Tuesday, April 10, 2007

F*ck Don Imus

I walked into my labor history class late today, in the midst of a discussion on Don Imus. My professor said, "Ms. elle, please join us. Do you have any comments?"

"Not any that should be spoken in a classroom," I answered (in fact, my whole commentary at that point consisted of the title of this post). He laughed and assured me that whatever I wanted to say would be okay. All semester, we've joked that a camera was hidden somewhere, documenting for posterity (and eventual trials) our way-left-of-center commentary and reviews. Today, my professor said, the camera was off.

I really didn't have much to say. I'm sick of the "If rappers do it, why is it wrong for poor Imus?" And I feel badly for anyone who was shocked by this--naive, naive souls. But mostly, I am tired. As Deborah Gray-White says, it's too heavy a load--this burden black women bear of having to constantly defend ourselves against racism and sexism. I wanted to ask, "Where the hell did that even come from?" but that would imply that there was some logic, some reason behind Don Imus and people of his ilk.

And there's just not.

Some better analyses:
Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson speak for black women?

Four Questions

“Nappy Headed Hos”

Dear MSNBC: It's time to FIRE Don Imus.

Two Weeks Ain’t Enough! and Imus Updates and Commentary

3 comments:

Gwyneth Bolton said...

My sentiments exactly, Elle. Fuck Imus is about the only thing I can be bothered to say. I started to write a blog post about the crazy fact that somehow the last two times old, ugly, racist white men decided to voice their racism (Kramer and Imus) we somehow all end up having an "is hip-hop to blame discussion." Now I am the first to say we need to continue to offer balanced critiques hip-hop culture. But blaming hip-hop for old, ugly, racist white men being old, ugly, racist white men? Come on!

Gwyneth

Anonymous said...

What I want to know is how hip-hop has anything to do with the hard working women who attend an academically challenging university and represented that school in a championship basketball game. How is hip-hop and its positive or negative influence even relevant. Imus wasn't watching a rap video, he was watching a basketball game.

He disgusts me, and so do those who try to somehow justify his actions.

Evanne Lorraine said...

Amen sister!

Revelations and ruminations from one southern sistorian...