Radio personality Don Imus used racist and sexist statements on air on April 5, 2007.
Radio show host and humorist Don Imus pushed listeners' buttons when he used derogatory remarks to describe the Rutger's University women's basketball team. During a conversation about the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship on Imus in the Morning, Imus referred to the players as "nappy-headed hos." When criticisms started pouring in against the statements made on-air, Imus defended himself by saying that the term is often used by rappers to describe African American women.
"That phrase [nappy-headed ho] didn't originate in the White Community," Imus said. "That phrase originated in the Black community. Young Black women all through that society are demeaned and disparaged and disrespected by their own Black men, and they are called that name in Black hip hop."
Imus later issued an apology saying it was insensitive and inappropriate and on Al Sharpton's radio talk show admitted that he had taken the joke too far. While there were those who called for Imus to be fired, others cited free speech and said his apology should be enough - including the Rutgers basketball team.. Eventually, CBS Radio decided to cancel Imus in the Morning.
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