Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to take a moment to touch on this issue, if I can put my humle little spin on a very touchy subject here in America:
I used to listen to Imus for years and in my heart of hearts, I really do not think the man is a racist. He, like most so many of us do, sees humour (sometimes dark) in all kinds of stereotypes across cultural, political and socioeconomic lines, makes jokes about them and from a very, very, very long time ago, he learned how to make a living off of making these jokes on radio and television, most times, by "pushing the envelope" as they like to say in the art and entertainment industry.
I honestly wasn't surprised by his "comments" but not because I think he is racist, but I have listened to him insult just about every culture, race and social group over the years and at some point I think that, given his choice of broadcast, he is bound to offend somebody to a point of controversey of this magnitude. As far as the whole climate of racism and the injustices of American hypocrisy is concerned, Imus is certainly not the problem. Far from it. His type of broadcast is meant to caricaturize everybody and everything (including himself, his past drug and alcohol problems and his "lovely little wife," as he has referred to her and if he's still married to her). Very few people have been off limits and one can only take him but so seriously. I would like to repeat myself: As far as the whole climate of racism and the injustices of American hypocrisy is concerned, Imus is certainly not the problem. Far from it.
Racism and its effects on black people has "evolved," if you will, from the days of slavery, to the hipocrisy of modern day society, which, in america, includes the self loathing that has "successfully" permeated Black culture. To me, Imus is harmless, compared to rush limbaugh, bob grant, bill o'reilly, george bush and a lot of those politicians that are based in Washington DC, BET, MTV and VH1 and all of their gangsta rap videos, gangsta rap on the radio, drugs and the people who perpetuate them, and the american gun industry and the people who perpetuate that.
I wouldn't even put Imus in the same category as kramer and his insignificant drunken tirade. the difference to me, being that Imus is spewing his humor across the airwaves for money and ratings while "kramer" caught a moment where he was expressing what was hidden in his heart......if it was ever hidden at all. Not that I can even pretend to know Imus personally so I am not even trying to be a spoksperson for him, but, for all the years that I used to listen to his show, I really never felt that racism is his makeup. If i'm wrong, I'm wrong.
Sorry, I was just writing away my thoughts and feelings. I hope this is a little easier on the eyes.