So Imus has been temporarily displaced. Anyone noticed the backlash yet?
There's no need for me to explain that I'm being facetious, is there? Shock jocks around the country are ratcheting up the levels of degenerate content that they call entertainment. Some radio stations are vowing to keep Imus on despite the CBS decision to fire him. Citing Imus as their rally point, they envelop themselves in the first amendment and declare the Imus detractors as pc wimps.
Here’s my obligatory statement: I’m embarrassed by the way some blacks have reacted to Imus’s remarks and thoroughly disgusted by their white enablers. As a multiracial society, America is rife with double standards. There’s one standard of acceptable behavior for whites, and another, much lower standard of acceptable behavior for blacks (of all socioeconomic classes). It’s shameful. Everybody knows it, but few will publicly admit it.
If black Americans in 2007 are this delicate and overreact to the slightest insults with this much unrighteous indignation, it’s pretty safe to say black people are not made the way they used to be, of stronger stuff, able to withstand truly demeaning and criminal treatment at the hands of true oppressors. It’s sad to know that the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of people who faced actual oppression are so much weaker, much less discerning, and much more undignified.
Is the message here that if Black people complain about something that does not rise to the level of slavery then they are delicate? I've observed Leshawn's blog. The writing is excellent and her convictions are strong. I think she's missing a piece to the puzzle here.
Take a look at Rush Limbaugh's latest satire on Barack Obama. Hat tip: Afro-Netizen.
I referenced in my last post on Imus the evidence of this backlash first coming from Don Imus himself:
So, do African-Americans really have the right to influence, and even control, their public image? Before 2 weeks ago I would have answered this question easily: a resounding YES! However, for me, the most interesting part of this controversy occurred after Imus was fired. There was a backlash! Imus issued what was probably the most offensive assertion of the week when he stated, "I may just be a White guy, but I know where this term comes from. I know that Black men are the ones who denigrate Black women everyday."
Well, let me be the first Black man that Don Imus has ever heard of to tell you: Black men do not go around insulting our Black (or any other!) women. My mother, my sisters, and my wife would never tolerate me doing so. Don Imus is a damn fool who should get around to educating himself about the folks he makes a living insulting.
While this argument was untrue on every possible level, the media bought in to it.
So how is this related to Imus and what's is the message we should
receive as media consumers? I'll state this simply.
Black people in America today have the right and the responsibility to be wise media consumers. We have the right to make demands of those that would portray us in the media, whether for the good or bad. We do not expect everyone to see things our way. But you will feel the reverberations when we disagree. Dr. King taught us that.
We do not have to wait until all African-Americans are walking in lock step. We do not have to wait until all rappers have cleaned up their act. We do not have to wait for Al and Jesse to decide to leave. Our citizenship gives us that right. I agree with Leshawn, there have been two standards of conduct in America for far too long. We need to recognize that we do not need permission when it comes to knowing when to take action.
The action against Imus made many Americans uncomfortable. I've been uncomfortable with many things I hear coming from my television every night. It's been too long in America where Black people are supposed to cover their ears or change the channel and pretend they didn't just hear something insulting. Don Imus. We heard you. I hope you heard us as well.
BTW, 14 people shot in the last 15 months equals a crisis in community policing. These are not acceptable rates folks. At the very least, greater oversight is needed here. GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigations) is in on the investigation. Our continued involvement and active participation is needed. More coming.
Shooting victim seeks charges against Fulton police
By S.A. REID The Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionPublished on: 04/24/07
The surviving brother from a shooting by police in south Fulton County on Tuesday filed an application for an arrest warrant against the two county police officers.
The application, filed by Roy Pettaway III, 27 , was accepted by a Magistrate Court clerk and forwarded to a magistrate, who will set a hearing.
One of the reasons I've become interested in blogging is the opportunity to add my voice to our collective American discourse. So I'm pleased now in 2 ways. First to have made the acquaintance of several fellow bloggers whose sites I admire and whose prose I've so far enjoyed. Francis L. Holland and Exodus Mentality led the way here. Mad shouts as well to Sonya at Make it Plain and to Bronze Trinity. There is a strong, afro-centric blogging community out there. Secondly, to have a meaningful cause to present to my readers for your consideration and immediate action.
