DON IMUS IS BACK ON AIR - NOW WHAT?

Content Black Woman, WAOD Contributor

Two of the most pervasive questions are: Should Imus have been allowed back on air? and Is he sincere in his remarks? Both viable questions.

As a former Angry Black Woman who works hard to stay focused on being content and at peace, this is where it is difficult to trust white people who have demonstrated a propensity to be cruel to Black people. In an effort not to rehash all the psycho-babble regarding Imus and his true intent and what's really in his heart serving as his real motivation, at first glance, I want to believe him. Not as a white man, but as a human being.

Granted, we've all made mistakes and said things we wish we could take back. I get that part of Imus' comfort level for him doing what he did - whether he knows it or not - enabled him to do so because he is a white man in America. He, at the very least, knows subconsciously he can pretty much say or do whatever he wants with little to no consequence. I'm going to go out on a limb and bet that Imus would be the first to say this does not give him a license to be cruel to anyone without the comparable resources or access to defend themselves.

There are those who would argue that when you are a white male multi-millionaire it's a little easier to be apologetic and contrite when you've been caught doing something wrong. In addition, you get a $10 million to $20 million settlement to go away from your previous employer only to find another job 8 months later. This would make few who are Black and female feel sorry for this man. He may have been made to feel very uncomfortable for a while, however, he still benefits from being a white man who has been defined as someone who has made it O.K. to be funny and cruel. Only in America.

On several occasions, I have gone to YouTube in an attempt to find a clip of the Chris Rock routine where he jokes about white people love being white and if they found out that they had to live as a black person most would kill themselves. He goes on to tell his predominantly white audience that they wouldn't even trade places with him and he's rich!

Am I angry that Imus is back on the air? To be honest, I am shocked that he even got fired. I thought that he would be allowed to ride it out. I am not angry though. I hope he can bring to light issues of race that often go untouched by mainstream media. However, I must give it to Imus. He has taken his licking like a man. Whether it be because as a recovering drug addict and alcoholic he knows what it's like to suffer; maybe he is able to manage this situation better than most. To be honest, I'm really not sure.

The world witnessed the power of the Internet for Black people spurning what I refer to as a "digital civil right movement" where the likes of Black bloggers demonstrated - and continue to do so - their power to communicate a perspective that has not been watered down or sanitized to make those who are not Black feel more comfortable.

White people may not be the cause for all the challenges faced in the Black community today, but as long as they remain the beneficiaries of a privileged head start both economically and psychologically, I am afraid the Black community will continue to struggle for a long time. However, with the new contrite Imus and an increased awareness of the challenges within the Black community, I'd give anything to be wrong.

And another thing.....Don Imus returning to the Airwaves " Rested, humbled and ready for war" With Whom?- Glamour Wars

Y'all remember Don Imus? You know the one that set in motion the chain of events that caused me to give up my evening job as a carb-inhaling couch potato and start this blog. Well ABC Radio

Gawker in their classic fashion points out the lack of any outrage from the usual suspects. Oh just give folks time.

The Rutgers women's basketball team doesn't care if sad old coot Don Imus returns to the radio. Al Sharpton doesn't really care either (though he will be "monitoring"). GAWKER

I want y'all to read this transcript and tell me that the transcriber does not have it in for Fox News. Take a screen capture of what I hope is a typo before Fox fixes this. If this ain't a typo, then somebody is really stupid.

HEATHER NAUERT, CO-HOST: That's right, the radio cowboy has reportedly napped a brand new eight figure deal, bringing him back to the airwaves starting December 3. A source tells the Drudge Report that Don Imus is "Rested, humbled and ready for war."

That transcriber is not funny. They did that on purpose.

Glamour Wars- A definite DON'T- Ignorance Personified

According to American Lawyer magazine, the editor showed a slide of an African-American female wearing an afro. "A real no-no, announced the Glamour editor to the 40 or so lawyers in the room. As for dreadlocks: How truly dreadful! The style maven said it was 'shocking' that some people still think it 'appropriate' to wear those hairstyles at the office. 'No offense,' she sniffed, but those 'political' hairstyles really have to go."SOURCE

I have gotten tons of emails about this incident where an editor of Glamour decided to give her advice on Black women's hairstyles at a law firm. She basically said naturals were a NO NO. Well the aftermath hasn't been fun and the backlash has been fueled by Black bloggers YEAH! I keep telling y'all the revolution will not be televised.

