RIng the Bell

I'm sure all of you know, but allow me to give my 98 cents so with your 2 cents we got a dollar.

Don Imus has come into some hot water as of late for comments he made pertaining to the female Rutger's' basketball team members.

His comments included a comparison to a Spike Lee movie "Do the Right the Thing" as well as some other "on the fence" racial remarks. I'm not going to quote anything because I don't feel like listening to Don Imus' voice again.

I absolutely cannot not stand Imus or his radio show, it is far from entertaining and he's about as old Jesus, so trust me, it pains me to say he is not in the wrong.

The other day Reverend Al Sharpton went on one of his tirade, "Don Imus should be fired for his racist comments." After confronting Imus, he retains his position for the radio talk show host to be terminated. Yesterday, Imus' cable television show was cancelled due to the turbulence. Sharpton, as usually shined an unneeded spotlight on a subject that would otherwise probably never make even the back page of any newspaper, now it is headlining news.

I do not like Sharpton much either, I think his philosophies set back civil rights not only for black people, but the human race. As I am a firm believer in the one race mentality, people like Sharpton continue to create conflict amongst people. Sharpton is far from a healthy role model in the fight for equality, how can one have any validity if they make a mountain out of mole hill. It seems if anyone makes a comment that could be considered racist, Sharpton is there to magnify the situation. He looks for racism, and in doing so sets us (everyone) back in the struggle for equality.

Moving on to a much larger topic, FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Firing someone for speaking their mind, Woooo if that isn't an injustice, I don't know what is. I do not in anyway condon racism, but no one should loose their job, especially a radio personality for making comments that can be misconstrued as racist. If someone makes a blatant racist comment in a threatening manner, then yes I would prefer to see that individual terminated, but Imus' job is to talk, journalists' job is to report, our First Amendment is designed to protect us, and people like Sharpton turn our words around and present them in a manipulated fashion, denying us our freedom.

Needless to say, Imus is receiving the brunt of the backlash. As long as race continues to be a delicate subject, we will go nowhere in our fight to achieve equality. Thanks Reverend.

Respect,

Mr. Greg