Before I begin, a couple of observations.
Before jumping on the proverbial "band wagon", it's important to do one's due diligence
When considering lending a cause your name, and therefore whatever credibility you may have, count the cost
That said, let's move on.
Family of brothers shot by police want Perdue's intervention
The Associated Press - ATLANTA
The
family of two unarmed brothers shot by Fulton County police after a bar
fight called on Gov. Sonny Perdue on Wednesday to declare a state of
emergency for the numerous police-involved shootings that have happened
recently in metro Atlanta.
"It is your responsibility...as
governor of this state, to intervene," read the letter signed by the
Rev. Markel Hutchins, spokesman for the Petteway family.
"We call
on you to form a blue-ribbon panel to proffer substantive changes in
public policy relative to how we train and regulate Georgia peace
officers," Hutchins said.
Hutchins said issues needed to be
examined within Georgia's police community include lack of training,
the availability of non-lethal weaponry, and character assessments and
background checks for prospective officers.
Fulton County police
responded to a bar fight involving Ron and Roy Petteway III at a club
in College Park on Saturday night. Both brothers were shot, and Ron
Petteway died at the club. He was shot in the back of the head,
according to family members and the Fulton County Medical Examiner's
Office.
Family members say Roy Petteway III, 27, was shot in the
back. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and was released on
Tuesday.
Several members of the Petteway family went to the
Capitol on Wednesday to deliver a letter to Perdue, who was not there
to meet with them.
"It is the responsibility of elected officials
to respond to the crises of people they are elected to serve," Hutchins
said outside the Capitol.
This article reflects an unacceptable standard for policing in our community. Any outcome of police interaction that results in unarmed individuals losing their life has to be viewed as the wrong outcome. Let's stop pretending. On the heels of the Imus situation and our successful mobilization there, I am hoping that the bright light of public expectation will lead the Georgia Bureau of Investigations to do a careful, open, and thorough investigation here.
Hutchins has represented the families of several people killed in police-involved shootings in metro Atlanta.
He
cited as evidence of excessive police force the July 2003 shooting
death of 18-year-old Corey Ward _ who was shot in the Buckhead
neighborhood by an Atlanta police officer who thought Ward was driving
a stolen SUV _ as well as the November shooting death of Kathryn
Johnston, killed by Atlanta police officers who were serving a no-knock
drug warrant on the elderly woman's northwest Atlanta home.
The
Petteway family will bury Ron Petteway on Saturday, which would have
been his 27th birthday. The family will also lead a march from the
Frozen Palace nightclub, the scene of the shooting, to Live Oak Baptist
Church for a funeral service for Ron Petteway.
Their father, Roy
Petteway Jr., said outside the Capitol that he wanted justice not just
for his family, but for all families who have been through a similar
experience.
"This is the time for us to stand up as a family," he said. "I almost lost two sons in one night. They're good young men."
Fulton
County police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are investigating
the Petteway shootings. Fulton County Police Chief George Coleman said
the two officers who shot the Petteway brothers have less than two
years on the force.
Both men are on administrative leave pending the outcome of the probe. Their names have not been released.
So now that the dust has cleared on this whole Imus issue, I'd like to take a second look.
Over the past 2 weeks I have heard this controversy discussed on 24 hour cable news stations and on the 'big 3' television networks. I listened to talk radio from the right and from the left and to various African-American talk radio shows. And almost 97% of what I heard was complete and utter rubbish! This issue has been mishandled and for the most part mis-represented. I have observed that the framing of an issue (or how it is presented), often times sets the parameters for the discussion. Such was the case here. The 3% worthwhile discourse I'll reserve for a couple of "news maker notables" (my term) that I'll acknowledge at the end. For now, let's address some of the many fallacies I heard thrown around this week.
