Don Imus calls Rutgers Women’s Basketball Team “nappy headed hoes”
Categories: African-American, Media, Sports
Written By: Shawn Williams
IMUS: That’s some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos and—
McGUIRK: Some hard-core hos.
IMUS: That’s some nappy-headed hos there. I’m gonna tell you that now, man, that’s some—woo. And the girls from Tennessee, they all look cute, you know, so, like—kinda like—I don’t know.
McGUIRK: A Spike Lee thing.
IMUS: Yeah.
McGUIRK: The Jigaboos vs. the Wannabes—that movie that he had.
The National Association of Black Journalists is calling for the immediate firing of Don Imus, host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Imus in the Morning" which also airs on MSNBC. Imus made the above remarks on his April 4 show in reference to the Rutgers Women's Basketball team who finished their season on Tuesday as National Runners-Up.
According to their website, NABJ is also calling for the removal of 'Imus' producer Bernard McGuirk. "What he (Imus) said has deeply hurt too many people — black and white, male and female," said Bryan Monroe, NABJ president. "His so-called apology comes two days after the fact, and it is too little, too late."
Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer came out with the following statement regarding the slurs:
I am deeply saddened and angered by Mr. Imus' statements regarding the members of the Rutgers women's basketball team. These talented, articulate young women put forth a great deal of hard work and effort this past season to reach the nation's grandest stage — the NCAA title game.
Throughout the year, these gifted young ladies set an example for the nation that through hard work and perseverance, you can accomplish anything if you believe. Without a doubt, this past season was my most rewarding in 36 years of coaching. This young team fought through immeasurable odds to reach the highest pinnacle and play for the school's first national championship in a major sport.
To serve as a joke of Mr. Imus in such an insensitive manner creates a wedge and makes light of the efforts of these classy individuals, both as women and as women of color. It is unfortunate Mr. Imus sought to tarnish Rutgers' spirit and success. Should we not, as adults, send a message of encouragement to young people to aspire to the highest levels as my team did this season?"
You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried. On the night when I was already pissed at Comedy Central for referring to the black female on their series Halfway Home as a "fat whore" and a "bitch," here goes this dude. If we don't wake up see what time it is, it's nobody's fault but our own. As far as I'm concerned, all "straight-shooters" like Imus have a little bit of this in them. They get to talking, and it feels so good to them and then whoops….they let their true feelings slip out.
We cannot allow this. Not just by Imus, but by anyone. It's time for everybody to stop referring to black women as bitches and hoes. We're not men, brothers, if we allow this to continue without saying anything about it. If these are things people say in public, what must they being saying in private?
The young ladies of the Rutgers women's basketball team had great a run with a young team, and they should get back to the Final Four next year. This could serve as motivation for them, but what about us? What will we do to show these talented young women that we won't stand by while they are disrespected? For starters, Imus and McGuirk have to go. Now!
April 7th, 2007 at 10:43 am
I agree totally. When I heard about this, it brought tears to my eyes. Why? Because it seems no matter what we as a people do in this society, it is never good enough. We are on the bottom of every list that is something positive and at the top of every list that is something negative. But I am convinced that until we begin to care about ourselves as a race, no one else is even going to consider caring about us. The hip hop world should be awakened by this recent remark form Imus and should be ashamed to the point that they will no longer continue degrading the black woman and themselves in order for the white men in the corporate world to make money off of them. They must know that if they were saying something positive, they would not even have a record deal. The music industry is saying, go ahead and degrade your own, it keeps us from having to do it. We really do not realize the power we have if we would come together and not be divided. We as a people have no vision, only division.
By the way, I saw your pastor on the CNN special and he was awesome! By far the clearest example of what JESUS would do, probably because he himself is doing what JESUS would be doing.
April 9th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Al Sharpton has become a demagogue.
Sure what Don Imus was not only wrong, but it was disgusting. But you of all people don’t have any right to demand his being Fired! You are the biggest and most vicious liar and a dangerous bigot.of all time. . And when it comes to race-baiter’s these’s no one else that is even in your league. It’s okay for YOU to say these dirty and vile things but not others. Well how does it feel? You and your buddy black mailer,. that other race baiter Jesse Jackson have always been total frauds
So what’s the deal here Sharpton? You have gone all over town saying things like that for years. I still remember when you went to a Korean shop owner in Harlem and formed a picket line there and not only that, but you prevented thair customers from going into his shop. Why? Because an none Black dared to open a business in a Black neighborhood.
Then there was the time you called a Jewish shopkeeper a “white interloper ….Is Harlem of limits to non Blacks? Or is it only for you to pick and choose what is right to say and what is wrong.
