Dear Friends:
I thought I’d take a small break from the usual matters of christian Apologetics and put a post up that has to do with the recent happenings surrounding the Don Imus tragedy. Unless you’re on Mars somewhere, you have heard about the stupid remarks and the subsequent firing of Shock-jock, Mr. Imus.
First, I think that the vast majority of Americans agree that his remarks were hurtful, degrading, and very unfortunate. The mere fact that he attacked young women of color who are private citizens, scholar-athletes , and intelligent and classy, speaks volumes to the mindset of Mr. Imus as it relates to how he views people of color. Of course, there was the immediate outcry by so-called Black leaders such as the Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Both of these men are amazingly adapt at using the media for their own selfish purposes.
However, it should be pointed out that they don’t speak for the vast majority of Black People in America. We have come to know their rhetoric and hypocrisy all too well. Imagine for a moment that Al sharpton and Jesse Jackson as the “moral compass” for America in general and Black America in particular; wouldn’t we be in serious trouble? I think so. Now, to the point of whether Mr. Imus should have been fired, I realize that there are strong convictions on all sides of the spectrum. I have my own thoughts concerning his ouster by his employers, and other thoughts of the entire matter. Therefore, let me take a few moments to highlight some of them:
1. The remarks are what they are and Mr. Imus must be brought into accountability. However, does that mean firing? I say NO! People make honest mistakes even when they’re trying to be funny! The political climate in America has gone crazy to say the least. Any time a person makes a mistake, rather than offering that person an opportunity to redeem himself, we prefer to assassinate and crucify them…just to make a political statement. what a pity!
2. I see obvious hypocrisy in the firing of this man. If MSNBC and CBS felt that it was appropriate to terminate their relationship with Mr. Imus, then why didn’t they do it on principle alone? They waited a week after the remarks to see what the climate was going to be, and it was apparent that there was mounting political pressure to fire him, they decided to do it on that basis alone. However, what is really interesting is when they were asked why they decided to fire Imus, the CEO’s of the respective networks says it was because of “previous remarks” he had made over the years. I say baloney! Why did it take over 30 years with CBS to decide that his remarks were inappropriate?
3. Black America was NOT shocked by Imus remarks! Most of us, including those young women on Rutgers Basketball Team have been called worst by our own people. I don’t believe that there is a young Black woman in America between the ages of 16-30 who has not been called a “Ho” by a boyfriend, or some male acquaintance.
4. Where is the outcry by Black America against the thugs of the Hip-Hop music industry, who denigrate, devastate, and disrespect OUR women daily? Why did we make these thugs multi-millionaires by buying their Satanic poison and then have the audacity to call them “Artists?” There is nothing in their music that constitutes Art; they are tools and instruments for Satan’s destructive and demonic purposes. When will Rev. Al and Rev. Jesse stand up and boycott and protest against the perpetrators of filth that promotes this kind of deviant behavior?
5. The simple truth about these remarks is a White man spoke them! I am certain had a Black man spoked those words, we would not be hearing all of this fuss, and there certainly would not have been a demand for firing by prominent Black leaders.
In closing, I want to make it clear that as the Father of two young, beautiful daughters, I could never condone such insensitive and demeaning remarks, nor would I hold the person who spoke them guiltless. However, my Christian understanding is that even in the midst of inappropriate behavior like we have heard and witness, there still must be a sense of fairness, compassion, communication, and a desire to forgive, especially when a sincere apology have been given. While I understand that there are consequences to our sins, I also know that the Lord has not dealt with us according to our failures, but He has extended mercy and grace. Doesn’t Don Imus deserve the same consideration? That’s my take, what’s yours?
