That was quick! Don Imus apologizes
This was posted by Richard Prince on his Journal-isms column at MaynardIJE.org
Imus Apologizes for “Ho’s” Comment
April 6, 2007
Radio, TV Host Derided Blacks on Rutgers Team
Don Imus, the radio and television host who for years has withstood criticism for offensive comments made on his show, apologized on Friday for describing student athletes of Rutgers University’s women’s basketball team as “nappy- headed ho’s.â€
Simultaneously, the National Association of Black Journalists was calling for Imus’ firing, saying “all journalists of all colors” should boycott his program until he apologizes for his latest outrage. NABJ prepared the statement before it knew of Imus’ apology.
PBS
Don Imus once referred to Gwen Ifill as a “cleaning lady.”
On Friday’s “Imus in the Morning,” which originates at WFAN in New York, Imus said: “Want to take a moment to apologize for an insensitive and ill-conceived remark we made the other morning regarding the Rutgers women’s basketball team.
“It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended. Our characterization was thoughtless and stupid, and we are sorry.”
MSNBC distanced itself from the comments.
“While simulcast by MSNBC, ‘Imus in the Morning’ is not a production of the cable network and is produced by WFAN Radio. As Imus makes clear every day, his views are not those of MSNBC. We regret that his remarks were aired on MSNBC and apologize for these offensive comments,” spokesman Jeremy Gaines said.
Imus uttered his epithet on his April 4 show after the program’s executive producer, Bernard McGuirk, called the team “hard-core hos.”
Here is what my good friend, Roy Johnson, had to say on his blog, Ballers, Gamers and Scoundrels:
Imus to Rutgers: You “nappy-headed hosâ€
Don Imus is an idiot. Woo-hoo, that’s funny!
Don Imus is a wrinkled-faced racist. Haaaaaa, stop it! Too funny!
Don Imus is a drunk. Waaaaaaaaaaaa…!!! Help me! Help me! You too funny, Roy.
Much of America loves his mean-edged, sophomoric brand of so-called humor, which is why politicians, journalists and anyone with something to pitch falls over themselves to get on his syndicated radio show, ‘Imus in the Morning.†I am not among them.
At times his act can be fulfilling – usually when smart people are discussing important issues. On those occasions, it can even be illuminating. But when the tone turns and Imus and his equally insipid crew try to get funny, well, it just ain’t funny. Especially when Imus lets his racist side run amuk and picks on people who have little to do with him and who are powerless to defend themselves.
