If the so-called Imus controversy taught us anything, it's that we Americans have way too much time on our hands — that, and we love a good brawl. Give us a few ill-chosen words on an early Friday morning, and we're pretty much set for at least a weekend of drunken punditry. In the Imus case, though, we just can't seem to shake the hangover.
It's a hot button issue that has about as much meaning in the scheme of things as Avril Lavigne getting married. Yet, we're fascinated by it, outraged by it, devastated by it and in a state of denial by it. Here's why: it forced us to look at ourselves.
And we didn't like what we saw.
While most of us nursed our wounds after the initial brawl, bullies from all corners smelled blood. And bullies being what they are, they made alliances. It's the way bullies work — it's how gangs are formed. It doesn't matter about your personal ethics; all that matters is a common foe. Once that's in place, you become invincible. And once that happens, there's no stopping you. Your foot soldiers will do the rest, and you can sit back and reap the spoils.
That's what's happened here — and what better time than an election year? Hillary Clinton was outraged, so Condoleezza Rice had to be indignant also. Black conservatives with political aspirations suddenly spoke of a need for civility, and white liberals had to jump on that bandwagon too. Snoop Dogg even weighed in, saying that when rappers say it, they're just reflecting a community that whites can't understand. It's all a matter of proper context, after all.
Here's the thing: we Americans have no short term memory. We buy whatever message is sold to us, so long as it's served up in a cool sound bite or on an iPod. We forget the message of Martin Luther King or Robert Kennedy or even Barry Goldwater, and we purposely divide ourselves according to race or ethnicity. This is 2007, and we've run out of ideas. Rather than forge ahead, we want to retreat to the idealized version of the 1950s, where nobody ever said a cross word, and blacks and whites lived happily in their segregated neighborhoods.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Spot on Ray.
It's really amazing how when you go to either end of the two political extremes who make the most noise about issues like this --especially in an election, or even a pre-election season -- how much you find that the two extremes actually have in common. What it boils down to is that both groups want to regulate what you or I are allowed to read, watch, listen to, and just lately even say. And if you look a little further underneath the surface, you will more often than not find that it's the unspoken "secret" agendas that are the actual motivating factor.
But think about it, how different is the regulation of thought in the name of so-called "political correctness" than the some of the more extreme restrictions that the religious theocracists would impose upon us in the name of family values, Christian morality and the like?
It's basically two sides of the same coin if you ask me, and if either group were ever to yield absolute power it would be the end of free speech as we know it.
Thank God we still have a system of checks and balances in this country. The lesson here is that this luxury is one afforded us only as long as we continue to remain vigilant.
As my mama used to say, if you don't like what some people have to say, best to just walk away or ignore it.
Best story on the whole Imus deal I've seen here on BC yet Ray. You hit the nail on the head.
-Glen
2 - Dave Nalle
It's not just speech, Glen. The two extremes have other things in common as well. They're the ones who believe in conspiracy theories - often the same theories about the same conspiracies. They're also generally the ones who dislike Jews and/or corporations. On the left they hate corporations because they're capitalist. On the right they hate them because they are multinational/globalist. The two extremes also both hate immigration. On the right because they're nativist security freaks and on the left because they're delusional about protecting American jobs. Both groups also seem to be afraid of technology, though it's different types of technology they fear.
What they most share in common is mystical thinking. They're driven by blind faith rather than reason, be it faith in god or in marxism or in unions or in creationism or in the demagogues they flock to like Lou Dobbs.
Dave
3 - Glen Boyd
Well said Dave, but then I always knew you that were a very smart man. Just don't let it go to your head okay?
-Glen
4 - Dave Nalle
We're all a happy band of geniuses when we agree.
Dave
5 - G. Oren
Having recently re-read "Atlas Shrugged" for the first time since my undergraduate days (ca.1982) I see the Randian argument Dave puts forth about the mystical thinking of the theocrats on the right and Jacobins of the left. I believe Miss Rand referred to it as the mysticism of the mind and the mysticism of muscle. At any rate, the burgeoning proliferation of 24 hour cable news services has created a vacuum of air time that must be filled by something. That something tends toward the lowest common denominator of public discourse - the ad hominem attack - and the demonization of the "opposition". I referred to this in the Duke thread as the "sentimentality" of the left and the right - both functioning without appeal to objective facts or logic.
