Imus fired, speaks
After making sexual and racist comments earlier this week, Don Imus met with the Rutgers women’s basketball team Thursday night, just hours after being fired from CBS.
Head coach C. Vivian Stringer said on Friday that the team accepted Imus’ apology and are in the process of forgiving, CNN.com reported.
The team had played for the NCAA women’s national championship last week, losing to Tennessee. On Imus’ radio show, he called the players “nappy-headed hoes.� The derogatory language left many people outraged and shocked, which set off a national debate. The story could be seen on television shows from CNN to Sportscenter.
The issue even brought Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson into the mix. Imus apologized on air last week and tried to explain himself on Sharpton’s radio show. Sharpton has become a key player with the issue, and said he will continue to peruse people who make similar comments in the media. Sharpton applauded the firing of Imus, calling it “a victory in the battle against abuse of the airwaves.�
Imus, who was once named one of the 25 Most Influential People in America by Time magazine and a member of the National Broadcasters Hall of Fame, was one of radio’s original “shock jocks.� He’s always been controversial, MSNBC.com reported.
The Rutgers team has spoken of their hurt by the comments frequently throughout the week. They have received some hate e-mails from Imus fans, but have received numerous positive e-mails as well, MSNBC.com reported. The team insisted that it had never called for Imus to be fired.
Another issue for CBS is the financial hit it will take without Imus. Imus’ program earns about $15 million in annual revenue for CBS. Imus’ own show fundraiser also had raised more than $1.3 million up until Thursday, when he was fired.
Both of the articles have numerous video clips realting to the controversy. Videos include comments from Sharpton, Coach Stringer, Imus himself and CBS president Leslie Moonves.