2008 Woodie Awards
The 'Don' of a new era?
Don Imus' racial and sexist remarks stir up controversy
Britany Price
Issue date: 4/19/07 Section: News
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Don Imus's remarks hit hard on campus.
Shock jock Imus has been known for his offensive comments on his show since he's been on the air.
His outrageous statements have been the reason for his popularity until his racist remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team on April 11. Imus stated on his show that the Rutgers girls looked "rough," calling them "nappy-headed hos" the day after they lost in the national championship game.
Karima Ummah, Coordinator of International and Multicultural Affairs, Litchfield, ME organized a discussion in the Faculty Lounge on Tuesday to generate thoughts and opinions about the issue.
Ummah said she felt the need to organize the event because she thought it would be a good way to get students to connect and understand the issue.
"I feel that it was unfair, he has said worse things," said Jim Daly, student body president, senior, Hazlet, N.J. "Other people have said worse things. It is all about money and the reason why it is so controversial is because the sponsors are no longer funding the show. That's what it comes down to. It's a free speech issue."
Students, like Bobby Aanonsen, sophomore, Staten Island, N.Y. believe Imus shouldn't have been fired.
"[Don Imus is] very racial and sexist [and he] shouldn't have said it, but I don't think the punishment fits the 'crime,'" said Aanonsen.
During the discussion about Imus and the Rutgers in the Faculty Lounge, opinionated views about the shock jock were prevalent.
"His remarks were extremely insensitive and he should have been fired. He walked a fine line for a long time," said Lisa Cody, graduate student, Stamford.
"Freedom of speech doesn't mean saying derogatory remarks to millions of people about people he doesn't even know."
Imus has been a CBS radio host for almost 30 years, and was fired on last Thursday after MSNBC refused to televise his show, "Imus in the Morning." Aanonsen was glad that Imus was suspended after two weeks but doesn't believe he should have been fired for what he said because it was just one isolated incident.
Shock jock Imus has been known for his offensive comments on his show since he's been on the air.
His outrageous statements have been the reason for his popularity until his racist remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team on April 11. Imus stated on his show that the Rutgers girls looked "rough," calling them "nappy-headed hos" the day after they lost in the national championship game.
Karima Ummah, Coordinator of International and Multicultural Affairs, Litchfield, ME organized a discussion in the Faculty Lounge on Tuesday to generate thoughts and opinions about the issue.
Ummah said she felt the need to organize the event because she thought it would be a good way to get students to connect and understand the issue.
"I feel that it was unfair, he has said worse things," said Jim Daly, student body president, senior, Hazlet, N.J. "Other people have said worse things. It is all about money and the reason why it is so controversial is because the sponsors are no longer funding the show. That's what it comes down to. It's a free speech issue."
Students, like Bobby Aanonsen, sophomore, Staten Island, N.Y. believe Imus shouldn't have been fired.
"[Don Imus is] very racial and sexist [and he] shouldn't have said it, but I don't think the punishment fits the 'crime,'" said Aanonsen.
During the discussion about Imus and the Rutgers in the Faculty Lounge, opinionated views about the shock jock were prevalent.
"His remarks were extremely insensitive and he should have been fired. He walked a fine line for a long time," said Lisa Cody, graduate student, Stamford.
"Freedom of speech doesn't mean saying derogatory remarks to millions of people about people he doesn't even know."
Imus has been a CBS radio host for almost 30 years, and was fired on last Thursday after MSNBC refused to televise his show, "Imus in the Morning." Aanonsen was glad that Imus was suspended after two weeks but doesn't believe he should have been fired for what he said because it was just one isolated incident.
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