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Rutgers Women's Basketball Team Reacts to Imus
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 11, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 11, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Almost a week after radio host and "shock jock" Don Imus and his producer called the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappyheaded ho" and "hardcore hos," the team and other university officials spoke out. And the consensus all around is that they are classy, inspiring, and leaders of today.
The university had initially released a statement condemning Imus's words, but the team captain Essence Carson explained the press conference by saying, "At first we thought to let it slide, but when we read the transcript, we decided it was unacceptable." Carson added, "He's a broadcaster that gets his show across to so many people. Can you imagine how many people thought, 'Maybe there is some truth to this'?" Another player, Heather Zurich, said, "All of our accomplishments were lost. Our moment was taken away. We were stripped of this moment by the degrading comments made by Mr. Imus."
Rutgers president Richard McCormick said, "Mr. Imus' comments were offensive to the Rutgers University community, as well as the entire nation. In this difficult time, we must make an increased commitment to tolerance, civility and equality," while the team coach, C. Vivian Stringer gave a passionate, 15-minute speech, asking, "It’s not about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. It’s about women. Are women hos? Think about that. Would you have wanted your daughter to have been called that?"
The team has also agreed to meet with Imus, but the university did not say where or when the meeting would take place. For his part, Imus tried to explain himself on the Today show, with the Reverend Al Sharpton also present. Imus tries to say that the disparaging terms originated in the black community and complains that Sharpton wasn't as brave a man as himself. Watch it:
The Daily News has two fascination columns: One by Errol Louis who laments Imus's words and attitude and one from Mike Lupica who finds the Rutgers women's basketball team graceful but doesn't think his friend Don Imus should be fired. The NY Times' Alessandra Stanley looks at Imus's appearance on the Today show and questions Imus saying his radio show "is not 'Meet the Press": "Actually, it is: 'Imus in the Morning' is the place where fans who don’t watch Tim Russert’s talk show get a chance to hobnob with writers for The New York Times, NBC correspondents and Newsweek columnists."
Staples and Miralus Healthcare have pulled its ads from Imus's MSNBC show, while Procter & Gamble have taken its ads off of all MSNBC daytime for now. The NY Times reports that Imus's radio program generates $20 million in revenue for CBS and WFAN and his TV simulcast makes $50 million for MSNBC. But experts believe Imus will survive.
And there are three protests planned against Imus today: One at City Hall this morning, one at the Rutgers Newark campus and the Rutgers New Brunswick campus.
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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