News and Editorials

Imus Redux

 Let's applaud NBC for their message on WHY they dropped Imus from their air schedule. Their CEO, Jeff Zucker, and President, Steve Capus, really led the way. And we're glad CBS got smart and followed.

Note that I'm not speaking of the discharge of Imus at all; that's a separate issue.

You see, the real danger of Imus' type of outburst was that it emboldens people to voice their worst thoughts. That's an awful message to give the public with some serious potential consequences for us as a society.

By contract, the networks' statement that the judgment and feelings of their workforce were deciding factors - even where finances have a strong influence - is a perfect countervailing message. It empowers people to speak up against racism, sexism, and discrimination, instead.

Are we hearing that racial and sexual disparagement won't be tolerated on the airwaves any longer? I'm not quite so sure as yet. It's certainly worth a discussion about Imus being fired, when others still make their living doing this. Take Carlos Mencia or Dave Chappelle for example, who manage to offend their own communities as well as many others!

It is past time that we recognized discriminatory humor as both personally hurtful and socially harmful.

Before the flaming about "political correctness" starts, let's face a basic fact here: You can criticize or comment about public figures and events without resorting to racism or sexism. Neither good humor nor good satire require it, not to mention good reporting.

You want to be edgy and pointed? Ok, fine. But let's drop the dangerous stuff.

In the meantime, it's really worth our while to thank NBC and CBS for doing something that's socially commendable in taking a stand and will probably be rewarded on the bottom line as well.

Bart A. Charlow, President
Silicon Valley Conference for Community and Justice

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