Well, after reading this jumbled debate trying to keep the sides right, I have become completely appalled at some of the things said. I do not care if your conservative or liberal, just have some genuine respect for people.
Those of you who have said multiple times, "fucking niggers", should simply be ashamed. Try saying that to the man who scrubs your school floors, picks up your garbage, or teaches your college course or is running for president! Whether you are saying it satirically or not (which many of you were not), there is still a fine line between what is okay to say and what would get you possibly arrested in the majority of cities in America.
Those who say racism is not an issue with African Americans anymore just need to look closer. It has not left, it has only shifted (if anyone has seen the show "Black and White" featured last year on FX, they will immediatly understand). Racism is on so many levels in our society, with which small things have been engrained in white culture that we feel is, acceptable. One level racism or degrading words should not be on is the media (excluding comedy, a few of you have really good points arguing for this). Just imagine the evening news anchor calling the winner of the Special Olympics a "drooling cross-eyed retard". It would be an outrage. The media influences people to the extent of what is right and what is not right. The rappers who choose to call each other and others "niggers" or "niggas" are a small percentage of Black America with which, I feel, misrepresent their cultrue through the exploited media. Thus shaping our percieved view of Black culture.
So back to the original issue. At a professional level certain things are obviously unacceptable. Don Imus should know this after a long career of literal radio speaking.
So say what you want, just know, people are listening.