Editor,
The treatment of radio personality Don Imus stinks. It's a typical one-way street.
Let's recap - African-Americans can perform rap songs on the air and in live performances referencing women as "hos" or "bitches," calling each other the n-word and talking about killing cops. A white guy does it one time by referring to the Rutgers women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos," and he gets a lot of grief from overzealous moral analysts.
Brothers of the world, if you don't want anybody other than African-Americans to say these words, then clean up your own act. Nobody - black, white, brown or green - should be saying these disgusting racial slurs. You can't have it both ways. I urge the African-American community to step up and stand above hypocrisy. The music you support certainly doesn't inspire respect and only enhances racism.
On the other hand, Imus, who made a regretful "slip of the tongue," is a brash, outspoken, over-the-top radio host. But he is not a racist. He criticizes anyone and everyone with equal vigor. People need to realize he has made equal and fair humorous remarks concerning various taboo topics involving celebrities, politics, homosexuality, abortion and religion. In this case, he made a stupid, out-of-order comment, and he has apologized sincerely for the remark. That should be enough.
He should not have to denigrate himself further - and certainly not to the Rev. Al Sharpton, who has his own closet full of skeletons, going back to Tawana Brawley.
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Let's not forget Imus' ranch in New Mexico for children with cancer, or his effort to raise money for a rehabilitation center for wounded veterans in San Antonio to name just two items worthy of praise. He has done more than most in giving to those in need and should be applauded for it.
Let's move on.
Daniel S. Martinez
UNM student
