Imus critics: Apology, suspension not enough
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Critics of radio host Don Imus aren't swayed by the shock jock's apology or MSNBC and CBS Radio's decisions to suspend him after he referred to a women's college basketball team as "nappy-headed hos."
They want Imus canned, plain and simple -- not only because the remark was deemed racist, but also because it smacked of misogyny.
Imus tried to stem the backlash from his comments by appearing on the Rev. Al. Sharpton's syndicated radio show Monday, where he said there was no excuse for his remark and "I wish I hadn't said it. I'm sorry I said it." (Watch CNN's Jeanne Moos on the Apology Hall of FameVideo)
Imus made the offensive barb Wednesday, the day after the Rutgers University women lost their national championship bid to the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
Sharpton was not placated by Imus' apology and told CNN's Paula Zahn later Monday that the radio host's two-week suspension was merely "a baby step in the right direction."
"I think to say that his statements were racist, as they've said, then that means they should not allow him to come back," he said.
The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and National Association of Black Journalists have joined the former Democratic presidential hopeful in his call for Imus' ouster. The SCLC has asked the Federal Communications Commission to enter the fray.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson said during a Monday demonstration outside NBC's Chicago, Illinois, studio that Imus' comment should not be written off as "a slip of the lip."
The NAACP echoed Jackson and Sharpton's sentiment, saying, "Those that are given access to the public through mainstream media must be put on notice that they have everything to lose by spewing racist ideas and rants."
Added Julian Bond, chairman of the group's national board of directors: "As long as an audience is attracted to his bigotry and politicians and pundits tolerate his racism and chauvinism to promote themselves, Don Imus will continue to be a serial apologist for prejudice. It is past time his employers took him off the air."
Women also came to the Scarlet Knights' defense Tuesday, insisting that the flap over Imus' remarks was not solely about race.
"My listeners are irate; they're just so upset about this. It's just something that continues to happen with this person," said April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks. "I think right now it's about women and minorities. It's not just about minority women; it's women and minorities he's offended and humanity as a whole."
Appearing on Sharpton's show, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, a Michigan Democrat and chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, also raised the issue of chauvinism.
"I mean, who says 'hos' publicly?" she asked. "What is that? That is probably one of the most derogatory things any woman -- black, brown, yellow -- could even ever experience."
The Rutgers hoops squad, which has eight black and two white players, is scheduled to break its silence on Imus' remarks during an 11 a.m. ET news conference Tuesday.
Suspensions to begin Monday
MSNBC and CBS Radio, which owns New York's sports-talk station WFAN, announced they were suspending Imus for two weeks for his remarks, effective Monday.
MSNBC's "future relationship" with Imus depends on "his ability to live up to his word," according to a statement from NBC News. The cable channel simulcasts a television version of Imus' radio show.
"His dedication -- in his words -- to change the discourse on his program moving forward has confirmed for us that this action is appropriate," the statement said. (Watch Imus on Sharpton's showVideo)
Shortly afterward, CBS announced plans to suspend its broadcast of Imus' radio program for the same two weeks.
On the Wednesday show that kicked off the controversy, Imus told listeners, "That's some rough girls from Rutgers."
"Man, they got tattoos," he said. "That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that now."
Imus apologized for the remark Friday and repeated the apology Monday.
"I'm a good person, but I said a bad thing," he said. "But these young women deserve to know that it was not said with malice." (Watch how some say "sorry" isn't enoughVideo)
On the Rutgers campus, Imus' words were met with outrage. University President Richard McCormick called the remarks "disgraceful, disgusting and racist."
McCormick further said the women hoopsters "represented Rutgers in an exemplary fashion of which we are extraordinarily proud, and then he says that. Why, why, why, why, why?"
Should Imus be sacked?
However, not everyone believes Imus' remarks should earn him the boot.
Syndicated columnist Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune said the suspension was sufficient in his view.
"I personally think that's enough. That's more than he has ever gotten before," said Page. "He was called to the carpet by his public on numerous occasions. I think this gives a sound warning because it hits him in the pocketbook, although I am sure it will just help his ratings."
Republican presidential contender Sen. John McCain said Monday that the shock jock's comments haven't dissuaded him from appearing on the show.
"I'm a great believer in redemption," the senator from Arizona told reporters in Phoenix. "Whether he needs to do more in order to satisfy the concerns of people like the members of that team, that's something that's between him and them."
Page said candidates may need to answer for their appearances on the show, "just as if they belonged to a country club that discriminates."
Howard Kurtz, media critic for The Washington Post and host of CNN's "Reliable Sources," said Imus is known for his comedy, but "his comedy too often strays into the offensive."
Kurtz, whom Imus once called a "boner-nosed, beanie-wearing Jew boy," said Imus may now understand that his remarks about the Rutgers team crossed the line.
"Imus should be held accountable for some of these offensive things that he says, but there is also a good side to Don Imus, and I don't think that should be completely obliterated in all of this chest thumping," he said.
Source