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Don Imus was fired recently for calling the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos." There has been a brewing controversy over the comments and many, including Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, have called for him to be fired. Obviously they succeeded because CBS fired Don Imus as the article linked above mentions. I believe that the firing of Don Imus is an ominous sign of what is to come and I also believe that there is rampant hypocrisy and a double standard on the part of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.
I should preface my argument by mentioned that I think that I didn't know who Don Imus was before this situation. Based on what I've seen and heard I would not have any interest in listening to his radio program. I also believe that what he said was in poor taste and was inappropriate. I feel that his words were offensive and insulting and I can't think of a reason where those words would be appropriate. That being said, I absolutely believe that he had the right to say those words.
I was absolutely appalled to read the words of Al Sharpton when he said that this situation wasn't about Don Imus, but it was "about the use of public airwaves, the use of advertising dollars." The key phrase there (that I've linked to the article where the quote comes from) is "public airwaves." Al Sharpton believes that he is somehow the arbiter of what is appropriate for the public airwaves. Does this not seem scary to anyone? Mr. Sharpton isn't even being remotely subtle about his desire for widespread censorship fo the "public airwaves." When did free speech become so dangerous that it needs to pass through a filter of 'appropriateness' before it can be heard by the public?
This concept is so alien to me that I couldn't help but write something about it. The very thought appalls me. I am a deeply religious man, and I am also very conservative. I believe that certain things are immoral and I believe that certain ideas are wrong and "dangerous." I also think that people should have the right to voice those ideas. I believe in Jesus and I believe in the Bible. I also believe that people should have the freedom to blaspheme and curse both Jesus and the Bible. Those very words would likely offend and repel me, and yet I still defend the right for people to say those words.
If we start down the path of allowing people to determine what is acceptable speech, then we have already lost the right of free speech. Who will determine what is appropriate? Will you allow me to determine what is appropriate? If my sensibilities are the litmus test, then anything blatanly non-Christian would be unacceptable. What happens if a Muslim or a Jew becomes the abiter? Then suddenly mentioning Jesus as God is inappropriate and speaking poorly of Mohammed could become inappropriate (in the case of a Muslim litmus test). If we do not allow ourselves to accept offensive speech, then we are in danger of allowing our own speech from being censored.
Free speech is a right and it should remain that way. I do not like hearing certain things, but I would rather be offended from time to time then have someone arbitrarily decide what I can and cannot say.