Monday, November 26, 2007


The New York Post reports that Don Imus is set to return to radio on December 3 but rather than simply being left in an insulated micro phoned box with nothing but his own marketably racist stream of consciousness mind to keep him company, he’s bringing a co-host with him. The Post suggests that this is a good idea and they go on to suggest someone black citing Robin Quivers as a perfect example of how a black woman has kept formulaically shock focused white man Howard Stern out of trouble by steering him away from misogyny and racism.

That’s all very well and whatever, but it’s interesting that this is how long it has taken America to essentially forgive Imus for being racist. Well, lets wait and see how he rates first. Despite the sappy, emotional monologues delivered by NBC and CBS executives explaining their actions, when he was let go it was entirely about public outrage and the flow on effect that outrage had on advertising revenue; all of a sudden the balance was upset so he had to go. Now, what? He’s been cleansed of it? America’s forgotten? He was fired on April 12 from CBS and here he is, back again on December 3. Back on April 12, CBS CEO Les Moonves was quoted as saying:

“There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society,” CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said in announcing the decision. “That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision.”

Apparently that’s how long it takes to ensure that a network’s conscience is clear when it comes to the well being of young people of color. It takes just under 7 months. Bread takes like 4 hours to rise, little cups of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream takes like 6 minutes to defrost enough to eat it and racism takes 7 months to cleanse and be marketable again. [source]

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