April 9th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Perhaps Don Imus is redeemable. As an African American male and a part-time listener of the show, I am not surprised that Don said what he said. Will I continue to listen? I don’t know. Personally, I am tired of feeling hurt by the comments of people who could care less about my experience as black man in this country – the “disconnect†is real. But, let’s be honest, white people have said, much more hurtful, hateful things and meant it.
What Don Imus said was wrong, but black people should show as much outrage about how we treat each other. Too many black people believe that it’s cool to put one another down in music videos (Not just “hoesâ€, but b…s too). Sadly, we continue to kill one another in our own communities.
Yes, let’s hold his feet to the fire, but we must stop demeaning each other – making it more meaningful when we complain about something some white person said.
April 9th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
I’m sorry but is the first amendment no longer in effect. I am so sick and tired of people being persecuted for the things they SAY!!! The ACLU stands for the rights of people in this country, the rights afforded by the bill of rights in our constitution. The document we all love to reference when it suits us, and the one we love to trash because our feelings are hurt. Oh this is offensive, that is offensive, my feelings are hurt say your sorry. The freedom of speech means the freedom of any type of speech. You do not have to like it or agree with it, but you do have to allow it to occur. You have the right to disagree. You must endure the right of ignorant bigots to state what they feel as you have the right to state how you feel, but you do not have the right to censor ANYONE for ANY remark. The crying, whining babies of this country who spend their time with their focus on how someone else hurt their feelings should grow up and learn, not everyone agrees with you, not all people are polite or nice and yes, bigots have the right to say hate speech, it is afforded them in the constitution. Remember, everyone at some time is a bigot and racist, and most of us need to get a sense of humor. Call me a mick, guinney drunken wh-re if you like, say a joke about priests and rabbis if you wish, I will laugh and enjoy the humor in the quirks of my heritage and religion, but something I will not allow is for anyone to trash my rights as an AMERICAN and we are just that all AMERICANS abiding by one rule our constitution. Now deal with it and get on with your lives!!!!
April 9th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
There is no doubt that the first amendment is in effect and he has the right to say what he wants. But as a community, we have to take a cue from our Jewish brethren and learn that none of these comments sit on an island. I respect his right to say what he said, but the first amendment (believe it or not)comes with responsibility. And you have to be ready for those consequences if you do not use that gift responsibly.
If Don Imus had slurred a group of Jewish women in that manor, there would have been Jewish men and women defending his right to say what he said. But he would already be off the air, I have no doubt about that. We have to take a stand against Imus, and against anyone who slurs our people including our own. Even BET eventually took BET UnCut off the air (CBS/Viacom), but only after someone made them take notice.
April 10th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I always find it humorous/frustrating that nothing is ever done about the Hip-hop culture until a white person repeats it. At that point the white person is labeled a racist and people from all corners start screaming. It’s the same script everytime.
I really wonder if Mr. Williams has ever written a blog entry about Jay-Z/Kanye West/ labeling women as bitches and ho’s or if this type of “outrage” is only reserved for white people. (psssst. I bet I know the answer)
But, hey, if this is what it takes to get that Imus moron off my radio dial, I’m almost willing to backup this farce.
April 10th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
One could draw the conclusion that depending on the amount of pigment in your skin, these remarks are either degrading talk radio or popular rap lyrics. Gosh…try Nappy Roots - Ho Down. Those lyrics make the front page of the Washington Post?
April 12th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
No comment on Imus - I just read the transcript, and he’s got no excuses.
Sharpton, on the other hand - do black people really want representing their views a guy that first got his attention in the Tawanna Brawley hoax?
April 12th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
And be sure to bring up the white lacrosse players at Duke who were slandered by a black stripper but who were cleared of all charges this week. I would rather hear about that!
April 13th, 2007 at 2:15 am
Guess CBS no longer believes in freedom of speech.
Guess Rutgers does not believe either.
Frightening to know I am alive during a time where we all as humans will be forced to never speak at all.
Imus has been doing this for years. Best press CBS has gotten in years and years. And they fire him? I pay a pretty penny for my cable, and yes, I have been annoyed that my week has been all about Imus and Rutgers’ need for press and respect regarding women’s basketball.
There are so many bigger issues out there…more important issues. My sister just died of cancer, family and friends dead from the war in Iraq, homeless friends in New Orleans…the list goes on and on. I was always grateful for the humor of Imus, he’s hit every culture and nationality. Humor keeps us all from taking ourselves too seriously. If someone wants to call me a ho, who cares, I don’t, whether I am one or not. And there is not one friend or acquaintance of mine…caucasian, african american, asian, hispanic, etc. that has not had nappy hair at some point.
We’re all human.
Spend some time researching Rush L., Glenn Beck (Obama is not black enough), Michael Savage, Sean Hannity, Michael Medved and William Bennett (abort all black babies, the crime rate will drop).
Find true racism and fight it. Not humor that provides a press opportunity and is now a threat to our freedoms. Haven’t enough of them been taken away already?