Introduction
Radio shock jock Don Imus was fired after making a racially offensive remark about the Rutgers University women's basketball team, setting off a nationwide discussion of what is appropriate language on the public airwaves.
|
When Don Imus labeled the Rutgers University women's basketball team “nappy-headed hos” in April, it first looked to be just one more insult hurled in his long career. Imus was penalized initially with a two-week suspension. But when the incident appeared on the Internet site youtube.com, organizations ranging from the National Association of Black Journalists to the liberal media watchdog group Media Matters for America urged a tougher stance against racial stereotyping on public airwaves. Advertisers began pulling their sponsorship from Imus' show, and both networks that carried it — CBS Radio and MSNBC TV — fired him. The outcome was hailed by some as a long-needed response to an increasingly uncivil culture in which shock jocks, comedians, rappers and other media figures traffic in name-calling, racism and misogyny. However, other analysts say silencing Imus was unfair and could begin a purge of outspoken conservative radio hosts, including political commentators like Rush Limbaugh.
|
|
|
 |
Aug. 13, 2021 |
Hate Crimes |
 |
Feb. 12, 2021 |
Slavery's Legacy |
 |
May 12, 2017 |
Anti-Semitism |
 |
Mar. 17, 2017 |
‘Alt-Right’ Movement |
 |
Sep. 18, 2015 |
Far-Right Extremism |
 |
Nov. 22, 2013 |
Racial Profiling |
 |
May 08, 2009 |
Hate Groups |
 |
Jun. 01, 2007 |
Shock Jocks  |
 |
Jan. 07, 1994 |
Racial Tensions in Schools |
 |
Jan. 08, 1993 |
Hate Crimes |
 |
May 12, 1989 |
The Growing Danger of Hate Groups |
 |
Nov. 05, 1969 |
American History: Reappraisal and Revision |
 |
Mar. 31, 1965 |
Extremist Movements in Race and Politics |
 |
May 13, 1964 |
Racism in America |
 |
Dec. 03, 1958 |
Spread of Terrorism and Hatemongering |
 |
Jul. 10, 1946 |
Ku Klux Klan |
 |
Jan. 09, 1945 |
Race Equality |
 |
Dec. 19, 1933 |
Lynching and Kidnapping |
| | |
|