My Take On the Imus Situation

As most of you know, I teach at a rather diverse high school in the area. Consequently, I feel that I have somewhat of a pulse on popular culture and youth and how the two affect one another. Quite often I can be sitting in my classroom between classes and can easily hear what is being said by students as they make their way through the halls. I cannot count how many times I have heard the following exclamations or ones very similar, "F_ _ _ you b_ _ _ _!," " You stuid n_ _ _ _!," and "Hey ho!" For the most part, these phrases are being uttered by African American students. (I cannot recall hearing anyone being called a nappy-headed ho, but that may due to the fact that many youth today are not as familiar with the word "nappy").

I certainly agree with the fact that Don Imus's statement was racist and sexist, not to mention the fact that it was just downright mean and hateful. However, I want to echo the sentiments of many others who believe that there is a definite double standard that is taking place with such issues in our society today. Why is it O.K. for the rap industry to spew this kind of hate toward women, while prominent African American leaders appear to turn a blind eye? When Imus says these things, it is abominable and when Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr. says something similar, it is called "art." I didn't know that the degradation of certain members in society could be deemed as artistic. Mr. Broadus, (which I believe the culture would do well to cease calling its black icons Pacman, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Ludicrous, etc..., and refer to them by their real names which might serve to stop perpetuating the cartoonish irresponsible image that these names portray) claims however, “Kick him off the air forever... Rappers are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. We’re talking about ho’s that’s in the ‘hood that ain’t doing sh–, that’s trying to get a n—a for his money. These are two separate things. First of all, we ain’t no old-ass white men that sit up on MSNBC going hard on black girls. We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel. I will not let them mutha—-as say we in the same league as him."

Oh really, Mr. Broadus? Let me get this straight. Just because these ideas come from your soul and are relevant to what you feel does not make them right. Apparently, these ideas also came from the soul of Mr. Imus and they were not right. And you, who I'm assuming are relatively well off financially, why are you not trying to help these "hos" improve their lives and improve their self image? Self-image, according to Al Sharpton, is one of the reasons why he believes that Imus' comments were so unconscionable. Read his exchange with Mr. O'Riled Up, earlier this week:

O'REILLY: The Imus thing is a sideshow.

SHARPTON: "It's not a sideshow when you have people making millions of dollars a year, denigrating and creating a psychology that only reinforces the same thing. In order to help lift people up they have to look up. And you can't look up if you are being reduced. So the way to inspire that kid is to say you're more than that. And one of the ways of showing him he is more than that is when he is attacked wrongfully to stand up for him just like you stand up to him.

I challenge young people every day in our organization. You've got to be something. I cannot challenge them if somebody tells them you're nothing. And I don't say wait a minute, I'm not going to allow you to say that."

As the good book says, "As a man thinks in his heart so is he." Point well taken. So, why is Sharpton not saying this to Mr. Broadus?