Darius11 12 #126 April 11, 2007 Very intresting read. QuoteTime for Jackson, Sharpton to Step Down Pair See Potential for Profit, Attention in Imus Incident By JASON WHITLOCK AOL Sports Commentary I’m calling for Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, the president and vice president of Black America, to step down. Their leadership is stale. Their ideas are outdated. And they don’t give a damn about us. We need to take a cue from White America and re-elect our leadership every four years. White folks realize that power corrupts. That’s why they placed term limits on the presidency. They know if you leave a man in power too long he quits looking out for the interest of his constituency and starts looking out for his own best interest. We’ve turned Jesse and Al into Supreme Court justices. They get to speak for us for a lifetime. Why? If judged by the results they’ve produced the last 20 years, you’d have to regard their administration as a total failure. Seriously, compared to Martin and Malcolm and the freedoms and progress their leadership produced, Jesse and Al are an embarrassment. Their job the last two decades was to show black people how to take advantage of the opportunities Martin and Malcolm won. Have we at the level we should have? No. Rather than inspire us to seize hard-earned opportunities, Jesse and Al have specialized in blackmailing white folks for profit and attention. They were at it again last week, helping to turn radio shock jock Don Imus’ stupidity into a world-wide crisis that reached its crescendo Tuesday afternoon when Rutgers women’s basketball coach Vivian Stringer led a massive pity party/recruiting rally. calling the Rutgers players "nappy-headed hos," was ignorant, insensitive and offensive. But so are many of the words that come out of the mouths of radio shock jocks/comedians. Imus’ words did no real damage. Let me tell you what damaged us this week: the sports cover of Tuesday’s USA Today. This country’s newspaper of record published a story about the NFL and crime and ran a picture of 41 NFL players who were arrested in 2006. By my count, 39 of those players were black. You want to talk about a damaging, powerful image, an image that went out across the globe? We’re holding news conferences about Imus when the behavior of NFL players is painting us as lawless and immoral. Come on. We can do better than that. Jesse and Al are smarter than that. Had Imus’ predictably poor attempt at humor not been turned into an international incident by the deluge of media coverage, 97 percent of America would’ve never known what Imus said. His platform isn’t that large and it has zero penetration into the sports world. Imus certainly doesn’t resonate in the world frequented by college women. The insistence by these young women that they have been emotionally scarred by an old white man with no currency in their world is laughably dishonest. The Rutgers players are nothing more than pawns in a game being played by Jackson, Sharpton and Stringer. Jesse and Al are flexing their muscle and setting up their next sting. Bringing down Imus, despite his sincere attempts at apologizing, would serve notice to their next potential victim that it is far better to pay up than stand up to Jesse and Al James. Stringer just wanted her 15 minutes to make the case that she’s every bit as important as Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma. By the time Stringer’s rambling, rapping and rhyming 30-minute speech was over, you’d forgotten that Tennessee won the national championship and just assumed a racist plot had been hatched to deny the Scarlet Knights credit for winning it all. Maybe that’s the real crime. Imus’ ignorance has taken attention away from Candace Parker’s and Summitt’s incredible accomplishment. Or maybe it was Sharpton’s, Stringer’s and Jackson’s grandstanding that moved the spotlight from Tennessee to New Jersey? None of this over-the-top grandstanding does Black America any good. Most Popular Sports Stories NFL Suspends Pacman for 2007 SeasonNASCAR Driver Charged With Hit-and-RunDurant Officially Leaving Texas for NBALawsuit Filed Against Hall of Famer Irvin Aaron Won't Witness Bonds' Record BreakerWe can’t win the war over verbal disrespect and racism when we have so obviously and blatantly surrendered the moral high ground on the issue. Jesse and Al might win the battle with Imus and get him fired or severely neutered. But the war? We don’t stand a chance in the war. Not when everybody knows “nappy-headed ho’s” is a compliment compared to what we allow black rap artists to say about black women on a daily basis. We look foolish and cruel for kicking a man who went on Sharpton’s radio show and apologized. Imus didn’t pull a Michael Richards and schedule an interview on Letterman. Imus went to the Black vice president’s house, acknowledged his mistake and asked for forgiveness. Let it go and let God. We have more important issues to deal with than Imus. If we are unwilling to clean up the filth and disrespect we heap on each other, nothing will change with our condition. You can fire every Don Imus in the country, and our incarceration rate, fatherless-child rate, illiteracy rate and murder rate will still continue to skyrocket. A man who doesn’t respect himself wastes his breath demanding that others respect him. We don’t respect ourselves right now. If we did, we wouldn’t call each other the N-word. If we did, we wouldn’t let people with prison values define who we are in music and videos. If we did, we wouldn’t call black women bitches and hos and abandon them when they have our babies. If we had the proper level of self-respect, we wouldn’t act like it’s only a crime when a white man disrespects us. We hold Imus to a higher standard than we hold ourselves. That’s a (freaking) shame. We need leadership that is interested in fixing the culture we’ve adopted. We need leadership that makes all of us take tremendous pride in educating ourselves. We need leadership that can reach professional athletes and entertainers and get them to understand that they’re ambassadors and play an important role in defining who we are and what values our culture will embrace. It’s time for Jesse and Al to step down. They’ve had 25 years to lead us. Other than their accountants, I’d be hard pressed to find someone who has benefited from their administration. http://sports.aol.com/whitlock/_a/time-for-jackson-sharpton-to-step-down/20070411111509990001I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #127 April 11, 2007 Quote You make some very good points. Good job rehmwa! dammit - that's not the reaction I was shooting for at all.Now, how can I get back to shore with all the wind in my sails gone? