The epithet heard 'round the world has felled a radio icon, evaporated almost $25 million in revenue and rattled at least one major stock. The recent comment by radio talk show host Don Imus has also touched off a national discussion that appears to be about race and gender. However, I submit that the conversation is more about the regulation of filth and maintaining our values. Americans are really asking themselves, "What kind of values in thought and communication do we want to create for our community and our nation?"
Americans have come a long way in terms of navigating issues of race, gender, sexual orientation and religion. When it comes down to it, we all know the unwritten rules. Don Imus just didn't care about the rules. Neither did Tim Hardaway, Michael Richard or Isaiah Washington. As a result, each one of these public figures will rightfully pay a steep price with their wallets and careers. Working class Americans lose jobs over these kinds of infractions - so should celebrities. The rules on race, gender, etcetera are pretty clear. However, what is less transparent is how do we allow people to exercise their constitutional guarantees without the rest of us drowning in a tidal wave of verbal sewage?
Freedom of speech is a concept that should serve the American people, not make us victims in our own society. The same freedom that allows an Air Force veteran like me to criticize the war in Iraq is also the same freedom that allows Ann Coulter to make heartless, disgusting jokes about genocide in Darfur. When our constitutional freedoms become so double-edged that they begin to cut and bleed the very people they were designed to protect, it's time to begin a discussion of how to bring them back to a place our founding fathers would recognize and appreciate.
Think about it - as Americans, we have a very similar problem in our economy. How do we allow capitalism to create incredible value and build the largest, most diverse middle class in the world without opening the door to identity thieves who are intent on penetrating the very concepts that make our financial systems successful? Creating value in our economy while closing the vulnerabilities is just as difficult as maintaining freedom of speech for journalists while refusing to allow shock jocks to poison our airwaves and the minds and souls of our children.
In the case of Imus, he not only attempted to poison the minds of our kids, he also assaulted their dignity and self esteem. Was he successful? Ask yourself this question: How many thousands of young people of all races across America will find a way to include the phrase "nappy-headed ho" in their playful banter this week? Here's another question: Will the women of Rutgers ever forget the insult that overshadowed reaching the pinnacle of college sports? When JFK quipped, "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country", legions of Americans became more civic-minded, more cohesive and healthier. Radio jocks, comedians and music artists that specialize in shock only serve to deaden us spiritually, make us more divided along racial and gender lines and make us sicker in our souls. Most of us want something better.
So now that Imus has been shown the door, how do we go about making America a healthier place to live? I think its time to examine what went right in the Imus saga. When the people who finance and manage Imus realized the outrage was not just coming from activists Sharpton and Jackson, but from an entire nation of whites, blacks, men, women, executives and laborers, they were compelled to act. They dusted off their Code of Ethics pamphlets (you know, the ones that get passed out at employee orientation) enforced their company policies and withdrew their support. Media giants MSNBC, CBS and a virtual "Who's Who" of Fortune 500 advertisers hastily gathered in their respective conference rooms and decided their good names and nickels would no longer be associated with someone with a track record like Don Imus, regardless of iconic stature.
The financial fallout surrounding Imus has sent a message to everyone who makes their living peddling filth. There is an incredible and enduring price to pay for tearing down our pillars of decency. As a society, we need to replicate these consequences across more industries if we want to live in a healthier society. The music industry would be a deserving target. It is no longer acceptable to just be responsible for what we say as individuals. We have to step up to the plate and start being responsible for those who have no sense of responsibility. I know, I know - so where do you draw the line, you ask. Who do we regulate next? Is it a tough challenge - yes. Is it worth doing in the most extreme cases - you bet! The alternative is to bring an unrepentant Imus back. Worse, we could ignore the issue and in doing so, empower the next generation of filth jockeys who will manage to reach even deeper and more sensitive places in our lives, all the while realizing we are powerless or unwilling to do anything about it.
» left by Jean from Texas (1 year 270 days ago.)
Joseph,
Thank you so much for shifting the perspective of this discussion! As a parent of teenagers, I find it a constant battle to combat the stream of gutter speech they are surrounded with in music, television, the internet, and movies. For their generation, the media seems to be saying that nothing is off limits. Striking a balance with raising them as aware, thoughtful, engaged people and yet still filtering it all in a responsible way is the greatest challenge my husband and I face. In our household we live by the creedo that "words mean things" and when something is spoken, accountability is required. Maybe Imus' mom and dad should have told him the same thing. I sincerely hope we begin to see more of a shift back toward civility in speech. Respond to this comment
» left by Joseph Collins(402) Joseph Collins (1 year 268 days ago.)
Jean, thanks for commenting! I too believe that words carry a great deal of meaning. Whether we are talking about talk radio, music, comedy or a group of friends or colleagues, we all need to be more thoughtful about what we allow into our minds. However, there seems to be an insatiable appetite in our society for humor and entertainment that is ever more cutting, crass and shocking. Hopefully, our network execs have had a wakeup call this week and start making changes. We can only hope! Respond to this comment
» left by David Tanguay (1 year 270 days ago.)
Mr. Collins, you served in the military and so did I. I served under some very good leaders only I wouldn’t follow orders from an incompetent leader. Your article struck a chord in my soul I want to do something constructive for my fellow man. Your article inspired me to want to act, I know I can’t ask you to advise me on what I should do, it must come from me. However a word of gratitude for showing me there are still men like you with integrity, in this world to give and enlighten and most importantly to strengthen. Thank you
» left by Joseph Collins(402) Joseph Collins (1 year 268 days ago.)
