So Don Imus was fired by CBS: What is the big deal?

Don Imus has been canned by CBS Radio. After his funding’s been pulled, and he was suspended by MSNBC for his disparaging remarks about the Rutgers University players. Forgive me if I sound insensitive, but what the hell is the big deal?

We created this problem on our own. Just the fact that the word “shockjock” exists as a common term is proof that what this country wants are crazies that take the normal to the next level. Judging by the success of the original shock jock Howard Stern, we simply love what borders on the obscene, what pushed the envelope. We eat up the insults, and it drives up the ratings of those that are doing the insulting. The shock factor is what everyone is getting used to…so that the shock levels must increase exponentially to outdo the last.

We not only encourage this behavior on talk radio, but we ultimately support and encourage it daily across all radio airwaves when virually any rap song is played. The difference is the target audience.

Now I’m not approving of calling women ho's. Obviously there are better words that can be used. But come on, it can be funny! I am just saying that the word has lost some of its shock factor because of the overuse of the word by the rap community. Even my girlfriends and I affectionately call each other ho’s.

Combine the word with “Nappy headed” however, and there you have your shock term. Want a reaction? Bring race into it. Make sure it’s not your race, of course, because then it would just be a term of endearment. Women can call each other things that men can’t call them, and the same goes for racial slurs. But when you combine a race-related term with a sex-related one, well, perhaps that is what crosses the line for some.

So Imus has been cancelled by CBS Radio. Why is that? Doesn’t CBS Radio play songs like every other conglomerate that use words and terminology far worse than the terms Imus used?
CBS Chairman Leslie Moonves said in a statement announcing Imus’ firing:

“In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society.”

If that is really their concern, then firing a man who said what he did once, live, to refer to a specific group of women seems rather hypocritical when so many levels of CBS employees have approved the lyrics of the songs that they play the rest of the time, over and over again.

Who looks at the lyrics “I’ve got ho's in different area codes” and says, “Yeah, that sounds great, no disparaging message here. Pass this on to the next guy for approval.” When that song makes it all the way to the top, and plays across the airwaves, that message is reaching far more young women of color than those that listen to Imus’ show. This is a far more pre-meditated process, with the approval of far more parties.

An offhand comment made live with little forethought, by a comedian known (and paid) for 30 years to say things that people will react to, is far less offensive to me anyway, because it was off the cuff. CBS Broadcasting should take a look at what they play every day and the message they’re sending instead of only reacting when there is an outcry over one issue.

But I agree with the Rutgers team, who accepted his apology. After it cost him his job, of course. Maybe this will be a catalyst for change. Maybe we can start rethinking what we think is funny and encourage less shocking news and let the media report on the real issues. Did you hear there's a war going on?