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-   -   Don Imus and nappy headded hos..... (http://www.sowpub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3897)

James Anthony April 12, 2007 09:10 PM

Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Why are we Americans so damn sensitive to this crap?

Don Imus is about as much a racist as Don Alm is a liberal.

But when he makes an innocent comment, all in fun, his big sponsers like Staples and American Express pull out and cause him to get fired.

I don't get it.

What I do get is that I'll be cutting up my American Express card and my Staples card tonight and will never do business with them again.

Jim

Sandi Bowman April 12, 2007 10:00 PM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Hi, Jim,

Guess I missed what your post is about somewhere along the line. Care to let the rest of us in on it? Sounds interesting.

Sandi Bowman

James Anthony April 12, 2007 10:14 PM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Imus was fired today for a comment he made last week, calling a mostly black womans college basketball team "nappy headed hos"

It was all done in fun.

The firing probably would have never happened if his sponsers hadn't pulled out.

The part that really bugs me is that he was called out and put through the fire by two of the biggest racists on the planet. The Rev. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson.

Just google "Don Imus" and you'll get 1000 news reports.

Jim

Dien Rice April 12, 2007 10:36 PM

I don't see the problem...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by James Anthony (Post 14954)
Why are we Americans so damn sensitive to this crap?

Don Imus is about as much a racist as Don Alm is a liberal.

But when he makes an innocent comment, all in fun, his big sponsers like Staples and American Express pull out and cause him to get fired.

I don't get it.

What I do get is that I'll be cutting up my American Express card and my Staples card tonight and will never do business with them again.

Hi Jim,

The way I see it is...

A lot of people were apparently offended by his remarks... And it made the news (so even people who weren't his listeners knew about it)...

I think there may have been protests - to him AND to his sponsors. Of course, people are free to protest all they want...

Sponsors are in it for the money. If they feel this will hurt the bottom line, then they're going to make a decision based on that. And similarly, the radio station is in it for the money too - without sponsors, there's no money.

Anyway, basically, I don't see the "problem". Everyone was free to do what they did. Don Imus was free to say what he said, people were free to protest, sponsors are free to pull out, and Don Imus's employer was free to fire him.

Of course, you're also free to cut up your American Express and Staples cards in response too.... If you're incensed enough, you can even start your own "rehire Don Imus" campaign... Or maybe offer to run some of your own ads on his show, if he gets a new one...

Also, Don Imus is still free to say what he wants - he can even start his own radio station if he has the means. Or another radio station can hire him, if they want (which may happen, who knows, if he has a loyal enough audience)...

By the way, I know nothing about Don Imus apart from this incident. We don't get his show "downunder"!

- Dien

Phil April 13, 2007 12:03 AM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Might as well have the whole story & more...

CBS fires Don Imus from radio show
After racist remark, legendary broadcaster couldn't escape growing protest
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18072804/?GT1=9246

Don Imus called Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos" and "Jigaboos"!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF9BjB7Bzr0

Lots of Opinions on this one...
http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/th...hreadID=251060

One "HOT" Topic... :)

Lots of People will be "Cashing" in on Don Imus... Keyword phrases and other related stuff... ;)

Phil

James Anthony April 13, 2007 12:08 AM

Re: I don't see the problem...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dien Rice (Post 14957)
Hi Jim,

The way I see it is...

A lot of people were apparently offended by his remarks... And it made the news (so even people who weren't his listeners knew about it)...


The way I see it is that people weren't offended until Jackson & Sharpton jumped in and told everyone they should be offended.

It was nothing more than 3 little words that were probably not the best choice of words, but certainly nothing that could offend the entire country.

It got blown totally out of proportion by people with their own agenda and by the media who think that it's somehow cool for people to get behind racial issues.

Walk a mile through any town in this country and you will hear a lot worse things said than "nappy headed ho"

It deserved a laugh, not a firing.

Imus is a good guy who does a lot of good and raises a lot of money for some great causes.

He deserves to keep on doing what he's doing.

If anyone in this whole situation should be looked at for their racial comments, it should be Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton.

