Press Release

NAHJ Condemns Radio Host Don Imus for Racial Remarks

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists joins the National Association of Black Journalists in condemning radio broadcaster Don Imus for his vile and indefensible remarks made April 4 about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. We, too, call for the broadcaster’s resignation or dismissal.

Imus referred to the athletes, most of whom are African American, as “some nappy headed hos” on his WFAN-AM radio show, simulcast on MSNBC. This is his schtick.

Degrading. Derogatory. Demeaning. Don Imus.

“In all the times I’ve personally spoken out about offensive comments made by commentators, so-called humorists and journalists, I have never advocated for someone to lose his or her job. Until now,” said NAHJ President Rafael Olmeda.

NAHJ’s objection is not to just one comment. Imus has a pathetic yet well-documented history of resorting to racist, sexist and homophobic commentary in his program. Last March, for example, he used a Spanish anti-gay slur to describe his producer, Bernard McGuirk, during an interview with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who, sadly, joined him by repeating the slur. He has repeatedly called Arab Americans “rag heads.” And he wondered aloud last November whether anyone had seen a “fat Chinaman.”

A guest had Imus promise six years ago to end the use of racial slurs on his program, including references to African Americans as Colt-45 drinkers, muggers and thugs. Yet the offenses continue.

Imus now refers to his latest infraction as an “accident,” as though one could accidentally spew unprovoked, vile, racist invective. This was no accident. It was part of a pattern of callous disrespect for the athletes and utter indifference to racial dignity. He says there are some people you can’t make fun of, but what Imus did wasn’t making “fun.” It was bigotry once again looking for a hiding place behind humor.

His apology on Friday, April 6, is too little, too late. Actually, it was too early, mumbled at 6 a.m. and not repeated for the rest of the broadcast. Now he says the climate on his show “has to change.” We agree, starting with the host.

“Imus has freedom of speech. His employers have freedom of association, and if they continue to associate themselves with his patently offensive comments, they show that they are more concerned with ratings and publicity than they are with race relations and the quality of public discourse,” said Olmeda. “Enough is enough. Can him.”