The Sports Doctor Thanks Don Imus (yes I know, another opinion on Don Imus)
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by user AWeiner18
When I think of a journalist and a doctor, I think of the most important trait an individual could possess: the ability to impact others and to cure problems that appear to be vague. A doctor examines the human body whereas the opinionated journalist examines the population. While a journalist impacts by writing how that journalist views the world and opines what needs to be done, a doctor gets into the mechanical aspects by examining a patient and putting he or she through surgery or treatment to cure the problem. After getting fired at CBS, I can now classify Don Imus as both a doctor and a journalist because he is about to conduct brain surgery and has impacted others through his words.
The United States of America has needed this surgery for centuries to repair all the horrible thoughts and ideas that have been processed in this world, such as racism, discrimination, and violence. When “Imus in the Morning” was killed after CBS and MSNBC (his radio program was simulcast on their channel) removed the life-support, Imus did not attempt to fight it off and attempt to regain consciousness. Instead, he is conducting the surgery by turning his situation into a statement: if I, Imus, can get fired for saying something that others believe are racist and discriminating, then you should get fired too.
Before he was dismissed, Imus' face appeared on the front cover of Time Magazine on April 23, 2007. Right above his forehead read “What the Imus implosion tells us about the boundaries of acceptable talk” and with a sticky note covering his mouth, “Who can say what?” His comments have now created a debate: who has the right to offend and what will the consequences be?
His actions will make our society turn Justin Timberlake’s song “What Goes Around Comes Back Around” into something meaningful by telling employers not to support those who offend someone. Imus’ actions will hopefully put the Ozzie Guillens, the Rosie O’Donnells, the Michael Richards and the Mel Gibsons to rest by making sure employers reflect on the Imus case before pulling their employee off life support if they ever say an inappropriate comment.
Insensitive, discriminating, and racist comments should not exist in this society—and the Imus event that has occurred will hopefully make people think. Is the humorous Chris Rock funny when he says, “not a white man with a penny hates more than a n _ _ _ _ _ with a nickel” or downright inappropriate? Will people laugh when Sarah Silverman says “I love chinks”? Does Gibson deserve a second chance after saying, “F _ _ _ ing Jews…the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world?” Lastly, will rappers such as Ludacris get a free pass when they sing lyrics such as “So move bitch, get out the way ho/All you faggot mother f___ers make way…” (from Ludacris’ song “Move Bitch”)?
While these questions might not be answered right away, the surgery will start the next time a public celebrity says something inappropriate on the television, in the newspaper, or on live radio. Most importantly, I just hope people will start to recognize that Imus, whether intentional or not, has ended up playing the role of a doctor and journalist because his horrible comments may result in actions and that will impact this society for years to come.
Don Imus: you have fulfilled the role of both a doctor and a journalist.
