I’ve interviewed tons of people over the years, many of them CEOs, and almost everyone has a story to tell about that major career blunder, the one that almost derailed their careers.
But there are some mistakes people make that are just too big.
Radio host Don Imus described a Rutger’s women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos.” Yes, I’m not kidding folks.
Rev. Al Sharpton, as expected, has called for Imus to be fired. Imus has been running around saying how sorry he is and how he definitely went too far.
Did he go way to far? Should he get the axe?
(update:
NBC cancelled Imus’s radio show silmulcast on MSNBC.)
OK, so the guy’s suspended. But should be defending the right of idiots to say stupid things? Maybe. I don’t know. Maybe we’re all too sensitive to the words…but the deeds man, the deeds. People are still struggling. People are still suffering. Is it because men like Imus are ignorant? I don’t know.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Oh where to begin? Imus: a stupid comment in a career of mean, holier-than-thou comments. The networks: cowards who probably have frostbite on their fingers after holding them in the wind to see how the controversy would evolve. Any coincidence MSNBC got indignant after advertisers jumped ship? Talking head commentators: covered in cobwebs after tumbling out of the woodwork to chime in their collective 2 cents. Sorry, I know the words were hurful, but I can’t help the feeling that there’s a lot of people looking to make political capital. Also, a lot of focus is on the racial aspect, but shouldn’t all women be offended? Finally, the Rutgers team: sympathy, because what should have been a great moment in their lives has been tarnished forever.
April 11th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
if he would have made that comment about Condelisa Rice what would have been the outcome? Why pick on some unknown girls? some people need to not be in public. Imus is one of those people
April 12th, 2007 at 7:39 am
Being a journalist I don’t like anyone being censored. I don’t like what he said, and yes, it offends me as a woman. But words are words. There are so many people out there whose deeds have hurt this country, the world, badly, but they get little outrage. Say something that offends, and your head gets cut off. Marie Antionette wouldn’t have lost her head in today’s speech-adverse environment.
April 12th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Everyone has the right to free speech; Imus exercised his right. Everyone also has to face the consequence of what they say. In all probablity Imus will follow Stern to satellite radio, where he and his cronies will, I’m sure, find a loving audience.
April 12th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
you’re right…everyone has to face the consequences..
something few of us want to face today.
April 12th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
You’re absolutely right, tho I’m still hesitant to cast Imus as a martyr for free speech. In many respects I think his fate is a result of timing/happenstance nearly as much as what he said. It hit the cultural zeitgeist at the right time. Also, he occupies a gray zone of humor/entertainment and news/commentary. A comic in a nightclub may have gotten away with it - not a guy on a morning radio news/talk show.