America & Race: Post Imus

America should discuss race. We should discuss the realties and repercussions. We should discuss our divisions. We should discuss our racial choices and our reasoning. We should talk before the next incident.

On April 4, Don Imus discussed the NCAA Women’s Tournament Championship. During his conversation, Imus labeled the Rutgers Lady Scarlet Knights “nappy headed hos.” Immediately, his firing was demanded.

Initially, Imus’s apology was dismissive. As firing demands escalated, he apologized formally. On April 10, both MSNBC and CBS suspended him for two weeks. Sponsors commenced departing. On April 11and 12, MSNBC and CBS fired Imus.

Imus’s axing had a soul basis. Historically, he voiced racial animus and incendiary speech. On this occasion, he targeted defenseless collegians. However, the aforesaid were irrelevant. The lone basis was monetary. Those who fired Imus should say this aloud.

Imus was also a double standard’s victim. Rappers have popularized vicious racial epithets. Nefarious words are acceptable amongst African-Americans. They are unacceptable said by caucasians. These labels are explosive, vile, and repugnant. They should never be spoken.

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson were the firing’s catalysts. They spoke for the black community. They are unfortunate spokesmen. Jackson and Sharpton damage the black community. They embrace hatred and victimization. They are not a generation’s voices. They are the moment’s profiteers.

Imus has been fired. However, racism and bigotry will not disappear. On April 15, 1981, Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Al Campanis disparaged African-Americans. Immediately, he was fired. When Major League Baseball hired Harry Edwards, he reinstated Campanis. His perceptive reason? “There are a lot of Al Campanis in the world,” Edwards said. “Its good to have someone in house who knows how they think.”