In the midst of the upheaval caused by radio personality Don Imus last week when he referred to the Rutgers’ women’s basketball team as “nappy-headed hos,” I saw the African-American community unite around the basketball team, calling for Imus’ immediate termination.
But as I sat back and reflected on the situation, I started to realize that there are deeper issues than Imus calling a group of student-athletes a derogatory name.
As an African-American, I find it fascinating when someone of a different race uses a word or phrase that we deem as offensive and disrespectful. We jump on board with the civil rights activists lobbying for respect and equal opportunity. But as black students, we walk to class meeting-and-greeting each other with some of the most appalling language in society today, and the sad part is we think it’s acceptable.
When I discussed the situation with a close friend of mine, we agreed that although Imus’ comments were ignorant and inconsiderate, his comments served as a mirror to reflect the ignorance that my generation of African-Americans display on a daily basis.
Most of the black students on campus break each other down instead of building up, criticize instead of compliment and ridicule instead of displaying class and respect. So when someone of another race makes inexcusable comments, why are we so angry and unified?
Instead of encouraging the termination of Imus from his talk-radio show, I’m in favor for the termination of the ignorance and foolishness that’s crippling our African-American community.
According to The Daily Targum, Rutgers’ student newspaper, Rutgers Athletic Director Robert E. Mulcahy III called Imus’s remarks “disgusting and reprehensible”.
I agree with Mr. Mulcahy. Imus was out-of-line and inconsiderate, but you won’t find me pointing fingers and playing the “race card” until we increase the peace in our African-American community and treat each other better.
I think it’s unfair and unrealistic to demand respect from people of different races when they see the way we treat each other. Why should they respect us when some of us can’t respect our peers and ourselves?
Rev. Jesse Jackson said that Don Imus’ comments contribute to “a climate of degradation” and we as black people make our own donations to that same climate.
I challenge the African-American community to stop waiting for other people’s ignorance to catapult us into loving and supporting each other and start treating each other better unconditionally.
The women that make up the Rutgers’ women’s basketball team are on the road to obtaining college degrees at one of the more prominent universities in the country, and some will make careers playing professional basketball. They have nothing to be ashamed of.
People who choose to degrade others should be ashamed regardless of race.
Email Michael at theeasttexan.com