Could You Call Oprah A Nappy-Headed Ho?

(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.

[pared1]

Could You Call Oprah A Nappy-Headed Ho?


ummm you mean she isn't?

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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).

[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.

[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

[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?

[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.