As I stated in a previous Imus thread, Imus and his crew were mildly entertaining. Entertaining in the same way that irreverent comedians are entertaining by poking fun at the powers that be with sardonic and sometimes snide social commentary - the emperor has no clothes etc... Was any of it worth listening to and were very many people listening - probably not on both counts. In the end we'd probably all be better off to turn off the talking heads of all political stripes and spend a little time reading and thinking about something useful.
6 - Ray Ellis
All valid points, and I thank you for your input. It's rare to see discourse based on logic in these pages.
7 - daryl d
One of the best articles on the Imus affair I've seen. I think the extreme right and extreme left are equal dangers to this country,
8 - ZZ Bachman
Well said Dave... "Welcome to the Magical Mystery Tour"
Mystical magical thinking just about sums it up nicely.
P.S. Loofa post#8 -- spammer?
To: Site Admin: edit stage left #8
9 - Ray Ellis
Thanks, Daryl. I agree to a point--it's not a question of extreme left or extreme right. There are a lot of opportunists out there, all looking for a bandwagon where they can hitch a ride. I'm not seeing much sincerity here from either "side."
Terms like "context" and "culture" are being bandied about without a single piece of logic to back it up. It's as if there's an entirely new breed of segregationism afoot in this country.
10 - GLENN BRANDON
I HOPE YOU NEVER MAKE A MIS-STATEMENT. YOU COULD BE NEXT. YOU DON'T KNOW THE REAL FACTS IN THIS SITUATION AND THE UNFAIR PRESSURE PUT ON THE MANAGMENT OF MSNBC FOR POLITICAL/RACIAL CAUSES. . . IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAY MANY AMERICANS ARE NOT A STUDENTS OF OUR CONSTITUTION, NOR EVER WATCHED IMUS. NOR DO YOU HAVE THE FACTS ON THE OUTSTANDING GOOD IMUS DOES FOR SICK KIDS BLACK AND WHITE. AN EXAMPLE IS SUPPORT FOR SIDS RESEARCH. ARE YOU AGAINST KIDS WITH CANCER OR THE PARENTS THAT LOST A CHILD TO SIDS?PEOPLE NEED TO GET THE FACTS.TO THOSE THAT WANTED IMUD FIRED, TELL ME HOW MANY TIMES YOU SAW THE SHOW. DON IMUS WAS HIRED AND PAID WELL TO DO WHAT HE DID. HE MADE THE RADIO AND TV STATIONS A LOT OF MONEY. DON'T YOU THINK THE OWNERS, CEO, CFO AND BOARD MEMBERS KNEW WHAT THE SHOW WAS ALL ABOUT? MY BET IS THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT AND WHO WAS ON THE SHOW..HE SAID THINGS FOR SHOCK VALUE. NOTE THE TERM SHOCK JOCK. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS HAVE YOU EVER SAID OR DONE SOMETHING YOU RIGHT THEN WISH YOU HAD NOT SAID? WE DO HAVE FREE SPEECH IN THIS COUNTRY AND THAT RIGHT IS BEING ABUSED BY THE RAP INDUSTRY EVERY DAY. OUR CHILDREN ARE EXPOSED TO WORDS THAT SHOCK US ALL MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT IMUS SAID. RAP LYRICS ARE SAID IN HATE TO BRAINWASH OUR CHILDREN AND TO PROMOTE SEX AND VIOLENCE TO CHILDREN. IMUS IS A GROWN UP ACT. KIDS DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND FAMOUS AUTHORS OR CEOS OF FORTUNE 500 COMPANIES. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IMUS HAD SIGNIFICANT CREDIBILITY AMONG THE MOST INFLUENCIAL AND SUCESSFUL INDIVIDUALS. DON IMUS IS NOT A RACEST. IF HE OFFENDS, HE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFENDER. ONCE AGAIN, HE WAS PAID TO GIVE THE LISTENERS WHAT THEY WANTED AND HE DELIVERED. MY LAST WORD IS THAT IMUS HAD THE BIGGEST HEART AND THOSE THAT KNEW HIM UNDERSTOOD THE SHOW, THE MAN, AND HIS HEART. MSNBC, I AM SORRY BUT YOU ARE WRONG ON THIS ISSUE. WARMEST REGARDS, GLENN E. BRANDON JR,J.D
11 - Ray Ellis
Quite the little rant you have there, Mr. Brandon, J.D. It might have had a bit more weight had you actually read my article. I realize you're working on a law degree, but shouting doesn't lend any credence to your words. Had you actually taken the time to absorb what I wrote, you'd know I never once indicted Imus. Nor did I indict the hip-hop community. If I indicted anyone, it was people like you, jumping on a soapbox for a moment of hot air.
