Guess whose back in the …. house?!
The National Association of Black Journalists is encouraging Citadel Broadcasting chief executive Farid Suleman and Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes to stop negotiating the return of former radio personality Don Imus to radio and television.
Imus is supposedly in informal talks with Ailes and is finalizing his contract with Citadel Broadcasting.
As you all know, Imus was fired last April after calling members of the Rutgers women’s basketball team ‘nappy-headed ho’s.’ That incident arguably launched the most recent wave of attacks on hip-hop, “black culture” and unfortunately to a much, much lesser extent, racism and white privilege.
“To put him back on the air now makes light of his serious and offensive racial remarks that are still ringing in the ears of people all over this country,” said Barbara Ciara, NABJ president.
“It seems inconceivable that less than a year after Imus was dismissed from CBS Radio and MSNBC for his vicious insults upon the Rutgers women’s basketball team, that Citadel Broadcasting and Fox News would consider putting him back on the air,” said Ernie Suggs, NABJ’s Vice President of Print.
Citadel Broadcasting owns 243 radio stations including ABC Radio Networks, and powerhouse radio station WABC in New York.
Your thoughts?
Check out Eugene’s guest contributions at Intelligent Ignorance.
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Comment by Jarrod Jenkins on 9 October 2007:
I don’t really see a point of bringing him back after firing him less than a year ago. If you are going to take a stand, then take a stand.
I will say that in addition to Don Imus’ remarks, Blacks should be more cognizant of using similar language ourselves. It’s a double standard to chastize Imus, but let Isaiah Thomas think it’s okay for Black men to call Black women hoes.
Comment by shrugs on 9 October 2007:
They might as well let him back on. They let black people stay on who’ve disrespected black women.
Comment by DNLee on 9 October 2007:
I’m not surprised. To be honest, I didn’t think his comment about the Rutgers team warranted being fired. I’m not excusing him or making light of the comment. But firing him because you don’t like what he sadi/says is censorship.
Encouraging others to stop listening him and stop buying products/services that endorse his show - Appropriate. Calling for his removal - inappropriate. I think the rally to fire him was a distraction. Efforts should have been put into a real dialogue about acceptable comments, speach, even hip-hop lyrics. I would have preferred ‘our leaders’ e.g. the Al Sharptons and Jesse Jacksons advocate for boycotting or have a discourse about how people should respond to inappropriate comments.
I excersize my right to turn the station.
Long Live NPR!!
Comment by GIB on 10 October 2007:
Yes he was vile and inappropriate, that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be able to do what he loves or earn a living anymore. To say so would mean he is not able or allowed to be remorseful or to change. If I got fired for all the bad stuff I’ve done or said I’d never be able to get a job again.
Comment by ETS on 10 October 2007:
“If I got fired for all the bad stuff I’ve done or said I’d never be able to get a job again.”
CO-SIGN!!!
But still unsure about how I feel about his return ….
Comment by Justin L. on 12 October 2007:
I like many of the comments here. Let’s remember this story caught fire because of a slow news week. This story happens a week later - the VA Tech shooting incident - this story likely flies under the radar.
I understand the comments were insensitive. I understand they were unnecessary. The man is entitled to his opinion. If he wants to say those things, fine - most people won’t support that. The public will be the judge of his fate.
I think that NABJ has likely made its point by now. Why waste more time, energy, and resources for some fool? Use those tools for something positive and worthy.
What if the black community simply acknowledged his comments, condemned them and moved on? Wouldn’t that have been interesting? To say Don Imus, everyone knows you’re wrong and to prove it, we’re not going to show you the time of day.
Instead people went ballistic, made a huge deal over someone’s comments, just to remind the country that racial strife is prevalent. Great, more fuel to the fire and a step back for progress.
I think there are times when we need to stand up and say something. Surely, we won’t back down. I think there are times when, like mama said, you be the bigger person and turn away.