The overdue Imus post.

Ok friends, Ive been a little lax on this topic, leaning on my other blog friends to express my disgust. Now usually I try not to get into serious issues on my blog. Not because I dont enjoy a good dialogue about serious issues or because im uninvolved, but only because I specifially designed my blog to be just a place for friends to come and laugh and maybe feel a little better about their day. But to let you know, Ive pontificated on this issue a lot in real time, screamed at the talking heads in the news who defend this individual and wrote my appropriate emails of protest to both msnbc and cbs. However, while going through my bloglist today catching up on you folks, I came across the most thought provoking and well-written post by the bloggoddess Trixie that made me want to stand up and shout HELL YEAH. As I was responding to her post and subsequent commentors on her post, I realized that probably offering a three paragraph comment in her post might indicate that I should finally address this. But I encourage you to go read her post because she covers things that I absolutely cannot say better and will not try.

I want to go on record saying that Im extremely glad Don Imus got fired. I do not believe his firing was any harsher than the very personal unprovoked attack he directed at those young women. I could care less if it was a financial decision or a moral decision. The point is, he is no longer getting paid to spew unprovoked hate and ignorance.

As for the black community being hypocritical about rappers and such, Im not sure where that comes from. Those who've actually followed the dialogue in this area when it didnt affect the dominant paradigm already know that leaders of the community HAVE attacked this type of language. There is no double standard in that comparison. The difference is that rappers have financial backing from those who embrace hate language. Don Imus no longer has that backing.

People should be allowed to make mistakes yes. But what would the mistake here be? That Imus misjudged the impact of his hate words? That his opinion is wrong? I think the mistake here is that his entire thought process is based on ignorance, fear and hate. And I have no problem forgiving him this mistake as long as he continues on the path of learning and makes it right. However, actions have consequences. And when enough people who've ignored you for years become aware that the "high minded political discussion facilitator" persona youve been trying to develop allows the inner racist and misogynist bully through and directly hurting completely innocent people, there are going to be consequences. Bear in mind, this was not a general slur. This was specifically directed at ten people who were shamelessly attacked for no reason. It was hate. Pure hate. And sorry you made the mistake of showing it, but maybe now you wont be allowed to get paid contributing to a culture of ignorance and malice. Yes, the line should have been drawn years ago with your general hate spewing, and its sad that it took you attacking young role models to stop your vitriolic rancor. But at least it's a start. Quit worrying about the rappers and anyone who listens to them. It only shows your ignorance further that you are unaware of how we as a society are trying to deal with self denigration in a cycle of oppression.

But all told, I want to thank Don Imus, because he is bringing to light how much our culture accepts this as ok and gave those unaware an opportunity to take a good hard honest look at the continued underlying racism and sexism that has been accepted in our society for far too long as ignorant middle class white people talk about how our culture is not that racist anymore. Oh and also, Don? your wife is too damn good for you. You should be kissing her feet that she is even willing to deal with you at all after the sickness youve spewed.

Ok thats all the pontification you will get from me today.