~ April Issue ~
 

It's About Time We Turn Things Around
By Vanessa Durand, Staff Writer
 

Earlier this month, Americans could not escape the controversy sparked by Don Imus when he commented about the Rutgers women’s basketball team. His statement about the athletes was that they were “a bunch of nappy- headed hos.” Many, including me, believe that this was a disgusting racist and sexist comment and questions the true intentions of the context. What is more important is not Imus but the question he has triggered so many to think about. Why is it that this man being picked apart from the rest of the users of this type of speech? Is it not wrong for everyone to say such a comment regardless of their race? I believe it is absolutely wrong to use this demeaning language any further. While many are busy pointing the finger at Mr. Imus to escape their own hypocrisy when using these words themselves, we are missing the point of why this was brought to our attention in the first place.

            Because Imus is a white male, many people see his insulting vocabulary as wrong because of the color of his skin. Does the pigment of his skin make this statement wrong? No, it is the content of his character, his poor attempts at humor, and his extremist views that make him the wrong doer. With regards to sexism and racism, Junior Cheyenne Francis believes that, “we need to address it, too many people throw hurtful words around and act like it's nothing when in reality it could be tearing up a person inside.”  It is important that we learn to look past our ethnicities as excuses for why we call certain people insulting names. Why is it not wrong for an African American to call another of his own color, whether it be a man or a woman, the same “racist” words Imus once uttered? Where the words are being spoken, a racist is being revealed, regardless of their culture. Many African Americans have taken offense to Imus’ statement, yet what makes Don Imus any different than them? Junior Pat Ollen states that, “Sexism is a big problem because people tend to think that women are lesser beings...but no one would be alive on this earth if women weren't around. Think of it in the movie 300...spartans are strong men but even the queen says that it takes a spartan woman to raise a spartan man.” Ultimately, we cannot continue to blame only one race, only one person, and only one source.

 In certain situations where this issue is present, the words are being spoken in the same fashion and with the same meaning. African Americans, women, and man kind has come such a long way and have endured so much for their freedom and rights. Therefore, why do handfuls choose to be the same as Imus? Is it not the majority of rappers and hip-hop artists and their glorification of thug culture that preaches that these terms are okay to use? For instance, words such as “ho” degrade a woman no matter who says the statement! Regarding Don Imus’s comments, Junior, Nick Chieppa thinks that, “It’s healthy to express your feelings toward other genders and races, negative or positive. Just don’t take your thoughts and feelings to the extreme.” 

What we must do, ESHS and the rest of America, should take the time to consider this issue. We have to begin to feel uncomfortable and Don Imus is simply a metaphor for what the real problem truly represents. It is the fault of all of us for becoming accustomed and comfortable to putting up with the words we hear in the halls, on the streets, on television, radio and in our homes. We cannot continue to degrade ourselves by using this language. Regardless of whether we are black, white, Asian, Hispanic, or so on, we should learn to feel uncomfortable with how we are being labeled, greeted, and known as because this should not be what brings us happiness, peace, and ultimate conformity. We have to learn to take a stand and object to what we are being belittled to. Women as well need to let men like Don Imus know that it is wrong to label them as a “ho” or any degrading word! If women cannot defend themselves and teach men that this is a problem, then no gender will ever learn what is moral and ethical. If this issue goes ignored, we will continue to repeat the cycle that is ruing our spirits at the end of the day; both the accusers and the accused.

            So now, a solution, this is ironically simple. In contrast to the uproar and the controversy, and blaming and rambling, there is one thing we can all learn to do! By respecting each other no matter what gender or race, we can create the purest form of appreciation for one another and finally begin to repair our souls. Let the words go, they are not what defines us as human beings. We must have pride, integrity, and keep our morals closest to us at all times because once we let someone take advantage of these aspect, we lose ourselves. When we point the finger at ourselves for realizing that we have aided in the continuation of racism and sexism, we can finally begin to change the world one compliment, kind gesture, and sincere remark at a time. Feel free not to hesitate on changing NOW!