A Muzzle for Imus

Two weeks. Two weeks off is what Don Imus gets for his insensitive, racially charged, moronic, uneducated remarks against the Rutgers women's basketball team. Personally, I think the man should be fired, but that is another story.

Shame on you Imus. Shame on you for looking at this world from a point of view that is not only not human, but purely uneducated and moronic at the same time. Picking on the Rutgers women's basketball team?? Give me a break. These are women who define the term "student-athlete". These are individuals who are busting their tails not only on the basketball court, but in the classroom as well. Rutgers is one of the best academic institutions in the country, one with a storied history of turning out some of this country's best scholars and human beings. You have to degrade them by calling them "Nappy headed ho's"?????? Bear in mind that female student athletes have a significantly higher rate of graduation than their male counterparts. Again, you missed that bit of information in your "research" before you went on the air.

How little do you know about humanity as a whole? The last time I checked, regardless of race, color, or creed, we all bleed the same color. We are human beings who should not be set apart by race; we should be set apart by our kindness towards others, by our contributions to society, and by seemingly little things like our intelligence and kindness. Instead, you broke things down to what mankind has done since the beginning of time, and that is judge others by their sex, or color of their skin. Shame on you Imus.

Why don't you have the class of the Rutgers basketball team? In a press conference, the team spoke of how hurt they are, how you have attempted to diminish the fact they made the National Championship for the first time in school history. Coach Stringer was correct in saying, "Before you are valedictorians of their class, future doctors, musical prodigies, and yes, even Girl Scouts," she said. "They are young ladies of class, distinction, they are articulate, they are brilliant, they are gifted." Oh yeah, they have agreed to meet with you to help create an understanding as to why you said what you did. They are better people than I am; I would have laughed in your sorry face.

Why in the world does it matter what color their skin is? Again, the last time I checked, we are all human beings and deserve equal respect. For some reason, you decided they do not deserve the respect you feel is a right, and not a privilege. You demand that respect, why don't you show some yourself?

This was not a slip of the tongue for you Imus. Somewhere, somehow, you developed these views on those who are not white. Where did they come from? While you are sitting on your ranch, will you actually explore why you said these things? I doubt it, you don't seem to think.

Bear in mind, this was not just racist, but sexist as well. Would you have made the same type of comment about a male? Women, as well as minorities, have had to fight for every bit of respect they deserve in this society of ours. Women are still systematically, and in many cases institutionally discriminated against. Thanks to you, we have taken yet another step back in the fight for equality among women and minorities.

A two week suspension is nothing to you. Imus, you will continue to stick your foot in your mouth in the name of ratings and it just doesn't seem to matter the hurt you have inflicted on others. These are individuals you wouldn't know if you tripped over them. Two weeks isn't enough. I think you should be fired.

Your "apology" was a joke. The only reason you bothered to apologize is because you were called on what you said. If no one had said anything, you would have continued on your hate filled rants on blacks, hispanics, women, and anyone who is not male and white. Do you really think what you said was wrong, or are you just covering your tail?

Instead of celebrating a tremendous accomplishment, the Rutgers basketball team has to deal with you and what you said. Are you happy now? I know that the Rutgers basketball team isn't happy.