Don Imus is Gone.
Imus is finally gone -- finally. No word about his sleazoid sycophant executive producer Bernard McGuirk.
Below, the text of a communication I sent to CBS about noon yesterday, before CBS finally grew some and did the right thing.
CBS's response to the Imus situation was slow and remains unacceptably inadequate. I have absolutely NO intention of watching the CBS network or patronizing any of the network's subsidiaries or major advertisers/sponsors unless and until CBS management does the right thing and fires BOTH Don Imus and Bernard McGuirk for their appallingly racist, sexist remarks. Their conduct is reprehensible and an affront to all people of decency and conscience.
The announced two-week suspension of Imus isn't even a slap on the wrist; it's a vacation. Someone, please explain to me how CBS can pretend to be a responsible corporate citizen and plan to continue to employ people who have a history of polluting the public airwaves with such disgusting speech.
I am a college-educated African-American woman. SURELY, you must have some notion of the political strength and purchasing power of the black community. We will no longer tolerate such offenses, such affronts to our people. There is no doubt whatsoever in my mind that had Imus used the word "kike" or "money-grubbing Jew" or some similarly disgusting rhetoric on his show, he'd be out on the street on his butt as soon as the "On Air" light dimmed.
The issue here is a simple one:RESPECT.
Imus and McGuirk are the line in the sand. Enough is enough!
Imus' apologies notwithstanding, his remarks in his interview with Al Sharpton and elsewhere clearly indicate he still doesn't get it. And while an apology is what any sensible person would do; it cannot obliterate the words, it cannot undo the harm. Imus must be made to pay for his on-air conduct with his job.
The same is true for Imus' executivei producer Bernard McGuirk. We've heard not a peep out of him. Not only did he inject sexist and racist animus into the discussion with the introduction of "ho'," he then continued on to talk about "jigaboos"! This mental and moral cretin, hired, in Imus' own words (in an early interview) to "do the nigger jokes," has GOT to go.
WHERE IS YOUR CONSCIENCE? YOUR SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PUBLIC? YOUR SENSE OF DECENCY, CORPORATE INTEGRITY AND MORALITY?
The exodus of sponsors has will continue.
... I and others will communicate our thanks and support to NBC and the advertisers and individuals who have disassociated themselves from the Imus show. We will lodge formal complaints with the FCC, demanding that they take action in this instance and in other instances where radio talk show hosts engage in such hate speech as was exhibited by both Imus and McGuirk last Thursday. The fine of $325,000 per utterance for obscenity and offending public decency should be levied in such cases as the Imus/McGuirk incident. Let's see. That's "ho'", "nappy-headed ho's" and "jigaboo." Just for starters, that's $975,000.
Your corporate bean counters should give serious consideration to the escalating consequences of keeping Imus and McGuirk on the air. We intend to follow through on this. Hate speech is NOT covered by the First Amendment. And if the FCC can go after PBS stations for airing fairly innocuous obscenities uttered in historical context, then it certainly can and should go after those who spew racist and sexist venom that panders to the lowest common denominator, that inflames/feeds old hatreds and resentments and inflicts deep wounds on some of the most hopeful and vulnerable among us.
From a "Washington Post" article: "'He's crossed the line, he's violated our community,' [African-American CBS executive and former head of the NAACP] Gordon told the Associated Press. 'He needs to face the consequence of that violation.' CBS declined to comment on Gordon's statement."
Gordon is right. Imus and McGuirk should have BEEN gone -- and not just suspended; fired. Fired for not only this episode, but for a track record of sleazy, vicious, vile commentary that is racist, sexist and homophobic. Such intemperate, offensive speech and conduct have absolutely NO place in our increasingly diverse society. They must have no safe harbor if we are to build the harmonious, egalitarian, respectful, cohesive, civil, American society that we all must all strive for -- for ourselves and those who come after us.
Do the right thing. Fire them both and then try to salvage whatever respectability/credibility with the black community you may have remaining.
DO IT NOW.
