Holding Us Back

Racial slurs are rude and offensive - not only to those they are directed to or about, but to anyone who has to hear them. When we use slang terms and other such racial slurs when we talk to our friends in a personal way - but that doesn't mean just anyone can say those same things. Imus made a mistake; a big one. Not only did he make a very rude comment about the women of the Rutgers basketball team, but he made it on his national talk-radio-TV show. A person in such a position should be more responsible with what gets said on the air.

I think the bigger issue here is how often the well-knowns of America are using such racial slurs, as well as homophobic phrases. Recently Michael Richards (Seinfeld's Kramer) made numerous racial comments while performing in an L.A. comedy club. Anne Coulter used an "anti-gay" slur when talking about Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards. These kinds of comments from these kinds of people are occurring more frequently, and it's getting ridiculous.

If these well-known Americans are allowed to say these things, and only apologize because they are forced to or in order to "save face," won't the American people think that these things are ok to say too? Shouldn't we become more accepting of people as we progress? Shouldn't we learn that people are all the same, no matter what religion, race or sexual orientation? Yes, we should learn these things. But, we aren't, and it's people like Imus who are holding us back.