On the Imus Racist and Sexist Remarks and the People’s Outrage

On the Imus Racist and Sexist Remarks and the People’s Outrage

Los Angeles—The Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP) and the Coalition in Defense of Immigrant Rights (CDIR) stands against systemic racism and sexism in all its forms.

The racist and sexist remarks by Imus about the Rutgers women’s basketball team is not only racist in form but a like the tip of spear, in essence- the racist and sexist slur, an offensive against people of color and immigrants.

It is not only fostering stereotype against women and people of color and all minorities but it serves to trivialize insult and make it as a common language even for people concerned and the groups it is attacking. But they cannot use the race card anymore and these insults and stereotypes will not pass.

And yet if there was no visible outrage and it was not sustained by mainstream personalities and progressive organizations, if there was no mass outpouring of disgust and anger or withdrawal of advertising, the CBS and the MSNBC will not decide to pull the plug under such racist remarks and will be just conveniently forgotten.

Imus remarks is at the same vein of the statement of former speaker Newt Gingrich against bilingual education. What made Imus remarks more brazen was it took almost two weeks before the media network decided to severely punish the racist disc jockey.

The media moguls took too long to decide to let go or punish such racist and sexist remarks. It is unfortunate that the racist and anti-immigrant elements in Southern California took the cudgels for Imus is now providing for his radio show to be aired in San Bernardino.

Progressive and well meaning people’s organizations especially woman’s organizations must be vigilant and fight all forms and racist attacks especially against people of color and immigrants in the United States.

We should not let such racist and sexist remarks against any group, people of color and anyone pass and be unnoticed and always fight for the integrity and humanity of all people.

For more information please call (213)241-0906 or email@cdir_usa [at] yahoo.com