Getting Along

It seems that the incident with Don Imus has raised such a furor with people that once again, issues of race and race relations are coming into question. People all over are chiming in regarding the incident in which radio 'shock jock' Don Imus made racial remarks regarding the Rutgers Women's Basketball team. Although Imus has issued apologies and has been attempting to make amends, he is still in a very bad way. His show which was simulcast on MSNBC in the mornings has been cancelled; numerous sponsors have been withdrawing support; many of his celebrity and political guests have been rescinding their pledges to be on the show, simply because they don't want to be associated with such racial remarks. Still there are others out there who seem to think that there's no big deal regarding what Imus said. The argument being that people use such racial epithets against one's own race all the time, so when someone outside that race uses the word or words, why is it treated like a big deal? Is it a double standard? Certainly it is, but it doesn't make what Imus did right.

People in positions like Imus, Howard Stern and the former Greaseman (who was also kicked off the air for such remarks) often make their name based on the more outlandish and controversial views or remarks they make. It's true that the reason they are put on the air is because they stir up controversy and make such remarks. At the outset, Howard Stern was pulling in as many detractors as fans simply because everyone wanted to hear what next bit of trash was going to be coming out of his mouth. It was a draw and many people, whether good or bad, seem to get a rise out of it. Whether it solidifies their feelings on the subject one way or another is up to them to decide, but it's not helping relations in this country.

Still, for many of us out there, it seems that it isn't a big deal unless that commentary or racism is directed towards us. For example, take a look at what happened in England on the show "Big Brother". According to those who watched the show, disparaging and racist remarks were made against Indian celebrity Shilpa Shetty who was suddenly transformed from a third tier actress to a martyr in the fight for an end to Indian racism in England. Everyone from the Home Minister to the Prime Minister were issuing statements to the effect that the racist remarks made by other members of the cast on the show were not a reflection of the population as a whole. There's an old saying, that just because someone calls you something, doesn't make it true. Well, along similar lines, just because someone issues a blanket statement like that, doesn't make it true either.

Like it or not, there is still a lot of deep-seated racism from all sides in this country. Part of it is a product of our background and where we've grown up and the environment in which you were raised. I grew up with friends from all races and I was lucky enough to have parents who encouraged us to have friends who liked us for who we are and not what we owned, where we lived or what we did. I grew up gaining an appreciation of the contributions of various people to this country and it made me understand that working together we can accomplish more than if we constantly divide ourselves. Perhaps that view is through rose-tinted glasses making the whole world appear happy but it's the truth.

Don Imus' actions shouldn't be condoned. Is he being made an example of? You bet he is. Is that a bad thing? Well, it's bad for Imus but it isn't a bad thing for the rest of us. Don Imus' job as a 'shock jock' was to say things that were controversial and on the edge but for him to make remarks at the expense of others isn't right. It projects an air of superiority that isn't deserved, it's earned. Imus has done a lot to help raise money during fund raisers and has been close enough with many famous people for them to come on his show and give out personal tidbits on their lives. That may be the downside to his being taken off the air, but the good thing is that it is sending a message that everyone needs to be careful in what they say. In the long run it will be better to get along rather than divide people.