Do As I Say (But Don't Say What I Say)

Don Imus got into trouble for calling the Rutger's female basketball team, "Nappy-headed Hos." MSNBC first suspended, then cancelled the simulcast of his radio show; then CBS cancelled his radio show essentially firing him. Many pointed out that, as a "shock jock," Imus had said just as bad, if not worse things, plenty of times before. That, and the presence of worse language in rap and hip-hop music, begged the questions, "Why now?" and "Why him?"

What most seem to find offensive was calling women, especially such apparently erudite young college women, "hos." This is a term used by black men in songs for years. But this term seems to be the less offensive one, believe it or not. A coworker told me that it was the term "nappy-headed" that was the rascist one, and the more offensive one, since women are all referred to as hos. Apparently, nappy-headed is uniquely referring to the tangled hair of blacks, and is rascist when used by someone of a different race, especially if they're white. Even the Rev. Al Sharpton, when interviewing Imus on his radio show, indicated that that was the offensive part.

Why calling women "hos" is not as offensive as referring to their hair as being unkempt is something that needs explanation. No one has offered any explanation on any of the news shows I have seen.

Another point also made that needs "some 'splainin'" is the attitude that says, "We can use these terms, but don't you ever use them." In other words, "Our words don't sound as bad when said by us, but they're the worst form of rascism when said by you." This double-standard makes any communication between parties difficult at best. It says that language all should find offensive, i.e. profanity, is perfectly OK when tweaked slightly, and used by a perceived minority. Whores becomes hos, negro (from the Spanish word for black) is offensive (as is its derivative "nigger"), but "nigga," an even more obvious derivative of the former, is perfectly fine. The offensive term "negro" seems to be fine when used in the "United Negro College Fund," as is the term "Colored People" when a part of the NAACP. (Why the Spanish derived negro is offensive, but the English translation black is not, is another question.)

As mentioned earlier, these terms are widely used in rap, hip-hop, and stand-up comedy. Where would Chris Rock be is such terminolgy were barred from use? They demand "freedom of speech" and "expression" on the one hand to sell music CD's and concert tickets where this language is prominent, but then complain if their "white" fans or "white" culture accepts it enough to actually start using it themselves. They want to be accepted by the culture at large, but also want to remain separate and unique. IN other words, they want to "have their cake and eat it too." They, in essense, want to be accepted as a unique American subculture that also is seen as somewhat of a pariah as well. This is too confusing for most people who end up doing there level best to just ignore it altogether.

Don Imus ended up losing his show on MSNBC and CBS. Who wants to bet he won't join Howard Stern, another fabled shock-jock, on Sirius satellite radio? There he can feel free to say this, and worse....

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Matthew 12:36-37 (KJV)