Jim

Ankesh April 13, 2007 12:25 AM

Re: Boycotts are a bad idea if...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by James Anthony (Post 14954)
What I do get is that I'll be cutting up my American Express card and my Staples card tonight and will never do business with them again.

Jim


Boycotts are a bad idea if they aren't widely accepted and implemented.

You need to do something different to be effective.

Chances are even Don Imus won't be boycotting them. You'll only end up paying higher prices elsewhere and hurting yourself.

Don't cut the cards. If you feel so strongly about the matter, put them in the freezer for a little while. You'll feel differently after a couple of months.

And in the mean time - you'll be able to see if your temporary boycott indeed did hurt the companies or not...

Btw - its not only America that is sensitive to such remarks. People all over the world has this tendency of going ballistic at "humour."

James Anthony April 13, 2007 12:26 AM

BTW...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dien Rice (Post 14957)
If you're incensed enough, you can even start your own "rehire Don Imus" campaign...


I don't get incensed. I don't even get mad. It's rare that I'm even angry.

Actually, I'm smiling and laughing pretty much all the time - that gets me into a bit of trouble sometimes.

I do, however, have a low tolerance for stupid crap.

It may sound angry at times, but in reality, I'm usually laughing at the stupidity of it all.

Like now.

Jim:D

James Anthony April 13, 2007 12:32 AM

Re: Boycotts are a bad idea if...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ankesh (Post 14960)
Boycotts are a bad idea if they aren't widely accepted and implemented.

You need to do something different to be effective.


Thanks Ankesh.

I wasn't actually trying to organize a boycott or be effective about anything here.

I probably just did like Don Imus and said something that sounded good at the moment but made no sense in reality.

You are right, it's probably a stupid idea and I'll probably think differently in the morning.

Jim

Ankesh April 13, 2007 12:51 AM

Re: Fighting Stupidity with Ridicule
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by James Anthony (Post 14959)
The way I see it is that people weren't offended until Jackson & Sharpton jumped in and told everyone they should be offended.


What I like about such cases is they offer a glimpse into the mind of the masses.

1. By adding laughing tracks to comedy shows, the producers ended up making the shows more funny. The content was the same. But the laughing tracks in the background allowed people to know when it was "safe" to find the content funny - and increased their enjoyment in the process.

2. Stage artists all over the world always hire people to join the audiences to clap or gasp at the right moments -- for the same reason.

3. A few centuries ago (especially during Mozart's era) - people judged how successful the stage show will be - not on the shows merit - but on the fact how many times the King yawned. If you get a tired King to watch your show - you're doomed!

4. Today, people look up to people like Jackson and Sharpton to make their decisions for them. If such people are going through a lean phase and don't have much to do - you're very very unlucky. Its not what you say that matters. Its how much attention the "influentials" want.

5. Having 250 news channels has just made matters worse. When they don't have much to show - they end up giving importance to the tiniest of footnotes.

The best thing imo - is not to defend the message (what Don Imus said). But to try and dis-credit the messengers (Jackson and Sharpton are moist robots who have a poor sense of humour and crave attention).

But you need a very strong personality to discredit the messenger. It could get very ugly.

FirstBorn April 13, 2007 10:04 AM

Claquers and Canned Laughter
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ankesh (Post 14963)
What I like about such cases is they offer a glimpse into the mind of the masses.

1. By adding laughing tracks to comedy shows, the producers ended up making the shows more funny. The content was the same. But the laughing tracks in the background allowed people to know when it was "safe" to find the content funny - and increased their enjoyment in the process.

2. Stage artists all over the world always hire people to join the audiences to clap or gasp at the right moments -- for the same reason.

3. A few centuries ago (especially during Mozart's era) - people judged how successful the stage show will be - not on the shows merit - but on the fact how many times the King yawned. If you get a tired King to watch your show - you're doomed!


claque (klăk) pronunciation
n.

1. A group of persons hired to applaud at a performance.
2. A group of fawning admirers.
Hi Ankesh,

Thanks for mentioning the Paid Participation / "Canned Laughter" above.

