The "Politically Correct" War

[Astra de Aurora]

By Feris Kai

"So it was announced today that Imus was not only fired from MSNBC but also CBS due to his recent 'racially insensitive comments" (i.e. nappy headed hoes), and I am surprised this has not made it to the debate room. Imus is a major personality as far as radio goes ...but he has always been known for shocking remarks on all sorts of society and politics, however his recent un-PC comments have left him w/o a job and audience. I wonder if anyone on this site has a profound opinion on the matter. I personally view it as a witch-hunt lost in the rightousness of anti-racism movement. It seems as if there is a major PC (politically correct) WAR going on in America and Imus' old white ass is the latest victim. What do you think?"[/b]

 

[Epic]

Politically correct people can kiss my white ass while I go around and call people Arabic, Black, Mexican, or whatever else! If you're politically Correct, then go over to Russia, ya Commie Bastard!

 

[lakorish]

Well, someone's gotta be the scapegoat for the nation w/ problems. It might as well be Imus. I wonder what happened to the whole "freedom of speech" clause of the Constitution. Sure there should be limits, but come on. This is a little extreme. Definitely should not have been fired.

A little anger Aaron? Or were you just blowing smoke?

 

[Epic]

Agreed. If he gets fired for what he says, then Larry the Cable Guy should be(God Forbid) dropped from his label, as should (Again, God Forbid) Robin Williams.

 

[Adamis]

I don't really know much about this but I know a little. It seems to me to be a bit of a double standard. I mean black rappers go around people ho's and the N word and get away with it because "its artistic expression". Well is what this guy did kind of also "artistic expression"?

I personnally find it very stupid that everyone these days think that racism can only ever be commited by "white people" on other races simply because it was by far the most common form of racism in the past. Is that not racism in itself? Assuming that only one race can ever commit racism?

 

[Ser Yorick]

It seems as if there is a major PC (politically correct) WAR going on in America and Imus' old white ass is the latest victim. What do you think?[/b]

Uhh... he is NOT a victim. And I don't know how the hell him being fired for his obviously inappropriate behavior is a politically correct movement. He wasn't being politically incorrect, he was being racist. If he just called those girls blacks, then I could see your point about political correctness, but not when he blatantly went out to make a comment such as that.

 

[JKey2003]

What Don Imus Said ...

Just so everyone knows exactly what he said and how he said it.

This does seem to be an issue of freedom of speech to most people. One has to question, though, if maybe his speech is not free because his sponsors pay money based on what he says. He is a radio host, so what he SAYS is everything about his career. Since Imus has made the comment, sponsors have pulled their money and endorsments so they don't get dragged down with Imus by sticking with him. He has the freedom of speech when he is not on the air.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Adamis / Kal @ Apr 13 2007, 04:32 AM) [snapback]158810[/snapback]</div>

I don't really know much about this but I know a little. It seems to me to be a bit of a double standard. I mean black rappers go around people ho's and the N word and get away with it because "its artistic expression". Well is what this guy did kind of also "artistic expression"?

I personnally find it very stupid that everyone these days think that racism can only ever be commited by "white people" on other races simply because it was by far the most common form of racism in the past. Is that not racism in itself? Assuming that only one race can ever commit racism?[/b]

Well first of all, every race is capable of racism. But I think in this sensitive world of politically correctness, the word racism has been watered down. Racists are the guys who would rather kill a black man than see him succeed in society (KKK). There was true racism back in the 60's and before then. There is still true racism today, but it is not as common because it is less accepted by the general public.

As for the assertion about the black rappers ...
Well I will let my bias be known up front, I am a rap listener and rap enthusiast. I love rap.
That said: Rappers using words like hos and ****** is artistic expression. They are creating music (tho some disagree that it's music) and the bottom line is we do not censor music. Except where???

ON THE RADIO ... where Imus made his stupid remark. We cannot equate it when a young black man says "Y'all some nappy headed hos" and when an old white man with a cowboy hat says it. There is a big difference!

Since we are on the topic or HIP-HOP/RAP, I beleive rap music has done more to bring the young whites and blacks together. It has spurred many conversations about race in general and that is what the race relations in America needs, dialogue. Rap has brought the young white people into the black culture and with that new perspective comes new understanding. This is why I said earlier that racism is genarally less accepted today by the public. Times are changing and when I become an old man, I bet I wil be able to say 'nappy headed hos' on the radio .... BUT NOT YET IMUS!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adroit @ Apr 13 2007, 12:39 PM) [snapback]158817[/snapback]</div>

Uhh... he is NOT a victim. And I don't know how the hell him being fired for his obviously inappropriate behavior is a politically correct movement. He wasn't being politically incorrect, he was being racist. If he just called those girls blacks, then I could see your point about political correctness, but not when he blatantly went out to make a comment such as that.[/b]

Well I don't know if what he says was RACIST, again I feel that word has been watered down in todays society because we no longer see true acts of racism. But they were definatly racially insensitive. Is Imus a racist? I dunno for sure, but I don't think these are the first racially insensitive remarks he has made on air. Do I feel sorry for Imus losing his job?

