I was listening to the radio this morning. They were playing clips of Don Imus. They played his “Well, there you go” comment from him talking about Adam “Pacman” Jones; an NFL player that has been arrested numerous times for beating strippers, spitting on people, causing riots that injure people, drug charges etc. He asked Warner Wolf participating in this radio show conversation, “What color is he?” When Wolf’s response was given that Jones is “African-American”, Imus said, “Well, there you go.” For most listening that would be interpreted as Imus saying that his (Jones’) “blackness” explains his criminal behavior. The clip I heard this morning was Imus explaining that his comment was “sarcastic” as to say (paraphrase) “here is this guy who has been arrested so many times for no other reason than because he is black.”
I think, from what I have heard, there is little doubt that this Jones fellow is guilty. So from where I stand it looks like Imus is trying to cover up his verbal boo boo. Understandable. But the only punishment Jones has endured for his crimes is a one year suspension from the NFL. I ask, if Jones cannot or will not be held accountable for his crimes then why is society up in arms over Imus’ comments? I really don’t know much about Imus or his character and I do not listen to his radio show. Call me crazy, but I happen to think assuming someone’s race is an explanation for criminal behavior (while deplorable) is still not nearly as bad as what Jones has been accused of. As long as you are famous and you can make other people a lot of money it really doesn’t matter what you do or say because you’ll never have to play or be judged by the rules that the rest of us civilized people must adhere to. If the NFL thinks Jones is still worthy to play football despite his many sins then I guess Imus is still worthy to be a controversial radio host? Where is this line of accountability being drawn and for whom?