These people paid to be participants in the audience were called:
Claquers.
... and the TV version of "Canned Laughter" and responses on TV Shows are explained more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laugh_track

What about Adcopy / Written Advertising / and Written Products?

What can be used to create 'Claqued Copy?'
... and possibly, 'Claqued Ebooks,' etc...

Something like Claque for the Written Word?

Is there such a thing?

Christopher

PS. The Definition of Claque above was found here:
http://www.answers.com/topic/claque

Don Alm April 13, 2007 10:26 AM

Hey Kaiser!
 
For once you and I are on the same page.

Thanks for posting.

DA

James Anthony April 13, 2007 11:54 AM

Hey Don
 
Yes, he is serious.

bobmcalister April 13, 2007 12:08 PM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
anyone checked this out

http://www.nappyheadedhos.com

what a world ..

Sandi Bowman April 13, 2007 01:22 PM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
One way you can introduce claque technology to websites is through the use of audio...just record your own, attach it to the file, auto play where you want and voila!

Actually there is a small utility that has laugh tracks and other sounds ready made for computer use. Not sure I still have it but someone offered it through the Warrior Forum back when I used to frequent it. You could have from a chuckle to a hearty carnival laugh, among other sounds.

Sandi Bowman

Unregistered April 13, 2007 05:58 PM

Re: Hey Don
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by James Anthony (Post 14977)
Yes, he is serious. .

Sometimes Don and I like to play with the forum. It's all in good fun.
Jim


yet again, appropriate action has been taken on Don Imus, Don Alm and Jim Kaiser.

There are other forums, ya know?

Don Alm April 13, 2007 07:24 PM

WOW!
 
...
Have fun.

Don Alm

Unregistered April 13, 2007 07:54 PM

Re: WOW!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Alm (Post 14984)
...
Have fun.

Don Alm


WHAMMO !!!

Unregistered April 14, 2007 11:01 AM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Hey Jim, I'm just curious about YOUR response and your thoughts about the nation's response to this scenario...

Don Imus is commentating on a basketball game that your mom is playing in as well as your sister, your little daughter, the First Lady, and other highly affluent Caucasian women. And he says, "man, these are some really skanky ho bitches."

James Anthony April 14, 2007 11:48 AM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 14994)
Hey Jim, I'm just curious about YOUR response and your thoughts about the nation's response to this scenario...

Don Imus is commentating on a basketball game that your mom is playing in as well as your sister, your little daughter, the First Lady, and other highly affluent Caucasian women. And he says, "man, these are some really skanky ho bitches."


I really don't think it would bother me if it was done in the same manner as the "nappy headed hos" comment.

Look at the source - Imus - It's just his style and he was trying to be funny and not offensive.

Maybe I've got thicker skin for that kind of stuff than most people but it really doesn't bother me at all.

Now, if it was done in a different context, that would make all the difference in the world. If it was said in an obvious hateful manner, then I would be very offended.

I've personally worked with a lot of Mexicans over the years and we are always making fun of each other and blowing our cultural differences way out of proportion all in the name of fun.

I'm not even going to post here what I call them or what they call me because someone will likely twist it into something that it's not. Let's just say that in a different context, it would be much more offensive than "nappy headed hos" but we all have fun with it and nobody gets offended.

A few years ago I hired a gay guy to manage one of my shops. We were clearly on extreme different ends of the spectrum but we were able to make fun of each other and say things that would likely be called "hate" comments if they were used outside of our conversations.

I've worked very closely (and still do) with a couple of Mormon kids. Don't even get me started there. Those conversations are always just fun and usually end with one of them laughing and saying "You're going straight to hell"

But here's the thing.....

If arguments ever occur, none of that stuff comes into play. We all know that there's a time and a place for it and when to have fun with it and when it's not appropriate.

Some people are obviously not smart enough to understand the difference. Jackson, Sharpton, and their followers come to mind.

