A
AConsultant
Guest
I’ve been in broadcasting since 1973. I’ve been in major markets most of my career as an air talent, music director, production director and program director. Now I am a (dreaded) “consultant”. My blood pressure has hit high ratings many times during my time in radio, but now it’s a 100 share thanks to the Imus-issue.
I’ve never been an Imus fan. Of course I’ve listened often since it’s part of the job to be media aware. This current issue about Imus’s racist remarks has me boiling. Enough is enough. Last night I spent a few hours reviewing a DVD of “All in the Family”. Archie was what, an “acceptable bigot?” The comments made by Archie about blacks made the comment by Imus seem very insignificant. The one episode features two black guys robbing Archie’s house. It’s a great episode. It’s fun. In this particular episode, the word “Jigaboo” is used a few times by Archie. Is that word acceptable? If I were during a talk show today and got on the air and said “nappy headed jigaboos” – would that be ok? Or have we gone backwards, losing our ability to laugh at ourselves, our color, our nationality, or religion. Why did “All in the Family” survive on the air? This is just one example. And what about the rap and hip-hop lyrics?
If Al Sharpton was doing a different kind of show – let’s say a show like Imus, and he called the Rutgers team “nappy headed hos” in jest, as Imus did, what would the result be?
I believe that you first must BE a racist to identify racism. If you are a person who simply enjoys humor and can laugh at the experience we call “life”, then you would probably not be offended by Imus, or Archie, or Geroge Carlin, or Don Rickles, or Howard Stern or whoever. But if your sensitivities and mental focus are wrapped around racism in all it’s shapes and forms, then what does that say? All of the time consumed by this issue will result in what good? Imus may lose his job. But will racism stop? Will this bring a complete and total understanding and acceptance between all the people on the earth? Will this bring peace among all people?
Will the Rutgers women feel good about the outcome?
No.
It just creates more problems and a lack of understanding between the races. And it’s too bad that people like Sharpton use their power to perpetuate more negative effects in a situation like this than positive ones.
If we can’t laugh at ourselves then we’re doomed. “We the people” – ALL the people should not be led down the path of destruction by closeted racist claiming to be champions of the people. They thrive on strife and discontent because that gives them the power to be in control. Think for yourself. Are the women of Rutgers really “Nappy-headed hos?” They don’t think so. I don’t. You probably don’t. It was another stupid non-thinking comment made by a grossly overpaid, poorly embalmed, over the hill radio prima-donna. Why waste all this time?
What is the difference between Archie and Imus? Archie was fictional. Imus is a parody.
A joke.
I’ve never been an Imus fan. Of course I’ve listened often since it’s part of the job to be media aware. This current issue about Imus’s racist remarks has me boiling. Enough is enough. Last night I spent a few hours reviewing a DVD of “All in the Family”. Archie was what, an “acceptable bigot?” The comments made by Archie about blacks made the comment by Imus seem very insignificant. The one episode features two black guys robbing Archie’s house. It’s a great episode. It’s fun. In this particular episode, the word “Jigaboo” is used a few times by Archie. Is that word acceptable? If I were during a talk show today and got on the air and said “nappy headed jigaboos” – would that be ok? Or have we gone backwards, losing our ability to laugh at ourselves, our color, our nationality, or religion. Why did “All in the Family” survive on the air? This is just one example. And what about the rap and hip-hop lyrics?
If Al Sharpton was doing a different kind of show – let’s say a show like Imus, and he called the Rutgers team “nappy headed hos” in jest, as Imus did, what would the result be?
I believe that you first must BE a racist to identify racism. If you are a person who simply enjoys humor and can laugh at the experience we call “life”, then you would probably not be offended by Imus, or Archie, or Geroge Carlin, or Don Rickles, or Howard Stern or whoever. But if your sensitivities and mental focus are wrapped around racism in all it’s shapes and forms, then what does that say? All of the time consumed by this issue will result in what good? Imus may lose his job. But will racism stop? Will this bring a complete and total understanding and acceptance between all the people on the earth? Will this bring peace among all people?
Will the Rutgers women feel good about the outcome?
No.
It just creates more problems and a lack of understanding between the races. And it’s too bad that people like Sharpton use their power to perpetuate more negative effects in a situation like this than positive ones.
If we can’t laugh at ourselves then we’re doomed. “We the people” – ALL the people should not be led down the path of destruction by closeted racist claiming to be champions of the people. They thrive on strife and discontent because that gives them the power to be in control. Think for yourself. Are the women of Rutgers really “Nappy-headed hos?” They don’t think so. I don’t. You probably don’t. It was another stupid non-thinking comment made by a grossly overpaid, poorly embalmed, over the hill radio prima-donna. Why waste all this time?
What is the difference between Archie and Imus? Archie was fictional. Imus is a parody.
A joke.