Well Afrobella ( ONE OF MY FAVORITE BLOGS!) gives the latest and gives a great post that basically chronicles the history of the original comments, the aftermath, Glamour's response, the resignation of the editor, and now, the editor is telling her side of the story.

Afrobella also weighed in on her thoughts on the Cosby appearance on Meet the Press.

September 25, 2007 - Congress to Hold Hearings on Negative Portrayals Of Black Women in Media ( LUNCH UPDATE)

Congress finally got around to noticing the systematic dehumanization of Black women in popular culture and they are going to hold hearings about it. The hearing is currently titled, "From Imus to Industry: The Business of Stereotypes and Degradation." Once again, we have to send don Imus a fruit basket and a bottle of Champelle, he is like the gift that keeps on giving. Too bad Congress required a crusty old coot to get hearings like this.....but I digress.

Hearing, not yet officially announced and tentatively skedded for Sept. 25, will focus primarily on hip-hop lyrics and videos, which critics have frequently derided for explicit misogyny aimed largely at black women. Variety

This was what they were talking about when I used to participate in a weekly conference call with womens' and civil rights groups ( the ones mentioned in the article)..... BACK in July. This is a serious case of better late than never. It is going down on September 25, 2007. Folks contact the members of the committee, BOTH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT with "examples" . It is the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Ironically., it may be the Democrats with their noted ties to the entertainment industry that may be most reluctant to call these people on their crap(according to my sources).

Witnesses include toppers Philippe Dauman of Viacom, Doug Morris of Universal Music Group and Edgar Bronfman Jr. of Warner Music Group.

These are not lackeys like Debra Lee and Reginald Hudlin. These are the big boys and girls that are going to be on the hot seat. Seriously, those who have been waiting and watching to nail their azzes to the wall, this is your moment, you might not get another one.

For those of you not familiar with the corporatocracy, Viacom owns BET, MTV and VH1 home of the terrible trilogy, Flavor of Love, I love NY and Charm School. In other words this one man is responsible for putting Black folks back about 500 years, by HIMSELF! Like I said, you might not get another opportunity like this to have the Viacom CEO make an accounting for his actions. They probably won't make them testify under oath, but this should be very interesting.

Some folks have asked how they can get involved in the comments section. I have a couple of e-mails out asking how to go about doing that.

UPDATE: I spoke to TWO different committee staffers. The staffer working on the hearings for Congressman Rush's office, didn't respond to my e-mail and isn't taking my calls, but y'all know iI can hunt down the 411. So I went another direction folks over on the minority side of the committee and a staffer for the full committee ( The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Chaired by Rep. Dingle out of IL) were extremely helpful and gave a ton of important info to those wanting to attend.

If you want to be a witness, according to the full committee staffer it looks like a long shot as the Chair probably already has a list of invitees, but you can always try by contacting Bobby Rush's office. Christian Fjeld is the staffer that was working on this when last I heard about this, his email is Christian.Fjeld@mail.house.gov. I sent him an email for alternative contact info, but he "stepped away from his desk" which is office speak for "I don't want to take your call." So email him to your heart's content. Right now, the only known witness is Master P ( WTF???)I sat in on some of the early discussions about the hearings back in July and am aware of the source of some of the potential witnesses, but it never hurts to try. You have until September 25th. God Luck with that!

Although Representative Rush's office was unhelpful in getting you guys any additional information on the hearings, undaunted, I called the full committee and also accidentally got transferred to the minority members' office ie THE REPUBLICANS at some point and they were MORE THAN HAPPY to tell ALL. Surprisingly so. So here is the 411.

