Don Imus calls Rutgers Women’s Basketball Team “nappy headed hoes”
IMUS: That’s some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos and—
McGUIRK: Some hard-core hos.
IMUS: That’s some nappy-headed hos there. I’m gonna tell you that now, man, that’s some—woo. And the girls from Tennessee, they all look cute, you know, so, like—kinda like—I don’t know.
McGUIRK: A Spike Lee thing.
IMUS: Yeah.
McGUIRK: The Jigaboos vs. the Wannabes—that movie that he had.
The National Association of Black Journalists is calling for the immediate firing of Don Imus, host of the nationally syndicated radio show "Imus in the Morning" which also airs on MSNBC. Imus made the above remarks on his April 4 show in reference to the Rutgers Women's Basketball team who finished their season on Tuesday as National Runners-Up.
According to their website, NABJ is also calling for the removal of 'Imus' producer Bernard McGuirk. "What he (Imus) said has deeply hurt too many people — black and white, male and female," said Bryan Monroe, NABJ president. "His so-called apology comes two days after the fact, and it is too little, too late."
Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer came out with the following statement regarding the slurs:
I am deeply saddened and angered by Mr. Imus' statements regarding the members of the Rutgers women's basketball team. These talented, articulate young women put forth a great deal of hard work and effort this past season to reach the nation's grandest stage — the NCAA title game.
Throughout the year, these gifted young ladies set an example for the nation that through hard work and perseverance, you can accomplish anything if you believe. Without a doubt, this past season was my most rewarding in 36 years of coaching. This young team fought through immeasurable odds to reach the highest pinnacle and play for the school's first national championship in a major sport.
To serve as a joke of Mr. Imus in such an insensitive manner creates a wedge and makes light of the efforts of these classy individuals, both as women and as women of color. It is unfortunate Mr. Imus sought to tarnish Rutgers' spirit and success. Should we not, as adults, send a message of encouragement to young people to aspire to the highest levels as my team did this season?"
You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried. On the night when I was already pissed at Comedy Central for referring to the black female on their series Halfway Home as a "fat whore" and a "bitch," here goes this dude. If we don't wake up see what time it is, it's nobody's fault but our own. As far as I'm concerned, all "straight-shooters" like Imus have a little bit of this in them. They get to talking, and it feels so good to them and then whoops….they let their true feelings slip out.
We cannot allow this. Not just by Imus, but by anyone. It's time for everybody to stop referring to black women as bitches and hoes. We're not men, brothers, if we allow this to continue without saying anything about it. If these are things people say in public, what must they being saying in private?
The young ladies of the Rutgers women's basketball team had great a run with a young team, and they should get back to the Final Four next year. This could serve as motivation for them, but what about us? What will we do to show these talented young women that we won't stand by while they are disrespected? For starters, Imus and McGuirk have to go. Now!
