Imus Controversy Prompts Whitlock To Call For Jackson, Sharpton To Step Down

- Basketball, Hip-Hop, Jason Whitlock, Societal Issues -

Don Imus isn’t smart enough to understand the wave his ignorance started.

But do realize that this is not a new issue. For years now, and most notably ever since his interview with thebiglead.com, Jason Whitlock (Kansas City Star, AOL Sports) has been the ring leader for the main issue people are just now starting to focus on.

The terms Whitlock use to make his argument, however, tend to make people of every race, religion and color extremely uncomfortable. When a person refers to a group of people as the “black KKK,” expect for hate and insecurities to follow. JWhit just simply refuses to bite his tongue — ironically, much like most shock jocks — pointing out that it is the black community who should be looking inward and not outward in searching for a way to start solving racial inequality issues. The same issues we keep focusing on when idiots like Imus show off their inner bigot.

And the leaders first to lend their voice for the community in cases such as this one, when ignorance is heard ‘roun the world, are more than susceptible to losing focus on the real issues at hand.

Which is why, using his AOLSports stage, Whitlock calls for Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton to step down.

From his Kansas City Star platform, Whitlock pointed out the most overlooked issue: Don Imus isn’t the real bad guy.

Leave it to JWhit to say the words no one else has been willing to say. And, not to overplay the cliche but, no truer words have been spoken.

What started as a few ignorant words over the airwaves became a complete storm overnight. Rightfully so.

The issue at hand is larger than a decaying old radio voice, and can only be solved with the cooperation of not only black society, but the all others. People who support and celebrate rappers and gangsters who degrade their own culture are in the wrong. Hip-hop culture, specifically, needs to reassess itself.

More importantly we, as consumers of all types of degrading mediums, need to have higher standards for what we support. Years ago, when Imus first uttered ignorant remarks, people should’ve been outraged and demanded his ouster.

Instead, we see everyone just now catching up and showing outrage for an issue that, as Whitlock has repeatedly said, should have been addressed long ago.

Here are some selected, related Whitlock columns:
*Note: Most of these are from AOL Sports, but his KC Star collection can be found HERE*