David, thanks for your kind words! One of the things that I have asked God is to allow me to glorify Him through my writing. Too many times, we use our craft to promote ourselves and get stuff off of our chests. However, knowing that you were inspired by something I wrote means that the words were not mine but from a higher source. I agree the right thing for you to do will come from within and when you discover it - you will be a powerful force for change! Pray and then just listen! Respond to this comment
» left by Avis Ward(11,479) Avis Ward (1 year 269 days ago.)
Joseph, excellent article, as usual. Sadly, I feel this last act of Imus was simply the straw that broke the camel's back but not for the correct reasons. I've stated elsewhere during a comment, I feel his producers and advertisers are delighted he was the cause of his own iconic demise. What happens from here to correct the filth that is seen and heard by our children remains to be seen. Without cynicism or lack of optimism, sadly, I believe things will continue as usual. Where are our role models? Who are they? "Jean" (first comment) and her husband apparently are but they're not parents of all the children. Respond to this comment
» left by Joseph Collins(402) Joseph Collins (1 year 268 days ago.)
Avis, thanks for commenting! As a woman of God, you know that each of us are responsible for those in our world and the others who cross our paths. Every morning, we need to ask God for the strength to change what we can, patience with the things WE can't, and the wisdom to know the difference. Given the momentum that we now have, write an email or letter the next time you see or hear objectionable material. Your words and the Spirit behind them may be just the thing needed! Be blessed! Respond to this comment
» left by Anonymous (1 year 269 days ago.)
Maybe we need to think like Thumper's mom. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. Past generations were taught your rights end when they infringe upon the rights of another. Has free speech gone too far?Imus made a fatal mistake for his career. It is interesting that the industry that spoon feeds us garbage most ot the time selected this instance to become more responsible. I hope it is carried across the board and that Imus was not just a scapegoat sacrificed to appease the masses. Respond to this comment
» left by Joseph Collins(402) Joseph Collins (1 year 268 days ago.)
Thanks for commenting! I don't think we will ever know or understand all of the influences that brought Imus down so quickly. However, I hope that Americans now realize that we really do have choices and can make a difference. We also need to hold Sharpton's feet to the fire. Did he really mean that this is just the beginning? Will he really go beyond Imus and hold the HipHop and video industry accountable? What about Ann Coulter? How about kid's cartoons and all the adult cartoons on TV? Respond to this comment
» left by Len Wirtanen from Middlesex, NJ (1 year 267 days ago.)
I believe Don Imus was wrong. He is paying the price just like I would have to if I made the same remark at my work place. But I have noticed that Mr. Collins has NOT mentioned in his article any reference to the disgusting language and epithets in rap music being diseminated to our young people every day, all day. They denigrate women, use the "N" word, use the "HO" word, encourage violence toward police and other young people. These are as disgusting as Don Imus' statement but no one seems to be trying to get this crap off the air. Mr. Collins, if you find this kind of junk acceptable then you are a hipocrate and are no better than Ann Coulter or Don Imus. Everyone making a statement about Imus needs to take a stand against ALL outlets that preach hate and killing. If that means Rap dies, then so be it. If it means that a comedian like Michael Richards never get an acting job again, then so be it. We must walk that fine line when determining what, who, and when to censor language and actions. We must be careful about our freedoms but, as a wise man once said, you must not be able to yell fire in a crowded theater unless there really is a fire. Respond to this comment
» left by Joseph Collins(402) Joseph Collins (1 year 266 days ago.)
Len, thanks for commenting! It appears you took the time to write an articulate note, but did not spend nearly enough time reading. Did you notice in the last para of my article that I said we should hold the "music industry" responsible? Did you read my response right before your comment in which I mentioned "HipHop"? I agree that HipHop and Rap are among the worst offenders. Did you assume that I would give them a pass because I am African American? Hmmm....
» left by Kay Elizabeth(1,715) Kay Elizabeth (1 year 255 days ago.)
Hi Joseph, thank you for sharing that point of view, it did give me pause for thought indeed. You're right in so many ways in what you say. As a society we need to do something to change before there's no recognizable semblance of " good behavior" in any shape or form left to stand up for. Of course it begins with each of us demonstrating that and instilling those standards in our own children (despite them lamenting that other kids get away with doing this or that!).
I was brought up with simple rules: be polite, be kind, never degrade or be mean to someone, be respectful of your elders... things like that that were the norm and sadly today seem to be the exception. Despite that, I do my best to encourage my son to behave in the same manner as I do. Children today have it even tougher than my generation did I feel to keep a steady course in life.
What to do then? Like Ghandi said " Be the change you wish to see in the world." What I think we need most of all is hope within ourselves that we can make positive change happen in our own quiet way. Through our individual actions, we can demonstrate that there is a more pleasant way to live and look at life than what we see around us at times.
There's so much good out there that doesn't get half the attention of the bad- perhaps we as a society need to have a shift in our perspective too and actively seek that out. Who knows what the answers are...all I know is that apathy will simply deaden our spirit, demotivate us and undermine any sense of connectedness with our fellow man that we have, and that can't be a good thing. Ok, enough rambling from me. :)
Thanks again for a great article, Joseph, one of many. Your writing is always thought provoking. Have a wonderful day! :) Respond to this comment
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