"But You Guys Say It All The Time"

Fall out from the Don Imus comments is dominating news sites, chat rooms, and water coolers all across America. Many, however, fail to grasp the seriousness of the situation and the larger issues at hand. TV Personality Al Roker(formerly known as "Big Al") came out publicly saying "It's time for Imus to go." Reading his readers comments, as well as many on the radio and tv, the general sentiment from white people seems to be "What's the big deal? You guys say it all the time".
And it's true.
The "nappy head", "ho", the "n-word", "you people"- all red flags that some racist comments are about to go down. The question is, why is it ok for Black people to use these terms, but not anyone else?
The answer is, it's not OK.
We as a people need to stop tolerating and participating in the self-derogatory vernacular that has become considered normal, especially in the entertainment industry. Yes, it is hypocritical to despise a white person who calls you "nigger", if you say it to other people all the time. (No, there is no difference between "nigger" and "nigga"- same definition, just different accent.) We cannot disrespect and degrade each other daily, then express outrage when others do the same. We have to change our ways, and treat each other the way we want to be treated. (It's not called the "golden rule" for nothing)

But a message to all those who say "you guys say it, so why can't we?":
When someone does wrong, pointing out the victim's imperfections does not justify anything. And a black person degrading a black person is definitely wrong, but rarely racist- and racism is the reason so many people were upset. And if you don't understand why racism upsets people, then why are you even reading this, you sociopath? (not that you care, but I was kidding)

Black Hos and Jiggaboos

With such a prime example of racism, it was difficult to settle on an angle.

It's not surprising to me that an old white man would speak such blatantly racist remarks.

I'm not surprising that any white man would have such a European sense of beauty, as to call a predominately black basketball team full of some really good looking girls "rough looking".

I'm not surprised that his co-commentator received no attention, even though he was just as guilty in his agreement with, and even assisting the comments made.

It's unsurprising that he has apologized for the comments, citing his "deep regret and embarrassment", but failed to acknowledge the wrong in thinking such hateful thoughts. (Just like Michael Richards)

What is surprising, is the obvious bigotry in the repercussions.

Not long ago, Lamar Thomas was fired from his sports analyst job for comments he made. A fight broke out between UA, his alumni, and rivals FIU, and he made "inappropriate comments" like "That's what I'm talking about!", and " You don't come into our house talking noise like that!"

He was fired just one day after the comments were made because they say his comments "condoned violence", but ol Don Imus insults an entire race of women by calling them "nappy headed ho's" and "jiggaboos", and it takes five days for any action to occur. If it wasn't on YouTube that Friday and responded to with such outrage, I wonder if any action would have been taken at all. And what action was taken? The show will be suspended for two weeks, starting April sixteenth. Oh, the bigotry, how it burns. Both Don Imus and Sid Rosenberg should be fired and blacklisted from the entire media industry. Anything less proves the tolerance of racism in amongst white media personalities. The only means of contacting the network is by email, so if you are equally outraged, send an email to viewerservices@msnbc.com. This has got to stop.