A College Student’s View on Imus

After speaking with family, friends and colleagues about the comment made by Don Imus, an interesting question has come to mind. Has Imus apologized enough?            

As a current college student and female, I am very appalled at Imus’s comment. It is beyond ignorant and his remark has not only hurt his reputation to the brink of destroying his career, but his dignity has been revoked. After reading recent blogs and discussing the issue in further detail, it’s clear that Imus has not only hurt his relationship with the Rutgers women’s basketball team but he’s hurt his relationship with women everywhere, the NCAA, African Americans, and the Rutgers community.

Imus has hurt himself but even more so, hurt the feelings of thousands of individuals. This is when the question came to mind, “Has Imus apologized enough?” He is fighting for his job and apologizing every chance he gets. He is meeting with the Rutgers women’s team on Tuesday, but even players have stated that what he has done is not excusable. I ask you now, has Imus apologized enough? What is an apology?

Personally speaking, I believe Imus has apologized enough. I have heard him apologize on the radio, on television, seen clips on local news stations and on the Internet. Imus knows he has made a mistake and is trying to make up for it. Although I have heard him apologize more than a dozen times I do not believe I can accept his apology. What has been said cannot be taken back.              

Once I realized I could not forgive Imus’s rude remark, I began to question what an apology is. Dictionary.com states an apology is “a written or spoken expression of one’s regret, remorse, or sorrow for having insulted, failed, injured, or wronged another.” I know we all know what an apology is and throughout our lifetimes we apologize but at some point, is an apology effective? It is necessary to apologize to demonstrate you understand you have hurt someone else but at the same time, the damage has already been committed. Now, the fate of acceptance lies in the hands of the individual who has been hurt.            

I am not trying to say that I do not believe apologies are effective, I think apologies need to be said when wrong has been done. It is important for the other person to hear that remorse. It is a life lesson to be able to realize one’s mistakes, apologize, and learn from them in order to grow.            

With this said, you’re probably questioning now “Well if you understand people make mistakes and can forgive, then why can’t you forgive Imus and accept his apology?” Believe me, I’ve asked myself this! I don’t know why exactly I can’t forgive Imus. I believe his comment was very detrimental. He not only insulted a basketball team, but also used unacceptable language. It shouldn’t be said to anyone regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation.     

 Today’s society is very diverse and we’ve overcome issues throughout history. What Imus said hurts women and seems to take us back to the era that women were subordinate to men. These remarks cannot be allowed and we need to speak out about the issue. As a young woman, I believe I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to and if someone is going to call me a “nappy-headed ho,” you better believe I’m going to do everything I can to make sure it does not happen again.  

Zofia Romanowicz, intern