Don Imus totally learned his lesson that first time

June 23rd, 2008 | Posted by PostmanE

Don Imus is getting really consistent with this whole racism thing. It’s like any time anything sports related crosses his desk, he says something vaguely bigoted. The latest comes from Politico, via Chris.

During the show, conversation turned to a story about how suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones now wants to drop his well-known nickname. In the course of the segment, Imus is told that Jones has “been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005.”

Imus asks: “What color is he?”

“He’s African-Ameri10n,” the host is informed by one of his on-air sidekicks.

“Well, there you go,” Imus said. “Now we know.”

I suppose there is some wiggle room for “now we know” — maybe he just really wanted to know what race this delightful-sounding Adam Jones was! — but, actually, no. No there isn’t. Dude’s still a racist, and he still sounds like a train wreck.Three cheers for unlearned lessons!

Kenny the Jet gets it

May 21st, 2007 | Posted by PostmanE

Solid interview up at the Chicago Sports Review today, in which Kenny Smith — the guy sitting next to Charles Barkley during TNT’s NBA broadcasts — talks about all sorts of good stuff, from the Spurs to his youth tournaments.

The real eye-catcher, though, is his take on the Imus situation and the way that has bled into criticism of rap:

I think in our communities and our life, I think there are certain things you accept if you are in certain environments if you are in jail so to speak and certain things you would expect if you are in a boardroom. There is a different acceptance and expectation and there definitely was in his case. I think that’s where it is in the community. Last thing on that, I think in terms of rap music, I look at it as the same way I look at if I have friends who act and play skinheads in movies and things like that. I look at it as an art form. I don’t take them literally. I think rap music has somehow gotten people to believe that everything they say is true when rock music, country music, R&B, no one else believes every lyric except for in rap.

Thank you. That’s sort of what I’ve been trying to say to everyone who has tried to turn the focus onto rap artists for something some old douchebag said. Everything in rap songs isn’t meant to be taken literally. It’s so simple, I’ve been talking my way outside of it for like three weeks now. Thanks Kenny, for laying that out there.

No wonder why TNT’s show is so good — besides being funny, Kenny is smart, too. Charles? Well, at least Charles is funny.

Snoop Dogg ain’t no old-ass white man

April 12th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanE

Despite the best efforts of brave bloggers the world over, Don Imus will STILL not go away.

The discussion has now changed from what should be done with Imus to just how bad the word “ho” is, which something we should probably iron out while we have the chance.

We’ve had all sorts of justifications of the word floating around today. Stuart Scott apparently thinks it’s a term of endearment within the hip hop community, a sentiment which serves to prove nothing except that Scott is really, really, out of touch with hip hop culture. And this is coming from a white dude from Iowa.

Now, we’ve got Snoop, who has taken a break from avoiding prison time and presumably smoking some of the stickiest icky in the world to offer us his opinion of the word “ho.” Yes, it’s a doozy:

“[Rappers] are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. We’re talking about ho’s that’s in the ‘hood that ain’t doing sh–, that’s trying to get a n—a for his money. These are two separate things. First of all, we ain’t no old-ass white men that sit up on MSNBC.”

This is true, Snoop: you ain’t no old-ass white men that sit up on MSNBC. (Technically, neither is Don Imus, since MSNBC is done simulcasting his show now.) To be truthful, I’ve heard this argument about “ho” many times, especially from Tupac, who used to take the brunt of criticism for his oftentimes misogynistic lyrics. His justification was much the same as Snoop’s: if they don’t want to be called ho’s, they shouldn’t act like ho’s.

Sorry, Snoop, sorry Tupac. As much as I love you guys, saying “ho” is probably bad in any context, even if she’s going after your money, which, ladies, ain’t cool, yo. That is, of course, unless you mean “ho” in a friendly way. Right Stuart? Right?!?

Don Imus will not go away

April 9th, 2007 | Posted by PostmanE

Perhaps I’m just sheltered - with me, that’s always a possibility - but I had never really heard of Don Imus until he called the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy headed ho’s” last week. Frankly, I would like to return to that state of bliss.

Instead, I am stuck hearing about this decidely offensive guy everywhere. He’s on ESPN, he’s on blogs (now including, admittedly, this one) and he’s entered the national consciousness the way only a big idiot with a bigger mouth can. It’s unbelievably frustrating; can’t we all just pretend the dude doesn’t exist again?

Anyway, just to punish you, here’s footage of Imus’ apologetic interview with Al Sharpton today. Enjoy, you poor bastards.

Also, this is as good a time as any to address that other controversy. Seriously, Trey Wingo’s sorry, people.