Don Imus deserves to be fired, both for what he said and the message he represents.
If this shock jock can go on air to a nationally-televised audience and call the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" imagine what he and some listeners say about blacks in their living rooms. And what's said in living rooms evenutally moves to the board room where racism may not be spoken, but it thrives...
You can deny it, call it media overkill. You'll be wrong.
You can argue that what Imus said is no worse than some rap lyrics. You'd be right, but one person's error in judgment should not be an excuse for another to follow suit.
I believe in freedom of the press.
But Imus, like other media personalities, have a responsibility to not spread hate, especially when readers value his words.
I agree that MSNBC was right to can him, I just wish they had the courage to tell the truth as to why? I read a great column this morning. I'm not sure if you will agree with it but I think you will still find it intersting.
Mia
http://joeleonardi.wordpress.com/2007/04/12/the-meek-spineless-national-broadcasting-corporation-msnbc/