That was back in the year 2000. Seven years ago. SEVEN YEARS AGO. We're to overlook Imus' race-baiting bigotry because, you know, it's just a one-time indiscretion. Better we look at the totality of his work, we're told. Fine. Look at the totality of his work. The man's show has been racist for years. And even more interesting, back in 2000 Imus promised to stop the bigotry - so he was on notice before of his "problem," and he broke his promise.
A few of the slurs from Imus' show back in 2000, courtesy of TomPaine.com (they raised the issue of Imus' hate back in 2000):
A sample of the Imus team's routine sport:In classic form, Imus reportedly distanced himself from the worst of the slurs as the show went on. Just like he did when his producer talked about murdering gays and knocking over Jewish tombstones 3 weeks ago. Imus always demurs when his cohosts go bigoted - again, and again, and again. It's part of his schtick. His racist, homophobic, misogynist schtick. And he's been doing it for at least seven years.
On the New York Knicks: "chest-bumping pimps� the New York Crips."
On superstar Gloria Estefan: "this little Chihuahua-looking 'ho."
On serial gay-killer Andrew Cunannan: "Why are they bothering to catch this guy? He's just whacking off freaks!"
On Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, a Native American: "The guy from F Troop."
On CNN's female anchors: "dyke-ie broads."
On media critic Howard Kurtz: "boner-nosed, beanie-wearing Jew boy."
But don't be fooled. Imus has said enough slurs himself, including the following about a black critic that he said in 2001:
I wish I had known he was African American I could have included that in my attacks on him, but I attacked him as if he were a real person -- ha ha.So spare us the "it was only one slip of the tongue" crap. You're listening to vintage Imus. It's who he is.
NB Read MUCH MORE about Imus' bigotry, circa the year 2000, here.
