It doesn%u2019t matter if he asks Al Sharpton or the staff at his network, consults his Ouija board, or pulls a guess out his ***. He will only know how I feel if I tell him.
People act like black people are so fragile that some words are like Kryptonite to Superman. When we hear them we are suppose to melt like a wet Wicked Witch of the West. Anyone expecting a %u201CThank you Massa for protecting your little pickaninnies.%u201D from me is going to be disappointed.

Imus said that his 2 week suspension was appropriate. This whole thing has been such a mess that I have no idea if Don Imus even wants to come back after that, but if he does I%u2019ve reached the point where I%u2019m ready to protest CBS, MSNBC, and his sponsors if he isn%u2019t rehired.

[jayport2]

First off there are plenty of women doing morning drive. Take the time to look around your dial and you will be able to list to more then a few. And as for TV again when it comes to real news programs women are every where. But when it comes to comedy men are just funnier. Listen to any female comedian and see what they see as comedy, i am sure it will have men at the butt of there jokes.

And lastly. If you chose to use Imus to make your stand I feel sorry for you. Nancy the highest court in the nation has stated that the KKK can believe in what they want no matter how misdirected. We can not afford to have people be the word police and what I can and can not say. Freedom of speech does not stop when it offends someone. And since when do you have the right to chose my words!

[seenit-2009]

I can't wait to see the burnout in momentum after Oprah gets her say on the air at next week's town meeting. Am I the only one who remembers how she was vilified by a number of hip-hop and
(c)rap "artists" a while back for standing up against the objectification of black women? The question is: will the commercial community check themselves in the same way for what has continuously been spewed on music TV and local radio for way too long?

If anyone is a "ho" - then I'd look to Sharpton and Jackson first. Preachers I know preach forgiveness in the public square. Please, tell me their credentials again???

[jottsmed]

Well, Cynthia, if Oprah didn't have all of her entourage, her hair would be "Nappy" or "Kinky." You choose the term. The reality is that until "Black people, colored people, negroes, African-Americans, *******," you pick the name, stop blaming "Whitey" for their plight in America, they "Shall Never Overcome."

[photon26]

Nancy Giles' selective criticism of only conservative media commentators shows how shallow she is. There are plenty of liberal talking heads spewing hatred on a daily basis.

Rosie O'Donnell said some Christians are worse than Muslim extremists; others, especially on the bankrupt Air America network, call our President a murderer, a terrorist, and worst. There are plenty of Black commentators who spew hatred of Whites. Rappers who make millions calling Black women Hos and ***. The list is endless, and not limited to the few prominent Conservative commentators she cited.

By revealing how narrow-minded and biased you are, you have marginalized yourself, and other women and minorities, even more. How can anyone take you seriously?

[two_sides]

Horray for Nancy Giles calling for a boycott and condemnation for all of those involved in the rap industry. I'm white so perhaps my comments will be discarded a "not valid" but I can't think of another more destructive force on the African American community. It glorifies all that is negative.
Unfortunately, Ms Giles also exhibits a classic example of bias and of the racist double standard that allows African Americans to uses unacceptable labels. She only gives examples of conservative commentator "blowhards" and of couse we all know that refering to Caucasians as "White Boys" is OK if you are Black. God forbid if any black over the age of 12 is called a boy. This kind of commentary only works to divide the country and frankly most caucasians no longer have any guilt over the plight of black america. The lack of real condemnation of black racism and self destructive behavior is hurting all America and especially African Americans. Continuing to cry wolf by blaming "white boys" for most of Black America's problems sometimes makes the valid claims of racism to be treated with less urgency. Too bad many of all races can't remember the following pearls of wisdom; that all men are created equal and they should be known by the content of their character rather than the color of their skin.

[bata_batuta]

Call Ho-prah a nappy headed ho? Sure, easy. Are you prepared to get bombarded with tirades and criticisms from the public on why you said this? Heck no.

If people's jobs, reputation, or social status are not stake when degrading someone's race, then people would be saying what's on their mind. The fear of retaliation and dire consequence prevents most people from saying what the 'truth' is.

I'm sure that this whole situation with Imus wouldn't have been blown out of proportion if it weren't for Sharpton. If the Rutgers b-ball team is OK with the whole situation, then why can't other people?