To begin with, Don Imus did not make a mistake in his comments. I've widely heard that Don Imus has been unfairly persecuted due to a simple mistake. Let's be clear: a mistake is when I say, "Yes" to my wife asking me if these pants make her butt look big. (Which I'd like to add that I've never done...and also that no pair of pants could...nor would I say so if they did, WHICH THEY WOULDN'T... oh never mind!) A mistake is when you leave out a word or transpose two words; and though you were trying to communicate one thing, you end up saying quite another.
No, Don Imus is not at the center of this controversy for a slip of the tongue. Don said something that he thought was funny. And in doing so, opened up for us, a small window into his mind.
Some say that jokes are (or should be) protected speech. And it is true that we all know of comedians who have had success turning sensitive, potentially inflammatory issues into a moment of laughter and healing (i.e. - Muslim comics after 9/11). Those who succeed at walking the razors edge enjoy our adoration and fame (read: Chris Rock, George Carlin). Those who fail...can you say "Kramer?"
Another version of this fallacy follows that "Shock Jocks" should have greater leniency when it comes to "politically correct" issues. In fact, when it comes right down to it: By firing Imus, haven't we have somehow set back all of our 1st Amendment rights? First, as you know, jokes are no more a protected form of speech than political satire could be mistaken for treason...well, anyway. Each of us as Americans enjoy the right to (almost) completely unfettered free speech. There are some exceptions by the way. Each of us as Americans also enjoys the right to political protest.
I know of no exceptions to the right of each American to dissent. Whether during "war-time" or not! And to my mind, this is at the heart of the Imus controversy. Our democratic ideas are meant for these cases. When our 1st Amendment rights clash with others' right to dissent, then what? How we resolve our differences is what sets our American democracy apart.
So, do African-Americans really have the right to influence, and even control, their public image? Before 2 weeks ago I would have answered this question easily: a resounding YES! However, for me, the most interesting part of this controversy occurred after Imus was fired. There was a backlash! Imus issued what was probably the most offensive assertion of the week when he stated, "I may just be a White guy, but I know where this term comes from. I know that Black men are the ones who denigrate Black women everyday."
Well, let me be the first Black man that Don Imus has ever heard of to tell you: Black men do not go around insulting our Black (or any other!) women. My mother, my sisters, and my wife would never tolerate me doing so. Don Imus is a damn fool who should get around to educating himself about the folks he makes a living insulting.
While this argument was untrue on every possible level, the media bought in to it. In fact, all coverage of this issue included some discussion of Hip-Hop culture and so-called Black duplicity. Nor could any African-American analyst who came on any of the media outlets be allowed to discuss their reprehension at Imus's comments without first being made to answer for Jesse, Al, Chris Rock, 50 Cent, JZ, all of hip-hop, and any other obstacles hard-nosed commentators could throw at them. Within 48 hours of Imus first comments, the conversation had been framed in an entirely different light. The question was no longer, "How did we get to a place in American discourse where "shock jocks" could make a living? And how is that impacting our youth?" Instead, the question seemed to be, "Where do these people get off trying to tell anyone how they can speak, when there are "rappers" around and no one (that we know of) is addressing them. They're hypocrites!"
Again let me elucidate. Rap is like Rock and Roll. There are many types and sub-types. Elvis Presley is not to be compared with KISS! Furthermore, as a life-long fan of hip-hop (I'll explain the difference between hip-hop and rap in another post, hang in there for now!), I have always heard Black leaders speaking out against the more negative forms of rap.
So what are the pro-Imus pundits telling me as an American? The standard for Black people is no protest until perfection? Apparently, they don't want me to have the right to say to Imus, "Sir, your characterization of a truly exemplary group of women is unacceptable." What's more, though all of America knows that Al and Jesse are unelected, self-proclaimed leaders, we must all be defined by their actions?! I don't think so.
I have dealt here with just a few fallacies to come out of this past two week's conversation. My fingers are tired, as are your eyes, so I will take a break! Part Two will deal with what African-American, and in fact all American's, response should be to this and other similar challenges.
So we've all been following the story up at Virginia Tech. My sister Stephanie graduated from Tech in '04. Main story can be found here. I read a blog this evening suggesting that we all better arm ourselves. Can't say that I disagree! Also, here's a bit of FOX coverage.
