This article is part of a series in celebration of a new, dynamic voice in Black America: the NUBIANO Exchange. Brace yourself for the NUBIANO experience. 

by E Scott

It seems like the number of radio "journalists" spewing inappropriate comments increases every year. 

Recently, there's been a significant amount of coverage about Don Imus' racist and sexist comments towards the Rutgers women's basketball team, in which he called them "nappy-headed hoes," "jiggaboos" and "wannabes." Although Imus eventually offered an apology, the National Association of Black Journalists is calling for Imus' firing.

While I don't think anything Imus has said is remotely appropriate, I'm not surprised. I've come to accept that it's only a matter of time before other shock jocks say something equally insensitive. 

Our elders could probably talk for days about how blacks have been treated in the media in the past and probably aren't that shocked by Imus' recent comments. Honestly, I'm not that baffled that media personalities still think this type of behavior is acceptable in 2007 either. But I am embarrassed – embarrassed that many blacks (not necessarily the Rutgers women's basketball team) have presented images of themselves that makes Imus and his peers think these types of comments are acceptable. 

To be certain, Imus should be held accountable for his off-the-cuff remarks. But what about our hip hop artists that use the same language … and dare I say it, the "hoes" that cash in by writing tell-all "hoe-mance" novels or continuously star in neo-coonery spin-offs of equally degrading reality shows? 

Sure, I've heard the arguments about white men controlling the media and that they only tend to feature blacks catering to stereotypes, but they can only cast folks who audition and play music that has been recorded. And I'm not talking about TV and radio anyway. I'm talking about your regular, around-the-way "living." When does one become responsible – even partially – for his or her own oppression? Without a doubt, no one ever "deserves" to be discriminated against and, to be certain, racism is always the fault of the racist. But when are blacks going to get mad about the number of blacks actually disrespecting themselves instead of being upset that some one else called some of us out?

I am admittedly an urban pop culture fanatic. I take in more nonsense than anyone should. With that being said, I acknowledge that I am at least partially responsible for providing these racist individuals with ammunition every time I take in media that encourages this type of behavior. It's not right, but it's real. And I'm honest enough to admit that. But the next time – and there will be a next time – someone disrespects "us," before I get upset, maybe I should ask, "what made them think it was okay to call us that?"


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