By Kent Hatcher
So right now the big news in sports and around the nation is the controversy surrounding a remark made by radio host Don Imus.
Right now, members of the media across the country are talking about Don Imus, a washed-up old radio pundit, and not talking about the fairytale journey of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
I personally do not wish to print Imus' comment in this column, so if you have no clue what I am talking about, ask a friend or tune into one of the major news networks, because their talking heads are more than willing to share.
For now let's just stick to the fact that Imus said something about the Rutgers women's basketball team that many people, not just African Americans, found offensive.
Imus spoke the now infamous words during his show, which aired on April 4, while discussing the underdog Rutgers team that had just lost to Tennessee in the Women's NCAA Championship.
However, he did not apologize for his off-color, racially-charged remark until complaints started rolling in and the Rev. Jesse Jackson got involved.
After complaints were made to CBS and MSNBC, Imus was suspended for two weeks from his flagship station, CBS, and his simulcast was cancelled by MSNBC.
Also, many of the show's sponsors, including Staples, General Motors, Sprint Nextel, GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, PetMed Express, American Express and Bigelow Tea, have pulled their support of the show.
I know what you are thinking, "Not Bigelow Tea!" but the fact remains that without sponsors, a show does not make money, and if it's not making money why keep it on the air?
Of course, the question burning in everyone's minds: is this punishment too much, or not enough?
To some people, there is no question in their minds that CBS should end Imus' career.
Bruce Gordon, former president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and CBS board member, is among those spearheading the effort to get Imus terminated.
In an interview with CNN, Gordon explained that he feels Imus has crossed a very clear social line that divides this country.
After the debacle ensued, Imus went back on the air, where he stumbled through an interview with the Rev. Jackson trying to plead his case to no avail.
He apologized for the pain that he obviously caused, but he still has not made any friends amongst the people he was so skillful at angering. They are still clamoring for his head.
So yes, Imus screwed up. Yes, he has angered America's African-American community. But is it worth ruining the man's career?
This is a very difficult decision, and thankfully it is not up to me to decide Imus's fate.Imus belittled a substantial portion of his countrymen with that hate-filled, stereotypical comment.
More importantly, he belittled every single one of the Rutgers women basketball players, regardless of race, and degraded what they achieved in this year's tournament.
