Hue and Cry to Fire Don Imus

His Apology for "Racial Slur" Not Good Enough

Radio shock jock, Don Imus has apologized for calling members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" on his nationally syndicated radio program Imus in the Morning. Imus said the remarks made on his show were "insensitive and ill-conceived" and "thoughtless and stupid." He went on to say: "It was completely inappropriate, and we can understand why people were offended."

Bryan Monroe, president of the National Association of Black Journalists called for Don Imus to be fired over this latest incident, in a long string of outrageous bigoted remarks that have been made on Imus' show. Monroe, who also is the vice president and editorial director for Ebony and Jet magazines in Chicago, said: "Has he lost his mind? Those comments were beyond offensive. Imus needs to be fired. Today."

After Imus described Tennessee's players (also a predominantly black team) as "cute," his producer, Bernard McGuirk, went on to call the matchup "the Jigaboos vs. the Wannabees." A lot of people are incensed over these remarks as well; however, the reference comes right out of Spike Lee's 1988 film "School Daze," which included the musical number "Straight and Nappy" performed by the Jigaboos & Wannabees Chorus.

Imus is and always has been an equal opportunity insulter. He has repeatedly called Arabs "ragheads." He has called Hilary Clinton "Satan." He has called Bill Clinton "a rapist." No, wait - that was McGuirk. In 2000, Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page, appeared on Imus to have Imus take a pledge to refrain from further racist comments.

Here's part of the transcript from that incident: (Aug. 17, 2001, "All Things Considered" - National Public Radio):