Imus was fired from CBS Radio (earlier than expected) on the heels of MSNBC’s decision to drop him, and the loss of millions in advertising dollars. I can’t say that I will lose any sleep over his termination. But as Tom suggests in his comment below, most of us can’t say those kind of despicable things at our jobs, so why can someone that works on the radio? Imus is now living with the consequences of his actions as each and every person on the planet does everyday. He is no different that the rest of us in that sense. It is what it is. But now what? Do we go back to life as it was until the next time (there will be a next time!)? Or will everyone be happy with silencing one jerk and move on with life? Is there a much bigger picture that we’re all kind of missing?
I added a page to the blog on the right hand sidebar called “What are you going to do?” I want to keep the idea of taking action alive. If you think something is wrong, and not just this Imus thing, tell the the world what it is, and what you’re going to do to change it. It can be something in you, or something in the world. It can be a personal boycott (no more buying 50 Cent CDs because of his lyrics). A personal goal (spend more time with the family). Or maybe you want to start a group that will raise money toward bringing awareness to the crisis in Darfur. Tell us about it, inspire us all to start changing what we don’t like about ourselves and this world through your personal decision to take action. We simply can’t raise complacent kids, so we shouldn’t be complacent ourselves.
You can think I’m corny if you want, but I’m tired of feeling like things are happening to me: I want to make things happen!
I can’t get the link to work. Otherwise, I say, amen. I was prepared for another episode of “send the guy to rehab” then get him meet with whatever group he offended and then life goes on. But maybe, finally, people are getting tired of that one.
Speaking of doing things, can you send me an e-mail? I’ve got something cooking and want to see if you’re interested.
Call urban radio stations like Radio One and request songs without vulgar language or connotations. Request artist like John Major or Rap artist like Common to be played. Request a 80’s rap hour or so at your local radio station where only 80’s rap is played.
Spawn another revival of the Neo-soul rap movement!!!
Email young artist like FANTASIA and inform them that Skanky is not always the way to go!!!
My First Step:
Dear Radio One,
There has been a great argument among bloggers on how blacks should react in light of this recent Imus and Michael Richards fuss. I for one don’t understand what the great fuss is about, considering many of our black rappers have been insulting blacks and black women for years. One blogger asked what I personally would do to help change the tide of negativity within the black community…and my suggestion is:
Positive black music hour!
Schedule a time between 3 to 9 during the weekday or on a weekend where positive rap would be played. That means rap that doesn’t have anything to do with shooting, bangin’, hoes or anything derogatory or overtly derogatory. That may mean a mix of old school rap and unknown rap artist, or maybe even other songs on a famous rappers album that is positive. Its out there, please take the time to play it.
Thank you for your time.
Gyamfua Gyamerah
28 years old
Married
Mother of a 4 year old daughter and 3 month old daughter
Step mother to a 15 year old son
Masters level education
Listener and fan of Radio One
I like the positive Black music hour idea. I also posted ideas on my blog with a link to a petition about negative hip hop. This who thing drew attention to our behaviour so its now our chance to change our image.
Not that I’m uninterested in making the world a better place in other ways but yeah, I am happy silencing one jerk… along one avenue, anyway.
The ripples seem greater than I’d have predicted and I look forward to seeing how far they reach.
Imus is just a drop in the bucket as far as this goes. I think the main group that we should go after that shows the most disrespect for woman is our own young black men and the music industry. I think the main reason alot of white people think they can say the things they say is because they look at how we treat our women. We need to start within before we can get a true stop to the Imus’ of the world or we will be reactive instead or proactive.
a rising mechanism in dealing with radio hate speech is getting the sponsors to pull their ads. there has been some success with this not only with the don imus case but here in the san francisco area in trying to get the morning rightwing shock jocks to moderate their rants. more and more radio programs will have to come into line with everyday workplace ethics and standards. so that’s a good tactic as far as that goes. how to get the hate speech out of popular music is another matter. it has to be made unacceptable somehow, but i don’t know how.
I don’t think it’s corny.
makes perfect sense to me.