An Imus Thought

OK, so Don Imus is a jerk, and he's always been a jerk.

But beyond the fact that "nappy headed hos" is (1) racist; (2) sexist; and (3) just all-around, generally offensive . . . is the fact that Imus was kicking these ladies while they were down. The statements were made after the Rutgers womens basketball team had lost the National Championship game . . . to a much higher rated and much more storied program. Imus's comment essentially says, The order of the Universe is just. It's fair that these "nappy headed hos" [sic] get beat, because they don't deserve to play at that level, anyway. Like Gwen Ifill, they are the cleaning ladies. (Btw, I didn't know he had said this 'til today. Why does this man have a broadcast job? Jeebus.)

Imus, like many in the media elite, has lost the ability to see things from the underdogs' perspective. The Rutgers women, most African Americans, a lot of others . . . we'd like to think that we had a friend on the air. But no . . . instead . . . kick 'em when they're down.