Comments on: Imus scandal prompts debate on “forgiveness” in the Information Age http://www.matthewbigelow.com/2007/04/13/imus-scandal-prompts-debate-on-forgiveness-in-the-information-age/ New media, online communities, social networking, travel and anything else that comes to mind... Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:44:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Rob http://www.matthewbigelow.com/2007/04/13/imus-scandal-prompts-debate-on-forgiveness-in-the-information-age/#comment-107 Rob Sat, 14 Apr 2007 16:15:58 +0000 http://www.matthewbigelow.com/2007/04/13/imus-scandal-prompts-debate-on-forgiveness-in-the-information-age/#comment-107 Right. A "macaca" moment shouldn't mean any remarks that are offensive -- it should really apply only to cases like these, where the "mistake" truly does reveal deeper prejudices. It's easy to imagine a non-racist person taking a joke too far or saying something offensive without thinking it through. But that's not the case with Imus (or ex-Sen. George Allen, either). So it's a good point: It's not about firing anyone who says something offensive. It should also reveal the speaker's "essential character," and it should be part of a pattern of offensive speech. If, like Imus, those conditions are all met, fire the bastard! Right. A “macaca” moment shouldn’t mean any remarks that are offensive — it should really apply only to cases like these, where the “mistake” truly does reveal deeper prejudices.

It’s easy to imagine a non-racist person taking a joke too far or saying something offensive without thinking it through. But that’s not the case with Imus (or ex-Sen. George Allen, either). So it’s a good point: It’s not about firing anyone who says something offensive. It should also reveal the speaker’s “essential character,” and it should be part of a pattern of offensive speech.

If, like Imus, those conditions are all met, fire the bastard!

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