Don Imus…what’s next?

Agreed. I watched Gregory on Hardball today and the gentleman definitely looked conflicted, if not outright embarrassed. He was uncharacteristically pensive, and I'm sure he fears he'll be judged by association.

I hope when the Imus thing blows over that leaders such as yourself remember to finish the job this time. Let's clean up gratuitous lyrics in music -- not just rap, but pop music, too. The reckless era of Britney Spears and her own form of self-misogyny shared by her tart pop contemporaries needs to end ...

... but I hope we're careful to draw a distinction between edgy art that has socially redeeming value, and reckless speech that serves no value other than titillation value and earning dollars. We have to be careful to pick our targets carefully, and not get carried away in a broad brush of censorship. But don't let people who need to be called out use the fallacy of absolute free speech as a defense either. Strike a responsible, informed balance.

Anyway Roland, thanks for letting me share my two cents worth, you're bringing a fresh perspective to CNN. Keep it up.

-- Chris in Los Angeles

Every Black hip-hop radio station in America plays songs all day long with lyrics a milion times more demeaning and damaging to Black women than anything Imus said. Why do so-called Black leaders like Jackson and Sharpton focus on a pimple like Imus, instead of devoting 99.99% of their attention to the cancer of gangsta rap culture devouring our Black body politic from the inside out? The priorities of our "leaders" are twisted, distorted and grotesque.

Mr. Shoreke needs to stop pointing fingers and take a look at his own actions to denounce and repudiate negative images and commentary about black women. "Think globally, act locally." If he was really in touch with the ONGOING efforts of Sharpton and Jackson, he would find that they DO and will continue to stay active fighting against this ignorant behavior by some rappers. Who in their right mind would believe that the majority press would provide coverage of Black leaders trying to make positive change within the Black community? Just because it isn't on national t.v. or radio doesn't mean Sharpton and Jackson are sitting idly by...Regardless, why do people continually attack leaders versus stepping up and taking personal responsibility? How many men and boys has Mr. Shoreke counseled, admonished, encouraged, etc. to stop purchasing and listening to this destructive music? Hold up a mirror, please!

Thank you Mr. Martin for your inspirational work! I enjoy following your projects. Kudos!

Ms. Stroman, I do agree with you that Sharpton and Jackson have spoken out against gangsta rap, but nowhere near with the same zeal they used to attack Imus.

Shoreke is right. Rev Al and Jackson are hypocrites to the highest degree.

Sharpton said he would picket CBS until Imus is fired. Where's the picket line in front of the record companies? Where's the picket line in front of the radio stations? Where's the picket line in front of BET?

R. Kelly urinated on an underaged girl on tape!! He's still on the radio - all day, every day.

The hypocrisy sickens me.

Lmao.. great point Patrick.. R. kelly can piss on a underage girl and its ok... he is still doin his job and getting his laughs.. hahaha.. How about all the mock skits on SNL and Mad tv and other places of Michael Jackson molesting kids and Mike Tyson raping a young black girl and do you see the whole black race up in arms about it.. nope.. tell ya what they do feel tho. they laugh.. just like whites, mexicans, and asians. It really shows little common sence in the world doesnt it.. Sharpton and Jackson show just how un-intellegent they are in all this. As well as who has the racist thoughts .. to me anyways...These are the people others wish to follow?.. Hello.. thats why racism will never die. Keepin it really real!!!

When has Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton ever condemned the NAACP for giving Image Awards to gangsta rappers who defecate on Black culture? When Al Sharpton calls for a boycott of BET for feeding the Black community a steady diet of vulgar videos that depict our women as sluts...that is when I'll say he has credibility as a "leader" of the Black community. Taking responsibility is the job description of leadership.

The next strategic meeting will be with the major urban stations who play sexist lyrics and BET and other nationally viewed stations that feed off of gansta rap and videos. They made good money when it was a underground martket and thats where they are going to have to return when the focus of this latest Imus piece puts the eys on those entitieis that play Black on Black criminal music and videos.

R. Kelly knew how to choose his victims - young Black girls.

Do you honestly think that if one of his victims had been blonde, he'd still be walking around?

Please. Not in this lifetime.

I am perfectly willing to join with anyone going after the Modern Day Minstrel Show AND their RECORD LABEL BOSSES...all the way up the ladder.

rikyrah Says:

April 13th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
R. Kelly knew how to choose his victims - young Black girls.

Do you honestly think that if one of his victims had been blonde, he’d still be walking around?

Please. Not in this lifetime.

I am perfectly willing to join with anyone going after the Modern Day Minstrel Show AND their RECORD LABEL BOSSES…all the way up the ladder.

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I have no doubt whatsoever if R. Kelly had chose a young white blond girl that he "WOULD" still be walking around because white / caucasion race doesnt get so uptite nor do they pretend to act terribly hurt.. I will tell ya what would happen if it had been a white girl.. We all would have watched and laughed the same..See.. white people just dont get offended and I must say from reading all these blogs.. There is alot of black people that doesnt either. but.. There is a huge amount out there that still rely on chances like this to exercise the " Hey. thats racist" attitude. Anyone that think color was an issue at all with Don Imus, is color blind, as making a joke does not make a person a racist / sexist person. If you was hurt by Don Imus's comments then You must be pampered big time as well as have no concept of hardship or real problems in this world.. People die everyday fighting for your freedom, Kids starving and dieing, Death, Destruction, and terrorism and you have to concentrate on Don Imus is a racist / sexist?.. Life is alot worse then what "3" words he said.. Alot worse.. Stop whining because your a woman or your black or you was once an oppressed race of people.. get over it and allow freedom of speach and you wont take things personal.. If you watch any kind of comedy anytime at all.. then im sure you have heard alot worse.. admit it.. this was a stampeed from the get go.. and Sharpton and jackson once again start up the band.. Sharpton needs to make some I'm sorrys himself.. he can start at duke university....Keepin it really real

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