Don Imus is in the middle of a controversy over remarks that are being interpreted by some as racist. When his co-worker spoke about an African American Dallas Cowboys player being arrested, Imus asked, "what color is he?" "African American", he was told. Imus said, "oh, ok there you go".
Taken without context this remark may seem racist, but once you read Imus (in my view plausible) clarification, you may have second thoughts.
The AP quotes Imus as saying:
"I meant that he was being picked on because he's black," Imus said in a statement released by his spokesman.
There is no way to know whether or not Imus meant this as an anti-black remark, or if he indeed sought to point out the fact that blacks are disproportionally targeted by police.
He has done it before, you might argue, but that raises the question:"Why would Imus do it again, knowing that this would probably mark the end of his career?
Furthermore, Imus is not heard uttering any racially sensitive remarks before or after the "what color was he" phrase. This is a sign that he was being cautious rather than reckless.
I don't know about you, but I find no strong evidence that Imus was trying to be racist this time around; I tend to believe he was trying to achieve the opposite result ;therefore, I give him the benefit of the doubt, despite his record.