Addressing racial issues in America is a lot like being trapped in Groundhog Day.
Edward Gilbreath | posted 4/13/2007 03:00PM
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We, the Rutgers University Scarlet Knight basketball team, accept — accept — Mr. Imus's apology, and we are in the process of forgiving. … [His] comments are indicative of greater ills in our culture. It is not just Mr. Imus, and we hope that this will be and serve as a catalyst for change. Let us continue to work hard together to make this world a better place.
The young women of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights recognize the importance of using this latest racial scandal as an opportunity for deeper understanding, deeper truth. Don Imus's unfortunate words could be our chance to finally move on to February 3.
We Can Overcome | A CT forum examines the subtle nature of the church's racial division—and offers hope. (October 2, 2000)
Divided by Faith? | A recent study argues that American evangelicals cannot foster genuine racial reconciliation. Is our theology to blame? (October 2, 2000)
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Prejudice, like the poor, we'll always have with us. It is just human nature - to feel most comfortable with people who are like you. It is extremely rare to meet someone of ANY race who is not prejudiced, although almost all will deny that they are prejudiced. Prejudice is simply expecting people of other groups to BE and ACT a certain way before you meet or get to know them.
Racism is another, much more serious (and sinful), thing . The racist wishes ill for people of other races regardless of how good or bad they turn out to be. The prejudiced person expects people of other races to behave in a certain unacceptable way, but when it turns out that they are not that way, he treats them as if they are the same as himself. He gets pleasantly surprised.
Prejudice is in the mind and can be changed by gaining deeper understanding. Racism comes out of the heart and needs a serious touch from God.
William
Posted: April 22, 2007 11:59 PM
I am disappointed by the offensive and ungentlemanly comments made by Don Imus. He is a radio personality I listened to many years ago and found to be thought provoking and entertaining if provocative. The women he referred to deserve praise and respect for their accomplishments on and off the basketball court. Imus' comments were insulting to and grossly inappropriate for these women. His dismissal was an appropriate response to economic forces in the entertainment business.
It also disturbs and distresses me that so little is said about rap "artists" referring to black women in the same terms or worse. No one seems to care about that.
It has been written, "A member of an ethnic group who tells a joke about that group is a "wit;" a member of another group who tells the same joke is a "bigot." I hope Imus' critics, including the reverend Mr. Jackson or Sharpton, will follow up their rhetoric about his comments with rhetoric about similar language used by rap "artists."
George Williams
Posted: April 20, 2007 8:41 PM
My take on the whole thing is to be insulted by Imus' claim that the remarks were accidental or offhand. I come from a part of the country where there is a certain dialect, and I occasionally will slip and use the term "y'all" when I should be more formal. That is a slip. If, however, I were to say, "Youse guys," that would be a deliberate choice of words, because I have never lived any place that this would be local dialect. Imus made remarks that might be considered a normal slip--but not for any white American less than 105 years old. It isn't a "double standard." People cannot accidentally slip and say things that they are not prone to say naturally. I do not believe that Imus' background contains anything that would suggest he ever used the term "ho" in private conversation with his own family. Just my take on it.
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