Thanks for illustrating my point.
12 - Glenn Brandon
Dear Ray,
First of all, sorry for emailing in all caps. Do not take this as all shouting, please; but merely, my personal typing shortcomings. Secondly, I have been upset over how the Imus situation has been handled and I respect your position and your right to it. I feel most of us in mainstream America regardless of race or political background can find common ground and settle our disputes. I by no means am a racist, nor do I support racism on either side. Yes, I will admit I was on a bit of a rant because I feel strongly about this story. Additionally, I am confident that of all people Don Imus is not a racist. It might be better if alot of us would agree to disagree and focus our efforts on getting words like ho, bitch and other language away from our children's ears. Rap music and bad language is not a racial issue. I don't remember hearing any of this language in Sam Cooke or Ray Charles or even hard core blues men like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson or Sonhouse. This language problem exists because someone moved the bar. We need to put it back. Thank you for your comment. PS--I'm long past working on law school. Glenn Brandon
13 - glennn brandon
Has anyone considered what cause of action we have as the Imus fans that had the morning show taken away from us? As a rule ths size of the audience is the controling force about a show and its success. I feel we have been damaged as a class. I have read many posts which discussed the loss of our morning enjoyment and personal entertainment. This loss has caused many of us anger,sadness,and our routines to be altered. A highlite of our day was taken away by hateful, selfish, mean people which could care less about our feelings as a group. I feel damaged!!!
14 - SAM HAYWOOD
AFTER WHAT THE Rev Sharpton said..CBS YOU PEOPLE ARE JUST FOOLS OR SHARPTON HAS SOME PHOTO OF SOME ONE... HE HAS NOW LOST YOUR CASE FOR YOU AND MADE YOU LOOK LIKE HIS BITCH [TO QUOTE Sharptons HIP HOP music]ABANDON SHIP I THINK SOME OF YOU WILL PAY ON A PERSONAL BASIS,,,YOU SHOULD!
15 - sam haywood
What has been done is just a shame.The last several weeks I have not had one person say that Imus should have been fired.CBS has set race relations back 20 years in my mind.The pressure to re-hire Imus must be at a very stressful level for managment.Admit you mistake save millions and your job,stick to whats been done get black balled in the business for life and spend the rest of your life in court.
The critical comments that I have read about Don Imus seem to be written by people that did not watch or listen to his show. I too miss the witty and intelligent watch dog. I do believe that actions speak louder than words and that Don Imus is not a racist. In my eyes Mr. and Mrs. Imus deserve super hero status for the selfless changes they
have made in this world. He did not deserve to be fired. The crime did not fit the punishment. The big loss is to the people that benefited from his help. We need more watch dogs with heart and Imus was the best.
It is a shame that anti-Semitic comments made by self serving, self appointed Africa American leaders do not evoke the same media coverage or for that matter apologies.
I hope that CBS and MSNBC reconsider their actions.
SAM HAYWOOD
16 - glenn e brandon jr
based on what i am hearing i bet some large company is about to offer don imus a multi million deal to go on the air [the numbers do work i might add]plus he will get a settlement from all of the people that did him the way they did.if it happens your heard it here first.glenn e brandon jr birmingham alabama
17 - glenn e brandon jr
[Glenn E BRANDON] Un like ROSIE DON IMUS WILL BE BACK SOON AND THIS WHOLE THING WILL BE JUST A THING OF THE PAST IMUS WILL BE $120,000,000.00 RICHER CBS WILL FIRE ALL OF ITS UPPER MANAGMENT AS A SACRIFICIAL LAMB.[GLENN E BRANDON] THE HANDWRITING IS ON THE WAS.I have been upset over how the Imus situation has been handled I feel most of us in mainstream America regardless of race or political background can find common ground and settle our disputes. I by no means am a racist, nor do I support racism on either side. Yes, I will admit I was on a bit of a rant on this story because I feel strongly about this Additionally, I am confident that of all people Don Imus is not a racist. It might be better if alot of us would agree to disagree and focus our efforts on getting words like ho, bitch and other language away from our children's ears. Rap music and bad language is not a racial issue. I don't remember hearing any of this language in great black singers such as Sam Cooke or Ray Charles James Brown [we dont think his words were hard to understand] or even hard core blues men like Blind Lemon Jefferson, Robert Johnson or Sonhouse. This language problem exists because someone moved the bar. We need to put it back. Thank you . Glenn E Brandon JR JD BIRMINGHAM ALABAMA