"Whitey plucked you from the jungle..." This is a quote from the "Imus in the Morning" radio program. Please read on for more about it.
Whether or not you feel that Don Imus is a racist, it's clear to me at least that his producer and on-air sidekick Bernard McGuirk is. McGuirk is usually the instigator for much of the racist/sexist/homophobic commentary that occurs on the "Imus in the Morning" radio program.
Of course the "nappy headed hoes" comment has been getting ALOT of attention, however, the Imus program has a long history of racist, sexist and homophobic comments that many seem to either be unaware of, or just ignore. Below the fold is a recent example of other abhorrent commentary.
On March 6th of this year, McGuirk launched into an impersonation of famed black poet and writer Maya Angelou. Transcriptfrom Media Matters:
McGUIRK: Whitey plucked you from the jungle for too many years
Took away your pride, your dignity, and your spears
[...]
McGUIRK: With freedom came new woes
Into whitey's world you was rudely cast
So wake up now and go to work?
You can kiss my big black ass
Also during that show, McGuirk provided some awful commentary that not only refers to presidential candidate Hilary Clinton as a "bitch", but also indicates that Clinton will have to have gold teeth, wear cornrows and using gang hand signs in order to reach black voters.
Transcript also from Media Matters:
McGUIRK: She's really trying to sound black.
IMUS: Pardon me?
McGUIRK: She's trying to sound black.
IMUS: I mean it's just -- I --
McGUIRK: Bitch is gonna be wearing cornrows before --
IMUS: I mean, you just can't make it up, can you?
[...]
McGUIRK: She's just trying to sound black in front of a black audience.
As opposed to sounding Southern. She was pandering.
McCORD: You think?
McGUIRK: She'll have cornrows and gold teeth before this fight with Obama
is over.
IMUS: Oh, my God, I mean --
McGUIRK: She'll be giving Crips signs during speeches.
There are many other examples, such as saying Venus and Serena Williams are animals more suited for National Geographic than Playboy. Or, calling NYT journalist William Rhoden a "quota hire". Or, referring to Gwen Ifill of PBS as a "cleaning lady" (although Imus denies saying this).
The "Imus in the Morning" radio program is nationally broadcast, both on radio and cable television. It is Don Imus' show and he has full responsibility for what is broadcast. His producer, Bernard McGuirk, is the driving force behind much of the content, including the most offensive of the commentary. Imus has apologized and claims ignorance saying that he didn't realize that such comments are offensive. However, he's been made aware of it before and apologized for it numerous times. Clarence Page even made Imus pledge in 2001 not to use racist commentary on the air. So any defense claiming ignorance rings very hollow.
Whether or not you want Imus fired or not, I'd hope that you would contact the below media outlets and advertisers and let them know that their association with such hateful programming is unacceptable to you and that if Imus returns after his suspension, they will also be held accountable for the content of the "Imus in the Morning" radio show.
Contact Information:
The below media outlets broadcast the "Imus in the Morning" program.
MSNBC: Simulcasts the Imus in the Morning radio
feedback@msnbc.com
viewerservices@msnbc.com
phone: 201-583-5000
Allison Gollust, NBC News Communications - NBC Spokeswoman
Phone: 1-212-664-3220
Email: allison.gollust@nbcuni.co
WFAN radio: Flagship radio station of Imus in the Morning
fanmail@wfan.com
Main Phone Number: 718-706-7690
Mailing Address:
WFAN-AM
34-12 36th Street
Astoria, NY 11106
CBS Radio: Syndicates "Imus in the Morning" http://www.cbsradio.com/...
CBS RADIO
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-846-3939
Dana McClintock
Senior Vice President, CBS Communications Group
(212) 975-1077
Democratic party politicians that appear on the Imus show:
Senator John Kerry: (202) 224-2742
Senator Christopher Dodd: (202) 224-1083
Advertisers Contact Info:
This is only a partial list of advertisers that I know of. Please feel free to add any more. Pressure works and already a number of large advertisers have ended their relationship with "Imus in the Morning".
Geico.com
Corporate Offices
Government Employees Insurance Company
One GEICO Plaza
Washington, DC 20076
Contact Page
1-800-824-5404 (marketing dept. - press 5 when you get the menu)
Nivea for Men - Parent Company: Beiersdorf
1-800-227-4703 (Easy # to get through)
Public Relations Contact Page
Toyota
800-331-4331 (press 5 when voicemail menu is offered)
Toyota Diversity Advisory Board: diversity_team@tma.toyota.com
New York Times
Arthur Sulzberger Jr., Chairman & Publisher: publisher@nytimes.com
Scott H. Heekin-Canedy, President, General Manager: president@nytimes.com
North Fork Bank
Corporate Headquarters
275 Broadhollow Road
P.O. Box 8914 Melville, NY 11747
1-877-694-9111 (voicemail hell, but after pressing one for English, press two then follow the prompt to speak with a representative. Then ask for the Marketing Dept.)
Lawn Doctor
mediarelations@lawndoctor.com
1-800-631-5660 (ask for Sean Gallagher - Public Relations)
AutoZone
Investor Relations
Tel: (901) 495-7185 (ask for Marketing Dept.)
Fax: (901) 495-8374
email: investor.relations@autozone.com
Feedback Page
REI
253-395-3780 (corporate office, ask for public relations)
Company Feedback Page
Office Depot
800-463-3768 (ask operator to connect you with the corporate office)
Office Depot
2200 Old Germantown Road
Delray Beach, FL 33445
mediarelations@officedepot.com
communityrelations@officedepot.com
Zone Chefs
Info@Zonechefs.com
Boston Medical Group
714-966-0588 (ask for Public Relations)
Westchester BMW (Located in White Plains, NY)
(914) 761-5555
sales@westchesterbmw.com
Ben Benson Steakhouse (NYC)
212-582-8888
http://www.benbensons.com (Their homepage will take you to their contact page)
Universal Express: Their Luggage Express unit advertises on Imus in the morning.
Phone: 561-367-6177 (ask for Marketing Dept)
Fax: 561-367-6124
email: info@usxp.com
Travelocity
Media Contact
Amanda Borichevsky 972.488.4790
Amanda@vollmerpr.com
Customer Feedback Page
Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort
1-888-226-7711
Comment Page
All American Ford (auto dealer in Hackensack, NJ)
800-789-2492
Great American Chevrolet (auto dealer in Hackensack, NJ)
800-481-9105
StubHub.com (online ticket broker)
Sean Pate
Public Relations Director
(415) 222-8442
spate@stubhub.com
Online Contact Us Page
Update: A member of the Board of Directors of CBS is calling for IMUS to be fired. CBS Radio syndicates the Imus radio program.
"As an African-American, I believe that Imus has crossed the line, a very bright line that divides our country," said Bruce Gordon, a CBS director and former president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.