Commentary: Despite Ire Over Imus’ Comments, Many of Us Believe Exactly What We Accuse Him of Saying

By: Gregory Kane, BlackAmericaWeb.com

When I first heard radio shock-jock Don Imus’ comments about NFL defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones, I just knew Imus couldn’t have meant what I thought he meant.

For those of you not aware, the exchange between Imus and sportscaster Warner Wolf went something like this. Blitzer mentioned that Jones has been arrested six times since the Tennessee Titans drafted him in 2005.

“What color is he?” Imus asked Blitzer.

“He’s African-American,” Wolf answered.

“There you go,” Imus said. “Now we know.”

At first I thought the same thing Imus’ critics are now thinking: That Imus implied that Jones, being black, had a kind of natural proclivity for crime. But I figured that couldn’t possibly be it. Imus may be a shock jock, but the man isn’t stupid. He’s got to know there are plenty of white guys in jails and prisons.

COMMENTARY....

Pacman says he's praying for Imus after 'racist' comment

At least Don Imus can take comfort in knowing that he has Adam (Don't Call Me Pacman -- Or Else) Jones' spiritual support.

Imus, the syndicated radio host who was fired for making racially and sexually insensitive remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team last year, set off another firestorm Monday by asking "What color is he?" after hearing Jones' lengthy rap sheet.

Told that the Cowboys cornerback is African American, Imus said: "Well, there you go. Now we know."

Jones responded to the Dallas Morning News on Monday night: "I'm truly upset about the comments. Obviously, Mr. Imus has problems with African Americans. I'm upset, and I hope the station he works for handles it accordingly. I will pray for him."

Pacman says he's praying for Imus after 'racist' comment....

The Hutchinson Report: Shock Jock Don Imus Should Apologize to Blacks for His Latest Racial Insult

By: Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Reprieved radio shock jock Don Imus has done it again. On his nationally syndicated WABC morning talk show on Citadel Broadcasting Corporation, Imus, in response to a statement from another WABC programmer about Dallas Cowboys defensive back Adam “Pacman” Jones' legal difficulties, asked "What color is he?" When the programmer responded he’s African-American, Imus responded, "Well, there you go. Now we know.”

The response reinforces the worst racial stereotypes of crime and violence about African-Americans. White football players and other sports notables have run afoul of the law, but there is no known Imus statement linking their misdeeds to their race. But he did it with Jones.

COMMENTARY....

A new Imus controversy?

On “Imus in the Morning” Monday, the controversial radio host Don Imus — who was fired last year for making racist and sexist remarks about the Rutgers University women’s basketball team — made a racially freighted comment about another African-American athlete.

During the show, conversation turned to a story about how suspended Dallas Cowboys cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones now wants to drop his well-known nickname. In the course of the segment, Imus is told that Jones has “been arrested six times since being drafted by Tennessee in 2005.”

Imus asks: “What color is he?”

A new Imus controversy?....