Friday, May 04, 2007

African Americans Have A Voice, What About The Others?

From the American Chronicle

The Don Imus scandal led to debates concerning, sexism, racism, rap lyrics and media responsibility. What has unfortunately been ignored and what I found most glaring from this fiasco, is that the African American community has a voice. Immediately after Don Imus made his comments, an all out media blitz ensued with several prominent members of the African American community receiving television and radio air time to discuss Imus and his ignorant comments. Within a week, Imus had been turned into an American villain, as well as lost his television and radio show.

Obviously African Americans having a voice in society is a positive step towards racial equality, but I can’t help but focus on the groups that do not have a voice. I wonder if Imus had made similar remarks about Mexican Americans, Asian Americans or Muslim Americans, would he still have his job? It is likely that the comments concerning those groups would never had made it farther than his loyal listeners.

If Don Imus type comments are not considered acceptable by public standards, which I agree with, than that means all similar comments made against all minority groups are unacceptable. This reasoning I’m sure most people would agree with, but yet it does not resonate in society.

By no means I am saying that the African American community no longer experiences racial inequality that can not be easily remedied, but at least their voice is often heard. Can we say that about any other minority group in this country?

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