[ayla45-2009]

" what about the other highly-paid and big-money-generating windbags like Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, Glenn Beck and Pat Robertson? Where's the outrage there?" Nancy Giles is refreshing, down to earth and not packaged as other news representatives - Keep up the good work Nancy

[ddnewkirk]

"it's a mostly white male boys' club"

I am white, so I can only assume that if there were non-white men in the list, it would be a mens club?

I agree with the person who posted earlier about Ms. Giles being a little hostile/angry at the subject matter and basically "firing back" in a rather inappropriate way.

I have determined that I will not watch this program unless CBS can address this matter of a racist remark on her program.

[zaibatsu1]

I don't know if Imus is a racist down deep. Only he knows that. I do know that in the fast-paced world of live radio, it is impossible for a talk-show host to go a day without regretting something he said. Imus' schtick is to be abrasive and insulting. My gut tells me that in the fast-paced moment, he was just trying to say something "funny" to his listeners/viewers--who like this kind of radio/TV humor. I don't think he immediately thought it was over line; in his business, you have to cringe internally and then keep going. It is possible that it took the firestorm for him to consider his words and agree they were over the line. It possible, that like many of our public officials who are caught in a lie, a cheat, or a swindle, they are really only sorry they got caught and are saving their jobs. Only Imus knows for sure. An apology is only as good as the reformed behavior that follows. Unfortunately, we will not get a chance to see that behavior (at least until after Sirius and XM merge).

[vmcgrew-2009]

Nancy, you said outrage to inappropriate behavior should to all. Then, you rant about the news MEN & call them %u201CWhite Boys Club%u201D members%u201D. Did you succumb to personal bias, or was it an "inadvertent slip"? The knife of racial slurs, ethnic bias & gender bashing cuts both ways. Making inappropriate racial, ethnic & gender remarks is wrong no matter who is uttering them. Don Imus' racial-slur was in answer to the Producer, who said "Ho", & no mention of it. The players are "African American Women". Yet you call them "white boys". If ANYONE said "black boys" we%u2019d have uproar. None of the news MEN made racial remarks, jokes or "sided" with Imus. They reported on stories in the scope of their jobs, just like you. What%u2019s lost here is: WHITE IS A COLOR. I am a professional woman and Caucasian, proud of my race and gender. I am not a "White Girl", "Honky", "Gringa" or "Round-eye". Where is the outrage to those words? Webster%u2019s definition: "Treatment or consideration of or making a distinction for or against a person or thing based on a group, class, or category the person or thing belongs to rather than on individual merit.%u201D Discrimination is an act. It's not the "intent" of your words, it's the words, spirit & and your emphasis. Do CBS%u2019 policies of fairness, decorum & appropriateness extend to all racial/ethnic groups? You & CBS MUST apologize ON AIR.

[hercules2007]

Since you were naming names last Sunday during your commentary, you were only naming the "White Males Boy's Club" and then the "rap and hip-hop performers", I felt you missed a few. For example the SO called Reverands Sharpton and Jackson. I know they preach forgiveness in the public square but both have had their day in this agenda also along with Rosie O'Donald. Lastly please don't get me started with Oprah. Who's past track record isn't squeeky clean as you had suggested.

[raceless]

Here is my opinon on race. Only those who think theirs is better will use it in any other way than Identification information as found on a drivers liscense. Another thing that no one seems to understand. Jobs in the entertainment industry from acting to news anchor. These jobs are controlled by popularity. If you say something that the Majority dislike expect your career to suffer. If there seems to be a lack of certain types if people in these jobs its mostlikely because Popular response. Most of the news anchors in the "white boys" club mentioned are really good with the news. If you dont like the national news tune in to a local channel. you'll see plenty of racial integration. If any of these people get to be national news quality they will make it. If any of this seems silly its just because im expressing the bile that comes up every time some one expresses opinions that are racially based. I dont watch sports so i missed the imus statment. unfortunately i happend to wake early on sunday and catch your "opinion". I looked at your past opinions, they seem to have a similar trend. Whos got racial issues?

[evil_barbie]

People need to refrain from blaming hiphop for what has recently happened. You can not just sit around and blame it without blaming "white" people's music for the rest of the nonsense going on in this world such as suicides, school shootings,ect. Rap artists do not live 98% of the lives that they talk about in their songs, it is all entertainment. Everyone is at fault for this. If there is anyone to blame it is "America" itself and not just hiphop.

[pared1]

Could You Call Oprah A Nappy-Headed Ho?


ummm you mean she isn't?