Posted by A while back, the radio host Don Imus was fired for his comments that the Rutgers University women’s basketball team looked like a bunch of “nappy-headed ho’s”. The comments led to a maelstrom of criticism of Imus for insensitivity, ignorance and possible racism.
I believe Imus’ firing was more than justified but the reason I’m writing about it today is to discuss the issue of free speech and the extent to which it can be taken. I have heard some people on the Right defend Imus’ comments by saying that if you don’t like what he said, don’t tune into his radio program. Maybe.
This defense is also a larger part of the Right’s abhorrence of Political Correctness. They wrap themselves in the cloak of the First Amendment’s protection of Free Speech to defend anything that is crude and lacking in thought, nuance and refinement. Shock jocks, Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, Michelle Malkin, Anne Coulter.
However, Freedom of Speech does not constitute freedom from criticism. It is absolutely true that Imus was and still is entitled to say anything he wants, bigoted or not. But it is also a truism that I and many others are entitled to go after him for his comments. If he truly had the courage of his convictions, that these young ladies whom he didn’t know were “nappy-headed ho’s” he would have defended what he said. He could easily have gone on the ‘net and written articles and posted podcasts about nappy-headed ho’s.
When you say something stupid, you cannot hide behind the First Amendment in order to escape criticism. Said criticism does not materially infringe on your right to continue to say something stupid or bigoted or racist. Whether Imus is truly bigoted or racist is not at issue. Your employer is fully entitled to fire you if they do not care for what you say.
I’m a huge fan of satire and sardonic humor. But sometimes people cross the line and they get burned. So be it. I can legally be fired by my company for writing this article if they find I have crosst some barrier. That’s what happened to Imus. The maelstrom that engulfed him was nothing but the culmination of a dialogue about the appropriateness of what he said.
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