NO

 

[Brandon Rhea]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 12:48 PM) [snapback]158820[/snapback]</div>

This does seem to be an issue of freedom of speech to most people.[/b]

Which is rediculous. You can't pull out the freedom of speech card when you make blatantly racist comments. And I completely agree with Kurt: he wasn't being politically incorrect, he was being racist. There is a HUGE difference between the two. Now, he might not actually be a racist, but he made a racist remark and that had to come from somewhere. Calling a team of black girls "nappy headed hoes" is not a spur of the moment thing. It has to come from somewhere.

What Imus said was just plain stupid. He said "nappy-headed" as if having nappy hair was some sort of a curse or something. This only furthers the fact that being black makes you demonized in the United States with many people. Not only did he just say that they were "nappy headed hoes", but he then went on to say that "the [white] girls from Tennessee, they all look cute?" WTF? I doubt every single black girl on that team were ugly. THAT is not political incorrectness. THAT is racism.

Now, not only did he use "nappy headed" as if it were a curse, but he also called them hoes. By calling them hoes, these NORMAL WOMEN have been demeaned and reduced to objects of sexuality for exploitation, as that is what a hoe is. This also goes back to enslavement. So, with the hoe remark, he's not JUST insulting black women, but he is insulting ALL women, the female body and every culture on Earth.

 

[Ser Yorick]

This debate is a joke, IMO, it has nothing to do with political correctness. This is about one idiot saying something that made him unpopular (for obvious reasons), and his audience, nor his sponser liking what was said. He was fired for that reason.

And no, I don't think we should be on the radio in a few decades screaming about nappie-headed hoes or whatever. It's racist, and stupid. I don't like rap either, with other idiots yelling to a tune about fucking up them bitches, etc. It's not artistic expression, it's sexist bullshit, and most of these punks believe the shit they're spewing out over the radio. It's not "cool" to be saying these things, it's not "expression", it's idiocy.

And BTW, when you say that racism is less accepted today by the public, it's because we DON'T LIKE RACISM. IT'S WRONG.

There is a difference between freedom of speech and being oppinionated, and spewing out hate. Even it's it made out to be a joke.

 

[Brandon Rhea]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 12:52 PM) [snapback]158820[/snapback]</div>

I dunno for sure, but I don't think these are the first racially insensitive remarks he has made on air.[/b]

They're not. He's said remarks such as these against Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Asians, etc. for years.

 

[JKey2003]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Consort @ Apr 13 2007, 12:57 PM) [snapback]158822[/snapback]</div>

Now, not only did he use "nappy headed" as if it were a curse, but he also called them hoes. By calling them hoes, these NORMAL WOMEN have been demeaned and reduced to objects of sexuality for exploitation, as that is what a hoe is.[/b]

lol ... no that's what a ho is ... a hoe is a gardening tool



But seriously ... I agree that it was not just Politically Correct, it was a racist comment ... I was weary of saying it was racist b/c I didn't want to look like I called Imus a racist, because, as I said I dunno if he is a racist.

 

[Ser Yorick]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 12:52 PM) [snapback]158820[/snapback]</div>

Well I don't know if what he says was RACIST, again I feel that word has been watered down in todays society because we no longer see true acts of racism. But they were definatly racially insensitive. Is Imus a racist? I dunno for sure, but I don't think these are the first racially insensitive remarks he has made on air. Do I feel sorry for Imus losing his job?

NO[/b]

WHAT!? We don't see true acts of racism any more? Are you blind? Racism is found everywhere, it's STILL everywhere. Just because you don't see it every day of your life, doesn't mean it's not still going on. And yeah, what he said WAS racist. He used that phrase to purposefully degrade those girls, then he went and complimented the others. What do you think that is? Him speaking truthfully about how ugly the black girls are?

 

[JKey2003]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adroit @ Apr 13 2007, 12:58 PM) [snapback]158823[/snapback]</div>

And no, I don't think we should be on the radio in a few decades screaming about nappie-headed hoes or whatever. It's racist, and stupid. I don't like rap either, with other idiots yelling to a tune about fucking up them bitches, etc. It's not artistic expression, it's sexist bullshit, and most of these punks believe the shit they're spewing out over the radio. It's not "cool" to be saying these things, it's not "expression", it's idiocy.[/b]

You have a very limited understanding of Rap music Kurt ... if you ever have an inclination to be schooled ... just let me know. It is not idiocy .. and BTW those idiots are far richer than you. Not all rap is sexist either ... nor is all rap racist.