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Royd 0 #128 April 11, 2007 Quote and with the Rev UH Ruhnd Jack Son Hey now, you don't like Rush, don't be stealin' his material. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Royd 0 #129 April 11, 2007 QuoteIt's wrong either way. Out of a rapper's mouth or Don Imus' mouth. How many people do you think are driving down the street, thumping that crap to the whole world, are probably jumping on the Sharpton bandwagon? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Amazon 7 #130 April 11, 2007 QuoteHey now, you don't like Rush, don't be stealin' his material. Hey.. I dont like either of them.... I am an equal opportunity disliker of extremists on either side of the political/racial bigotry spectrum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #131 April 11, 2007 QuoteLike it or not, Whitey cannot say things that black folk can. End of discussion. _________________________________ True story! Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #132 April 11, 2007 Quote Quote You make some very good points. Good job rehmwa! dammit - that's not the reaction I was shooting for at all.Now, how can I get back to shore with all the wind in my sails gone? ____________________________ But... but... You'd make a good salesman.Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #133 April 11, 2007 QuoteQuoteLike it or not, Whitey cannot say things that black folk can. End of discussion. _________________________________ True story! Chuck Not only that, but whitey can be made fun of any time, any place, no matter who's doin' the fun-makin'. It's in the rule book. How many times has Eddie Murphy made some ridiculous characterization of white people??? How much of a fool would some white guy have appeared if he acted all hurt by those comments. Give me a break. linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #134 April 11, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteLike it or not, Whitey cannot say things that black folk can. End of discussion. _________________________________ True story! Chuck Not only that, but whitey can be made fun of any time, any place, no matter who's doin' the fun-makin'. It's in the rule book. How many times has Eddie Murphy made some ridiculous characterization of white people??? How much of a fool would some white guy have appeared if he acted all hurt by those comments. Give me a break. linz ____________________________________ ...or the movie 'White Chicks'? I do believe, there is a bit of 'over-reaction' to this. This is just more 'politically correct' bull-shit. Like I said, I could see, those girls were hurt and all but, nobody ever said that life was easy. I was told; "you gotta be tough or you're not going to make it." Imus apologised... accept the apology and go on living. By the way... how did the producer 'skate' on this deal... he was right there and eggin' it on? He gets nothin'? Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eflynn 0 #135 April 11, 2007 When you hear me say I'm waiting on an apology that I wouldn't accept then you can point your finger at me. What I'm inerested in is dialogue that will lead to understanding a perspective outside "what's the big deal? everyone else says it?" I've never said anything about reserving words for black people only and before you raise your sharpton or jackson flag understand they speak for themselves. I'm intelligent enough to realize a person from a different "community" with a point of view isn't necessarily representative of that entire community. If Imus was "in tune with diverse cultures including hip-hop" as you say, that would have never left his mouth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #136 April 11, 2007 QuoteWhen you hear me say I'm waiting on an apology that I wouldn't accept then you can point your finger at me. What I'm inerested in is dialogue that will lead to understanding a perspective outside "what's the big deal? everyone else says it?" I've never said anything about reserving words for black people only and before you raise your sharpton or jackson flag understand they speak for themselves. I'm intelligent enough to realize a person from a different "community" with a point of view isn't necessarily representative of that entire community. If Imus was "in tune with diverse cultures including hip-hop" as you say, that would have never left his mouth. Whether you say it or not, it is happening, and you also admitted earlier in this thread that blacks frequently use nappy hair to describe their hair. We're discussing what actually happened here and the response of the broader black community to that. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eflynn 0 #137 April 11, 2007 Show me where I said black people walk up to each other all the time and say "your hair is nappy." "You can claim it all you like, it doesn't make it so..." Touche. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eflynn 0 #138 April 12, 2007 Nobody knows, but it doesn't change a thing. I certainly have my issues with music. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #139 April 12, 2007 QuoteShow me where I said black people walk up to each other all the time and say "your hair is nappy." "You can claim it all you like, it doesn't make it so..." Touche. You said this: QuoteYour friend referring to her hair as "nappy" doesn't change the fact it has a negative connotation. Her using the word in reference to herself, in front of you doedn't change anything either. She had a grade of hair that was difficult to work with as opposed to "good hair," a term that's also used in the black community. But whether you admit blacks use this word or not, the simple fact is they DO use this word. Just what are you trying to say? Blacks don't use the term "nappy hair" casually to describe their own hair. That is absurd, they do, I've heard it, you don't have a leg to stand on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eflynn 0 #140 April 12, 2007 Your words were directed towards me. I'm not here to defend all black voices but explain how and why I feel the way I do. It may be happening but who's to say the majority of the people are unwilling to accept the apology before it's given? That's a reckless assumption at best. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mpohl 1 #141 April 12, 2007 These days, teachers are note even allowed to hug a 4- or 5-yr old for repercussions of sexual abuse. What does that imply about society? P.S.: I have nappy-headed asshair! QuoteImus is an idiot for even addressing Sharpton and the rest. It was a joke, and if they can't take it, to freaking bad. There are lots of things he could have said that are blatantly racist, but "nappy headed ho's" isn't one of them. But shit, throw him off the air. I like O&A and R&F anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eflynn 0 #142 April 12, 2007 What I'm saying is simple: Imus' reference to the scene in School Daze shows he's at least aware of what the term means. He's aware that used the way he used it, it's an insult. Out of anyone's mouth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #143 April 12, 2007 QuoteYour words were directed towards me. I'm not here to defend all black voices but explain how and why I feel the way I do. It may be happening but who's to say the majority of the people are unwilling to accept the apology before it's given? That's a reckless assumption at best. Well he apologised and you're STILL bitching. In fact that portion of my post was primarily based on comments by one of the players themselves I heard on the radio. But it is also reinforced by the actions of Sharpton and words callers to his show while Imus was on. The fact is that while demanding an apology there is absolutely no interest in accepting it. And I have a sound factual basis on which to make that statement. When Imus mentions you personally on the radio we can focus on your need for an apology. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #144 April 12, 2007 Quote P.S.: I have nappy-headed asshair! That means you're nappy assed, but that's REALLY confusing to a Brit, since all babies are nappy assed until they get potty trained. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eflynn 0 #145 April 12, 2007 I guess I should just shut up like a good dog now that he's apologized. Apologies are like gifts. You present them to a person, if they don't want it you set it down and leave it there. The team came to a consensus decision to ask for an apology but the individual players have the right to not accept it. That's their choice. But then again, they should just probably just be grateful and shut up. Sharpton speaks for himself. Himself. Say it to yourself one time silently. If I post here and preface what I say with "On behalf of the entire black community..." does that mean I'm their voice? The same holds true for Sharpton. And I never asked Imus to apologize to me. Get a bar. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hambone 0 #146 April 12, 2007 QuoteWhat I'm saying is simple: Imus' reference to the scene in School Daze shows he's at least aware of what the term means. He's aware that used the way he used it, it's an insult. Out of anyone's mouth. If it was in a movie then what is the big deal! No one got angry about it when it was spoken in School Daze.Yeah...You need to grow up. -Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #147 April 12, 2007 Don Imus was fired from MSNBC today... Not sure how I feel about all of this. On one hand, I realize that things can be said that are offensive to people. On the other, I've had some very nasty things said about me, and my position is let it ride. With rare exception, if a person is being deliberately provoking, I will generally cool the friendship or simply walk away from a stranger. And again with rare exception, my circle of friends can discuss anything and everything...and not worry about race and offensiveness. I have a few black friends that let me ask whatever I want about their "racial" issues; one is a dear lady, and we have had long talks about the differences in the black and the white "culture". One of my friends got extensions, and was complaining of a headache; we talked about "nappy-headedness", and discussed societal impacts on black women with hair styles. Some of their positions were decidedly odd; some I could readily understand. Other times we've talked about childbearing (see Lawrocket's post on this thread) and why the different races tend towards different types of families (i.e. young motherhood v. old motherhood). This topic came up when I brought up the statistic that african american women had fewer down syndrome babies than did caucasians, and wondered if it were more societal rather than genetic (i.e old v. young motherhood). We've talked about absentee fathers, relationships, interracial romance/sex, and educational opportunities. Perhaps because we are at the same school and in the same classes can we discuss this sort of thing as we are experiencing the same sort of roadblocks and accomplishments at the same time. I guess what I'm trying to say is that if something is offensive, there comes a point where one just walks away from the offense, rather than remaining involved in the controversy. I'm saying that while there are indeed racists, most people are simply ignorant (and I include all races in the ignorance quotient), and don't know any better. If they've been indoctrinated by parents and society to expect a certain thing, it takes some interestingly complex events to break them out of that thing. In re the topic at hand, Sharpton is a lying fuck, Jackson is a hypocritial fuck, and Don Imus is an ignornant fuck. I don't think this comment deserved Imus' firing; and am disappointed that it has, in fact occurred. Do I watch Imus? Nope - he's an ignorant fuck, and I have never watched/listened to him. But in the same vein that I live my life by, my talk is my walk...I don't listen, watch, care, or even register that some people are fucks after the initial assessment. They get no further attention from me...and I just go about living my life as I see fit... I wish other people could/would do that... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #148 April 12, 2007 Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream: 'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion, A home and a country should leave us no more! Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust." And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #149 April 12, 2007 Why, thank you! I don't believe anyone else has ever sung/posted the SSB to me before. not sure how to react...so I'll choose to be pleased. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dorbie 0 #150 April 12, 2007 Quote Why, thank you! I don't believe anyone else has ever sung/posted the SSB to me before. not sure how to react...so I'll choose to be pleased. You deserve it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