BTW - I'm not trying to defend Don Imus's comments and I would say that it was delivered to the wrong audience. I'm just saying that people have made it into a much bigger issue than it should have been and the punishment in this situation far exceeded the "crime"

Jim

Joetrevison April 14, 2007 12:51 PM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Hi I got fired a few years ago from a school I worked for sometime teaching accounting, taxes, software, and Payroll. There was a teacher that said we could not teach, she meant all the teachers but her. I went crazy. And when she went buy I gave her a Forearm salute forearm over foream someone told the owner and I gotted canned. Then I went full time in my business which I also had at the same time.

I make more money now than he paid me. Don Imus is a millionaire he has nothing to worry about. I wasn't a millionaire.

Unregistered April 14, 2007 03:22 PM

Re: Don Imus and nappy headded hos.....
 
Maybe their were other reasons you gotted canned...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joetrevison (Post 14996)
Hi I got fired a few years ago from a school I worked for sometime teaching accounting, taxes, software, and Payroll. There was a teacher that said we could not teach, she meant all the teachers but her. I went crazy. And when she went buy I gave her a Forearm salute forearm over foream someone told the owner and I gotted canned. Then I went full time in my business which I also had at the same time.

I make more money now than he paid me. Don Imus is a millionaire he has nothing to worry about. I wasn't a millionaire.


Ankesh April 14, 2007 06:07 PM

Re: Claquers and Canned Laughter
 
Ah - lots of small things you can do to give people hints as to what they should do on a website.

1. Ask yourself what you want the people to do.
2. What hints can you provide them that gets them to do what you want them to do.

One eg: just adding the mouse pointer picture to the buy button will increase your sales.

Instead of the button saying "Buy Now" - let it say "Buy Now" and have a picture of mouse pointer next to it - which lets people know that they should click there.

You can do a lot of such things with

colour
layout
linking
pictures and
words

that will let them subtly know what they should do. Sound is not necessary.

Unregistered April 14, 2007 09:51 PM

Re: I understand what you're saying but...
 
You might want to understand the reasons of others who ARE offended especially if what is said CAN be construed as offensive. I'm saying this from one intellectual to another. (Not to start an argument or pick a fight.)

For the most part, we ALL insult or make fun of each other to have a few laughs. But it's usually done in a private manner and with people who know our intentions. However, should you move to a more public forum and say the very same things, they are (or can be) interpreted differently. I'm sure you understand the point I'm making here. Because you know that as much as you trade friendly insults with your Mexican friends, you're smart enough to know that in certain situations you wouldn't dare say those things - for obvious reasons.

By the way, I'm similar to you in that I don't get offended very easily at all -- especially with words. But I do understand that some things can be offensive to some people whether I agree with it or not. And therefore, I'm careful not to pass judgment on the offended.

James Anthony April 14, 2007 10:45 PM

Re: I understand what you're saying but...
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 15010)
You might want to understand the reasons of others who ARE offended especially if what is said CAN be construed as offensive. I'm saying this from one intellectual to another. (Not to start an argument or pick a fight.)


I think the reason that most people claim to be offended, is because they are being told that they should be. I understand your point, and I'm sure that a few people would have been offended by his comments, but nothing even close to what we are seeing. People with their own agenda are adding fuel to the fire and taking it way beyond reason.

Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

(and for those that disagree with me, that statement was far more offensive than Imus's because it was for real)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered (Post 15010)
For the most part, we ALL insult or make fun of each other to have a few laughs. But it's usually done in a private manner and with people who know our intentions. However, should you move to a more public forum and say the very same things, they are (or can be) interpreted differently. I'm sure you understand the point I'm making here. Because you know that as much as you trade friendly insults with your Mexican friends, you're smart enough to know that in certain situations you wouldn't dare say those things - for obvious reasons.


Yes, I totally agree and as I've already said, I think his comment was out of place on his show. I don't think it justified him being fired though, or even a suspension.

He recognized that he said something that he shouldn't have and he apologized for it. It was a sincere and heartfelt apology. It should have ended there, and would have if others didn't blow it up into something it wasn't.


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