It is artistic expression people! They are musicians!

 

[Brandon Rhea]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 01:01 PM) [snapback]158825[/snapback]</div>

lol ... no that's what a ho is ... a hoe is a gardening tool[/b]

The spellings are used interchangebly.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]158827[/snapback]</div>

It is artistic expression people! They are musicians![/b]

So that gives black artistic musicians to use the words that they are now blasting Imus for using? If we want to get rid of racism then we need to get rid of the double standard. That means either EVERYONE stops using these words, or we need to let EVERYONE use these words.

 

[Ser Yorick]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 01:06 PM) [snapback]158827[/snapback]</div>

You have a very limited understanding of Rap music Kurt ... if you ever have an inclination to be schooled ... just let me know. It is not idiocy .. and BTW those idiots are far richer than you. Not all rap is sexist either ... nor is all rap racist.

It is artistic expression people! They are musicians![/b]

You're not getting my point. And it doesn't matter if they're richer than me. Drug dealers have more money than me, and I don't run around wanting to be just like them, and saying they're intelligent, decent people.

 

[JKey2003]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Consort @ Apr 13 2007, 01:08 PM) [snapback]158828[/snapback]</div>

The spellings are used interchangebly.
So that gives black artistic musicians to use the words that they are now blasting Imus for using? If we want to get rid of racism then we need to get rid of the double standard. That means either EVERYONE stops using these words, or we need to let EVERYONE use these words.[/b]

OK ... but NO!

We cant use those words ... thats just how it is. It's not a double standard either. Imus can't say nappy headed hos b/c his audience doesn't like it. Right? You said that ...

Well rappers can say nappy headed hos because their audience does like it. I like it! Why does Rap music have to uplift women, how come rap music is not allowed to degraded women along with everything else degraded by rap music, like MEN?

As Ludacris said: "I degrade my damn self on my records ... not just women."

 

[Ser Yorick]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 01:14 PM) [snapback]158830[/snapback]</div>

OK ... but NO!

We cant use those words ... thats just how it is. It's not a double standard either. Imus can't say nappy headed hos b/c his audience doesn't like it. Right? You said that ...

Well rappers can say nappy headed hos because their audience does like it. I like it! Why does Rap music have to uplift women, how come rap music is not allowed to degraded women along with everything else degraded by rap music, like MEN?

As Ludacris said: "I degrade my damn self on my records ... not just women."[/b]

So wait, you're saying that if we all embrace racism, and all start calling each other racist terms, and like it, everything will be OK? I should go down the street right now and start making fun of the Portugese people? And have them start throwing stereotypes at me, like I can't jump, can't dance, and will grow up to be a fat police officer drinking coffee and doughnuts? And all the people I'll be arresting are black "******" that will run away without a shirt on, and spit in my face once I catch them?

I got an idea, let's all go embrace our stereotypes. I need to go find a white hoodie... >.<

 

[Brandon Rhea]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Feris Kai @ Apr 13 2007, 01:14 PM) [snapback]158830[/snapback]</div>

Well rappers can say nappy headed hos because their audience does like it.[/b]

Okay, I'm going to make a show then. In this show, I will kill people FOR REAL. I will then show it in prison to all of the convicted murderers that have no remorse and would love to kill again. My audience would like it, therefore I can kill people.

I'll be K-Mart. Bbl with my gun.

 

[Ser Yorick]

Soon, after we embrace racism, let's take away women's right to vote. Us men will like that, so it doesn't matter. We'll have slaves again too. Black girls we can fuck all day long, and not feed. It's perfect.

I see a world of harmony coming up just over that hill over there.

 

[JKey2003]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(adroit @ Apr 13 2007, 01:19 PM) [snapback]158832[/snapback]</div>

So wait, you're saying that if we all embrace racism, and all start calling each other racist terms, and like it, everything will be OK? I should go down the street right now and start making fun of the Portugese people? And have them start throwing stereotypes at me, like I can't jump, can't dance, and will grow up to be a fat police officer drinking coffee and doughnuts? And all the people I'll be arresting are black "******" that will run away without a shirt on, and spit in my face once I catch them?

I got an idea, let's all go embrace our stereotypes. I need to go find a white hoodie... >.<[/b]

HAHA .. that made me laugh. How is it racist for a black rapper to call a group of black girls nappy headed hos?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Consort @ Apr 13 2007, 01:20 PM) [snapback]158833[/snapback]</div>

Okay, I'm going to make a show then. In this show, I will kill people FOR REAL. I will then show it in prison to all of the convicted murderers that have no remorse and would love to kill again. My audience would like it, therefore I can kill people.

I'll be K-Mart. Bbl with my gun.[/b]

Ok that's ridiculous. Killing people is against the law.