Why was Imus reference to the women of Rutgers a big deal?

Question

He was not really implying that they had s*x for money or even were trampy. He was basically saying they were, ugly, tough broads as opposed to the women of Tennessee (predominatly black by the way as well) who were pretty. I don't think he should have apologized. They were in the public eye being they were nationally televised, and were not these poor defenseless creatures they were made out to be. I know this question seems old but I thought we could have a better dialogue now that emotions have died down

Answer 1

Imus' reference to the Rutgers' women's basketball team as 'nappy headed hoes' was a big deal because of his complete disregard for their emotions and the racism intertwined in his comment. He thought it was funny consider these women ugly and unkempt. I don't think the women of Tennessee's team look any better than that of Rutgers' team. If recklessness such as that is allowed to go unchecked then who knows what other hurtful comments will be 'accepted' by our ever-changing culture?

And answers such as 'Tha tru hustla' are truly pointless, likewise is his name. lona d hit the nail right on the head.

Answer 2

Would you want him to say that to your sister or your mom?

Answer 3

While it should never happen period, if its okay for someone to sing a song called superman that hoe it should have been okay for Imus to say what he said. I think nobody should dish out what they can't take.  I'm a black women and I don't think he should have said it however at the same time if others can sing songs about it then he should not have been fired. However, lets keep it real - he meant in a negative way just as the others (black white purple green, yellow & etc) who use such verbage do, don't sugar coat it

Answer 4

You're an idiot if you don't know why an old white guy using the media to call black girls "nappy headed hoes" is a big deal.

Answer 5

I think it only became a big deal because people made it a big deal because he was white. Had a black person said it, it would not have been such an issue. God forbid a white person says something like that. Its like the N word, not ok for any one to say it, but Black people say it all the time. It should be that no one says it.

Answer 6

What happened to Imus is that he's been watched over like Stern for many years (for being a shock jocks before Stern was). But also in the past few years, people have gotten more sensitive to name calling with the NAACP being a giant watchdog for anything offensive to African Americans.

I think it was in the context he said it by joking about them that way that got his butt in the jam as technically he was describing them and they didn't do anything to deserve the description unlike Monica, who basically admitted to doing the deed so that's why she was dragged and no one cared (also media was able to break boundaries in the 1990s under the Clinton watch, that basically have shuttered under Bush)

NAACP has started to win over influence in major market America... and when they can claim say a million people will stop using your product and the product of your advertisers...that's when it hit hard (as the advertisers left first thing once it hit the news media about the comment) and why MSNBC and radio distanced themselves until the firestorm bled down.

Words and name calling happen all the time in our society, and if you dress outside of norms expect derogatory remarks such as this, I'm sorry but people have a right under the 1st to voice their opinion and that's what Imus did.... I was expecting a month suspension for him at most ....was surprised when they canned him... But Political Correctness rules now a days.

and NAACP insures of that for African Americans

Answer 7

it WAS a big deal

it STILL is a big deal 2 me

it was hurtful and he should be fined

Answer 8

they hit him because he is not black.This is common language for blacks.A black leader said this on t.v.