Imus Squirms on the Racial Hot Seat----Again

Reprieved Talk shock jock Don Imus squirmed on the racial hot seat---again. On his nationally syndicated WABC morning talk show on Citadel Broadcasting Corporation, Imus in response to a statement from another WABC programmer about Dallas Cowboys defensive back Adam "Pacman" Jones legal difficulties asked "What color is he?" When the programmer responded he's African-American, Imus responded, "Well, there you go. Now we know."

The response reinforced the worst racial stereotypes of crime and violence about African-Americans. But Imus knows a little something about how to quickly deflect flak. His take was that he was simply trying to make the point that Jones, being black, is a victim of a racist, and inherently unjust criminal justice system.

Fair enough. But why didn't he just simply say that without coming up with the baloney line that he was using sarcasm to make that point?

Imus deftly cast himself as a racial crusader and many people bought it. But then again, not everyone. The offended Jones fittingly had the most appropriate one-liner for Imus when he said "I'll pray for him." Another racial crack from Imus, and divine intervention, won't or shouldn't help him.