I was asked to take my original comments on the blog Part II, When is an apology enough? by Aziz Abdur-Ra'oof and post them on their own. For those who read it, I will expand this a little. The expanded portions are in italics.

"Don Imus calls Rutgers basketball team.....blankety blankety blank......."

Sometimes I don't know what to say when issues like this come up. Most times I just want it to pass and simply ignore the ignorant people and carry on with life. But, honestly, its hard to do that.

The media constantly pounds it in your face. You have everyone associated with this incident almost interrogated constantly about there "feelings" or interpretations by the media types. One idiot says a few dumb comments and now everyone wants to know what brand of cereal these young women ate for every morning since they found out what Mr. Imus said.

In all honesty, when I first heard the headline teaser about a radio host in hot water for racial remarks, I thought it would be another ambiguous comment that the press was running with in the wrong direction again. (Sometimes our media is like "pro" wrestling. It's not going to sell without the trumped up drama...even if predictable) I heard and watched the actual tape of it later that day/evening. My jaw dropped to the floor.

Was I disgusted? Offended? Not even remotely. I KNOW there are racists around. I am not surprised by this. I just couldn't believe he said that so easily in public. THAT was the really interesting part. As a matter fact I chuckled to myself. I knew this would be around for a bit. And predictably...it was.

So what is really worse? Mr. Imus' comments or the trained and fashioned responses? First off, you don't see Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton unless its a photo op or something that could be construed as "big" enough for them to make a political statement. I really think they mean well, but, since when are they "leaders of the community"? I didn't elect them to speak for me. And they are usually full of more hot air than actual useful solutions.

We are a nation of short memories and instant dramas. We always have to find a cause to take up so that we can appear to be on the side of right. As soon as the media stops giving an issue air time or priority, it fades from our memories until the next flare up. (For example, think about this: Where were the lessons learned from the Oklahoma City bombing applied when it came to 9/11? Or did we forget too soon?) What a dumb circular cycle. This is one of the reasons other countries and cultures find us to be so foolish sometimes.

We see this phenomena played out daily with our celebrities, politicians, and so-called reality show melodramas. There is always something dumb said or done and an apology is written (usually by an agent or lawyer....but, its heartfelt...wink, wink, nudge, nudge) and we all either villify the person or swallow it hook, line, and sinker. Either way it won't matter because in 3 months we won't remember the supposed lessons learned.

I say ENOUGH.

In answer to the original question posed by Aziz's blog, an apology of just words is never enough. The measure of a true apology will be found in the future actions of Mr. Imus. It is not upon me to judge him. I think he has a history of being an idiot. The only way that moniker will change is not from any apology, suspension, or meeting with the "victims". That's a personal issue he is going to have to change.

And honestly, I don't care what some idiot says. I don't think all this is really news. WAIT!! NEWS FLASH...There are racists, biggots, and sexist people in the world. Geez, let us stop the press for this new discovery! Get real. This is not original news.

As a matter of fact, let me shock you some more with "new" news....Mr. Imus has a constitutional right to be as ignorant, stupid, malicious, or racist as he may want to be. And, technically, there isn't a thing we could or should do about it. People say that he should not say this sort of thing. Crap. Say it. At least we all know now what's in your heart! I have more respect for the blatant bigot, because then I know where a person stands. Its the back door and sneaky people that I really worry about.

Now that he has been fired I hear some talk of his freedom of speech being violated. Mr. Imus was not jailed, ordered flogged, or in any other way deprived of his liberties because of his words. His employers, however, do have the right to decide, at their discretion, what their public image will be. For the most part I don't care if he stayed on the air, I wouldn't listen to him. And the true measure of what we will stand for as a society is what we will or won't support or patronize.

I don't think we are just a nation of wimps as was suggested before in the aforementioned blog. We are also a nation of sheep. The media tells us what should be offensive and to what degree of offended we should be. I even see the reporters almost spoon feed people on how they should feel or how they should react to something. Offense is as individual as each person's taste in vanilla or chocolate. We all have our own reactions to things that happen.

What is lost is the fact that we allow this type of language to permeate our popular culture. Our kids think its the cool and in thing to talk about certain types of people or women in a certain way. When its blatantly put in front of our face we want to cry foul, but, we don't take a stand in our daily lives or practices. We call it "edgy" or "urban". How many of us have jokingly told an off color joke to someone in confidence just because we thought it was funny? I think we all have. Not that we harbor any ill will towards any particular group, we feel its justified in the name of the instant moment of humor. All Mr. Imus did was hold a mirror up to ourselves as an American society and most of us did not like the view. I know I didn't.

What ever happened to that "Great American Melting Pot" they sang about on Saturday mornings when I grew up? Maybe it was only an ideal, but, it sure could give us something to aspire toward.

There is a huge double standard when it comes to relating to one another. Certain people are allowed to say certain things? What is that crap about? I can say it because I am allowed to slam my own race, but, you can't? Absolutely brilliant thinking.

Respect is the operative word. Respect is not refraining from making dumb comments. It is wrapping your mind around the concept that all people deserve the same amount of consideration you would like. It is actually taking a moment to just appreciate and perhaps embrace the differences in each other. Its about understanding that there ARE differences and, quite frankly....so what?!

AR is an ever expanding community of real estate and mortgage-related professionals. Even on here I have seen some "edgy" language and blatant character assasination attempts. But, why? To prove one person or their view is superior to another's? This seems to be the old bully mentality let me try to make myself bigger by tearing you down.

Disagreement itself is actually good. Differing opinions is great for debate and growth. Disrespect destroys families, communities, and eventually, societies.

I am a man of African descent, but, I fail to see where that entitles me to or eliminates me from anything. Its a rich heritage and I am proud of it as I would hope everyone is of their own respective heritages. But, I am an individual that is capable of forging my own paths.

Each of us has to examine ourselves. Where will we draw our own ethical and moral lines? Will we draw them only in public speech or will it actually trickle down to our private actions? 

We have to take responsibility for our thoughts and habits as well as our periodic actions our thoughts produce.

I am somewhat glad Mr. Imus opened his big mouth. It sure has driven home alot of lessons inadvertantly. But, the question is, have we actually paid attention to them all, or just the "sexy" and hot topic of the moment?

Thanks Don. But, will this lesson be truly taken to heart?

Al and Jesse, you can head home now. The camera lights are fading.

*Update*

Aziz has provided a link in the comments that I wanted to add to the original post. This article by Jason Whitlock, who sometimes appears on ESPN's "Sports Reporters". I think this article is telling.

It's title is simple...Imus isn't the real bad guy. Enjoy