Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Racial Controversy Involving Imus Again

Imus makes headlines again...

Not long ago, Imus was "fired" then, apologized, and then was back on the air for Citadel Broadcasting Corporation and 77 WABC Radio, after calling the Rutgers women’s basketball team, "Nappy Headed Hos".

Many might remember that, if not, the links above will catch you up

Today we see another possible controversy involving Imus, via The Politico, where there was a conversation about suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, and in the course of the conversation Imus was told that Jones has “been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005.”

Imus, being Imus, asked what color Jones was and Imus was informed that "He’s African-American"

Imus responded with, "Well, there you go. Now we know.”

You can listen to the relevant parts of the segment in question over at Politico.

Imus is a shock jock, one I have never heard speak personally, I don't listen to talk radio, but from the recent controversy, some say that he hasn't really learned anything and is not going to change.....ever.


[Update] 6/24/08- After Politico brought attention to the comments made by Imus, an update was added saying that Imus made a statement saying his comments were being misunderstood, further stating, "I meant that he was being picked on because he's black". It is also being reported that Imus plans to address the comments he made on his next show.

ESPN reports that Phil Boyce, Vice President of WABC and Citadel Broadcasting Corp., says that after a private conversation with Imus where Imus explained his remarks and that Boyce fond the explanation satisfactory. Boyce added, "I think some people may be misunderstanding what he meant"

People are going to have to make up their minds for themselves about what Imus meant, if it was intended to be offensive to Jones or whether the intent was to be offensive to the police.

Either way, Imus is a shock jock, he did mean to offend someone, that is what he does and will continue to do.

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