The date is not firm YET but pretty much so. Both my sources said that the date was not definitely set in stone. The September 25th date could change. In fact the staffer for the full committee was surprised that it had been reported in Variety, he said to keep checking the full committee's website. He also said I could call him anytime and he would give us an update on where we are in the process. They have to give at least 72 hours notice, but there should be more than that so those of you considering traveling to DC might want to hold off about a week before booking a ticket.

Seating During the Hearings
The seating is on a first come first serve basis. Depending on which room they select, the room will either hold 75 or 150 people. Based on their past experience, they are saying get there atleast 2 hours early to guarantee a seat. This would be in the Rayburn Building. now one of them told me that you can't bring a camera,b ut you CAN bring a laptop. That makes no sense, but I will do additional research on that.

I suggest folks go up there two hours early as a group an chill out. I'll maybe even produce a special bright pink T-shirt for the occasion. They said folks could line up at the door. ROAD TRIP! So get on the horn and let ere' body know! This is like Hailey's Comet. An opportunity like this comes around once every 75 years or so. Those of you who have been ticked off with Viacom, this is your moment.

While there is only on Chair of the subcommittee, there are tons of other members who get to ask questions as well. You might get frozen out by Rush's office, but there is nothing to stop you from contacting other members of the Committe e and you might actually get more assistance from the Republicans ( weird, but apparently true). They don't have a dog in this fight.

I'll keep you updated, y'all do the same.

MORE IMUS DRAMA: WE ARE NOT VICTIMS! ONLY THE COURAGEOUS STAND UP TO PROTECT THEMSELVES

Much love and a big shout to the creator of this blog, Ms. Gina. I have accepted her gracious invitation to serve as an occasional contributor to this blog. It's safe to say that we have complimentary styles, but our purpose is the same - to speak up for and protect the image of Black women.

I go by the screen name of Content Black Woman. And with the demands on Ms. Gina's time, I've decided to use this opportunity to add my two cents concerning the recent developments of Don Imus and his media status resulting from his ignorant comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team as well as the law suit filed by Kia Vaughn, one of the team members.

As expected, cyberspace is buzzing once again concerning the controversy of Imus now that he has settled with CBS regarding his suit for breach of contract. Basically, he believed he got fired for what CBS radio hired him to do. Reportedly, he was suing for $120 million and CBS settled for $20 million which some say is not true. Either way after the first $3 - 4 million in settlement money, who other than really greedy people are still counting anyway.

Interestingly enough, Kia Vaughn, Rutgers women's basketball team member is suing for defamation of character and a few other things claiming the incident harmed her presumably psychologically and otherwise.

Of course the same sexist and racist bloggers want to say she has fallen into a victim mentality.

Let me drop some knowledge on some folks. Don't fall for the psychological B.S. designed to make Black women look like we're crazy when we decide to stand up for ourselves and our daughters. Granted, who else are standing up for Black women lately. It's not Jesse. It's not Al. It's us having to protect us.

Now, if we went off somewhere in a corner and whined about it and said, "Whoa is us," then to be characterized as victims would be appropriate. However, that is not the case. Kia Vaughn has made a personal decision to get some recourse on having her life unfairly disrupted. This is not what she signed up for. So, instead of taking an AK-47 and taking out folks, she decided to exercise her constitutional right to have her case heard in a court of law. Sounds like pretty civil behavior to me.

Yet, in order to defend the indefensible, there are those who are quick to refer to a Black woman - or hell any woman for that matter - who decides to say one just can't characterize us anyway one chooses just because one has the power of the microphone. With that kind of power - whether one wishes to acknowledge it or not - comes responsibility and consequences.

So, take note, the ones who are quick to refer to us as self-proclaimed victims when we decide to use civil means to defend our honor and dignity are the real whiners and babies. They are the "victocrats." They are the true self-proclaimed victims.

Message to those whiners: Grow up! You are so quick to tell everyone else to take it like a man, start showing us how a man is suppose to take it and then - and only then - we might consider that you have some advice worth taking. Show respect and dignity to the givers of life upon this earth.

We are here to stay. Get over it!

Your permission is not necessary to exercise our basic human and American rights for self-preservation. Now that's not the talk of a victim.