Disc Jockey Fired for Using Imus' Phrase on Air
Gary Smith's show aired on WSBG radio station operating out of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. After complaints from members of the Black community, the executive vice president that owns the station, Rick Musselman reviewed the tape. In a press release the station said that the DJ had "full knowledge of the reaction to Don Imus' use of the exact same phrase" and knowing that, he should not have used the phrase and made light of the matter. The Pocono Record, Stroudsburg's local newspaper reports that Gary Smith was actively involved in many charitable activities when off the air. People describe him as being "warm-hearted" and never "mean-spirited". Like Imus, he apologized for his goof, and the apology was not accepted.
Activist Hamilton Banks feels such comments should not be a part of life in the year 2007. Robert Hilliman hopes that the controversy will promote a community dialogue and bring about positive change. Mr. Hilliman heads the state's local advisory council for human relations according to the Pocono Record articles.
There is already a website rallying support for Don Imus and the people who have been listening to "Gary in the Morning" are rallying to help Mr. Smith get his job back. They are circulating an online petiton to be presented to Mr. Musselman. The Pocono Record's online forum relating to the topic has the usual remarks tossed back and forth. It is easier to add ones opinion online than getting through to a DJ over the telephone. The Pocono Record reported that Howard Stern was sympathetic to Mr. Smith. "What do radio broadcasters think of Gary's copycat comments?" written by Beth Brelje of the newspaper includes comments from DJ's. The consensus of opinion seems to be that he was wrong to repeat the Imus phrase.
Stroudsburg is called "The Gateway to the Poconos" being located just across the border from neigboring New Jersey. Route 80 is a much travelled highway leading from New York city straight there. Route 80 continues on into the Pocono Moutains, hence the name. The Pocono Mountains is mainly a resort and vacation area featuring Camelback ski resort and Mt. Airy Lodge famous for it's heart shaped bathtubs and entertainment provided by major stars. Stroudsburg is a small racially diverse city, whereas the Pocono Mountain area was mainly populated by Caucasians. Pocono Record reporter, Howard Frank's article quotes Hilliman mentioning the "influx of people of all backgrounds" moving into the Pocono Mountain area.
Having lived in the Pocono Mountains for 15 years, I agree with Mr. Hilliman and Mr. Banks. Perhaps Gary Smith's phrase will pay off in confronting and improving racist attitudes that existed in the area.
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Published by Alyce Rocco
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21 Comments
Post a CommentI saw the You Tube video and heard Snoop Dogg say that. Cynthia Cooper was a "girl in the hood". The average white person would not know who she is. Definitely not a 'ho. One of my daughter's used to say "All the girls in Bangor High are sluts". I hate that word "slut" as much as "whores" and I educated her about using it. Rather, not using it. Just to avoid misunderstandings I doubt if there was a black girl in the school. As for Smith being fired why ever would he think it funny getting white people to repeat Imus' phrase? Unless he wanted to make arses out of the white people, he most definitely should have never done that.
I did not think it was funny. If I had my way Howard Stern would be off the air too. A bit after I wrote this I read about Media Matters, H. Clinton's feud with Imus and implications about her involvement in the issue. What I said about Sharpton at the time was he should concentrate on more important issues. Jena 6 being the issues I was talking about. Was it you that wrote about the new NHH' bumper stickers? Anyway, Sharpton and Imus "kissed and made up". I know exactly why African/American women would be highly offended hearing those words coming from white men's mouths.
I regard Imus like I regard Snoop. I don't care if he said the words exactly or was a bandwagon of someone who did. He knew better. I'm glad he was fired and taken off the air. There's not a moment in my life that I'll ever sympathize for that cat, and coming from you, I'm surprised you would. Calling someone a "nappy headed ho" is not funny regardless. Humor went out the window with that comment.
In my multi-cultural world there is a bit more affection and harmony along the lines of racial humor. Snoop Dogg's comment was "we don't mean the basketball players, we are talking about the reality of girls in the hood". I just groaned. He just told a white America that is predisposed to believe in racial sterotypes, that all girls in the "hood" are... : > !
This is getting silly.
A little more balanced background: Smith offered Nascar tickets to get callers to say, "I'm a nappy-headed ho." He was fired because it was premeditated, and he knew exactly what was going to happen (according to the radio station managers).
unbelievable. talk about political correctness gone awry...great article!
No Surprise...I'd made mention previously that IMUS' firing would put FREEDOM OF SPEECH under fire. This is not about reverse discrimination or anything else because, Sharpton & Jackson are going after the Hip-Hop Community with the frontpeople being mostly of color. The question is, how do we find a balance? How do we preserve the Right to Free Speech?
You have to be kidding me.
So much for freedom of speech in the US. This whole country is going straight to hell in a hand-basket. :(