Racism in Star-Telegram Cartoon

From: “Isn't an apology enough?” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, April 12, 2007)

Excerpts of Letters to the Editor:


I've been offended by many things, but I got over it. And I'll probably be offended again. Still, I'm not sure that anyone has a "right" to not be offended… Don Imus was stupid to have said the things he did on national radio. But he has apologized! Some folks think the apology insincere. So what? He has apologized publicly!

Do his remarks really make him a racist? Have we become so politically correct that no one can make a mistake and survive? Do the media have a "right" to continue to castigate this person so long after the event? The No. 1 racist is Al Sharpton. He seems to think that anyone who disparages anyone who's black deserves to be crucified. An apology isn't enough for him!

I was born and raised in the South in an era of separate drinking fountains. I enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 at age 17… There were good white people and good "colored" people… The media need to back off. The African-American community needs to take stock. An apology offered should be enough and accepted. There's no reason to examine the excuse or apology and declare that it wasn't sincere enough. We must be more tolerant than that.

Wake up, folks. We can get over being offended every time someone steps on our toes, no matter how stupid their remarks! Not to do so is stupid in itself.

Tony Girtman, Runaway Bay

Ten years ago, a sincere apology would get anyone out of trouble. Not these days. Apologies aren't enough when minorities and those on the left are insulted… But when insults fly from the left, hardly a word is mentioned. What Imus said was bad -- double bad... I think Imus should be given a pass... I suggest that people who feel offended should write to the advertisers on Imus' show. If the sponsors feel that a marketable number of people is offended, guess what? The show will be cancelled.

Steve Carson, Arlington

Hip Hop Gives Imus Sponsors Economic Backhand Lash
By Eddie Griffin

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Today’s Star-Telegram printed this “racist” editorial scapegoat cartoon by Etta Hulme.

Can you see the racism? I thought not, and neither can the media. It is ever so subtle the normal person might miss it. Look. First, you see the cartoon character with his back toward us, droopy shirt, sagging pants, and on his back: Hip Hop. The character is wearing a cowboy hat with the word: Imus.

How is Imus connected with Hip Hop, except through insinuation? At the bottom of the cartoon is the word: Accessory. The only accessory possible is the cowboy hat (Imus) while the whole body belongs to Hip Hop. What does that suggest?

I noted on yesterday, how ABC News anchor Charles Gibbon connected Imus comments about “nappy-headed ‘hoes” to the kind of language used by hip hop rap artist all the time. [“ABC NEWS Anchor Ask Wrong Question in Imus Debacle”]. The Etta Hulme confirms this suggestion that hip hop is the blame for such derogatory racial slurs used by Imus.

Let the hip hop community speak in their own defense:

Unlike stereotypes, the hip hop community is a very politically self-aware and intelligent community. This is why I subscribe to Thug Life Army, because hip hop is the only true political consciousness in the black community. Here is a reprint on the Imus controversy.

The Hip Hop Community is growing every day. As a ‘body’ we have the numbers to make a difference when we speak out. Hip hop is being ‘blamed’ as one reason that Don Imus felt comfortable with his remarks about Black Woman and the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

As a community Hip Hop should ‘stand up’ and 'speak up'. Hip Hop is not the cause of all of society’s woes or should hip hop be blamed when racists’ remarks are made – especially against women of any color.

Imus has attempted to ‘apologize’ for his comments but it was with the ease that it came out of his mouth that makes this serious. If you think a certain way it is surely to slip out sooner or later and he can blame it on humor or what ever else it would like, but he would have not said those comments if he did not think of Black Women in that context.

Hip Hop needs to stand up and speak out on this. We should not take the blame for his remarks.

Davey D has posted a list of Don Imus' Corporate Sponsors. Below is Davey D’s post. Hip Hop Stand Up and Speak Out.

Here's Don Imus' Corporate Sponsor List: Hit 'em Where It Hurts by Davey D

The MSNBC / NBC sponsors are:
Cadillac
Wyeth Laboratories / Caltrate
Covergirl cosmetics
Aleve
Comcast Chanel One
Xerox (sorry Neet)
Subway Sandwich Shops
Capri Sun Drinks
Nasonex nasal spray
Mazda CX9 SUV
Ask.com
Verizon Wireless
Nivea body lotion
Expedia.com
Valspar house paint
Nissan Altima
Mitsubishi Lancer
Mancini's Sleep World
Chevy Silverado Extended Cab Trucks
Mercedes R350 Class Cars
Comcast Digital Voice Home Service
TRANE Air Conditioning Systems
ETrade
Dove Pro-AGe Shampoo
Imitrex Migraine Medication
Pampers Cruisers Disposable diapers
2008 Lexus RX Automobile
Claritin Clear Allergy Medication
Thompson's Waterseal wood finisher

Source: Thug Life Army

Dear Corporate Sponsor:

In view of the egregious remarks made by Mr. Don Imus on his NBC Radio broadcast last week, and in view of the fact that NBC Radio has failed to terminate him from their employ in response to these and other equally unacceptable comments about members of our community, I am forthwith ceasing from purchasing any of your products and/or services if you continue your sponsorship of MSNBC, NBC, and their affiliate broadcast entities, who by their failure to adequately sanction the behavior of their staff, are sending a clear message to the black community that they either agree with Mr. Imus' comments or find them to be acceptable. By your sponsorship, you share in the responsibility of Mr. Imus' reprehensible behavior with the NBC Broadcast Corporation.

Regards,

Davey D

Contributed by Eddie Griffin