Rutgers Women Meet The Press

C Goodman

Racist, sexist and deplorable. That's how Rutgers women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer described the comments made by radio talk show host Don Imus about members of her team at a news conference this morning. Last week, Imus drew criticism for calling the predominately black team "nappy-headed hos" and said they were some rough looking girls. Imus has since apologized for the offensive remarks, but that's done little to stop calls for his termination from civil rights leaders like the Reverend Al Sharpton.

But the biggest news to come out of the Rutgers press conference was word that team members have agreed to sit down with the broadcasting legend to discuss the comments. Team member Essence Carson said she and the other players were angry and disgusted but would meet with Imus. They stopped short of saying whether they thought he should be fired for calling the team "nappy-headed hos."

The Imus controversy even found its way to the White House today. Spokeswoman Dana Perino was asked if President Bush thought Imus' punishment was strong enough. "The president believed that the apology was the absolute right thing to do. Beyond that, I think that his employer is going to have to make a decision about any action that they take based on it."

No word on when a meeting between Imus and the girls might happen.

Imus Appears On Sharpton Radio Show

C Goodman

Radio talk show host Don Imus is good at putting other people in the hot seat. But Monday, it was his turn.


He appeared on the Reverend Al Sharpton's radio show to address last week's controversial remarks about the Rutgers women's basketball team. Last Wednesday, Imus described the predominately black team as "nappy-headed hos." Imus later apologized for the remark, but that hasn't stopped Sharpton and others from calling for his resignation.

Before his appearance on Sharpton's show, Imus again addressed the controversy on his nationally-syndicated "Imus in the Morning" broadcast. He described himself as "a good person" who made a bad mistake. He added, "Here's what I've learned: that you can't make fun of everybody, because some people don't deserve it. And because the climate on this program has been what it's been for 30 years doesn't mean that it has to be that way for the next five years or whatever because that has to change, and I understand that."

Imus apologizes on "Imus in the Morning" Monday.




A few hours later, he was in Sharpton's radio studio. The civil rights leader didn't back down in calling for Imus' resignation.

Here's the video.


Meanwhile in Chicago, Rev. Jesse Jackson kept his promise to picket outside NBC's offices there. A small group of protesters marched while carrying signs and shouting that "Imus must go."

MSNBC, which simulcasts Imus' radio show, has called the remarks deplorable. A spokeswoman says the matter is under review. Radio station WFAN maintains that Imus will not be fired.