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Posted by Susan Hyde Apr 12, 2007 |
Okay, I've had it. On the one hand, anyone short of a neo-Nazi knows that Don Imus was insensitive and downright offensive when he hurled his recent racial slur at the talented young members of the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team. His recent firing is most deserved, if not long overdue. After all, it isn't as though Imus woke up one morning and was suddenly offensive. He has been guilty of multiple annoying racial and sexist comments for years. On the other hand, the way the media has handled this incident is likewise appalling. Why did MSNBC and CBS executives have to wait for the court of public opinion to determine that the words were wrong? Why is Rutgers University giving value to the vulgarity by doing anything other than celebrating the Rutgers victory? Why are other networks repeating the story over and over again with special emphasis on the hateful language? It seems that even those who have condemned the shock jock's behavior have understood the market value of Imus's rude words. Honestly, how often do Americans of any age need to hear the words, "nappy headed ho" before they, too, are insensitive to the epithet?
As a mother and an educator, I worry about our culture's general lack of propriety. It has no positive value for adults, but what about our children? Sure, parents can turn the channel, but even "children's" networks are guilty of exploiting poor behavior. For instance, Nickelodeon recently had Justin Timberlake host the 20th Anniversary of the Kids' Choice Awards. Justin Timberlake? Wasn't it just a couple of years ago when he "accidentally" pulled off Janet Jackson's bustier during the half-time show of the Superbowl? Again, marketing becomes more important than common sense in the raising of America's children. Master of Ceremonies for MTV? Sure, I understand -- but Nickelodeon? How can the promoter of Dora the Explorer and Little Bill also endorse the guy who disrobed a woman during a live show with an audience of several million Americans of all ages? Where is the outrage?
Now, once again, teachers have the added responsiblility of playing social referee in the classroom. When school age children come to class laughing about rude behavior -- or, worse yet, imitating bad behavior -- teachers have to decide whether to ignore it, whether to rebuke the the students who bring the nationally televised incident to class, or whether to embrace a teaching moment and ask students to individually reflect on what is and is not acceptable on our television and radio airwaves. While such a discussion may not be appropriate for an elementary audience, it is important for teenage students to understand the role of both capitalism and persuasion in our American democracy.
Teach students how they can change the world with persuasive words. Teach them to write well constructed letters to the editor and to supporting advertisers, network executives, or even politicians so that they will not feel powerless to protect their own children against the next generation of vulgarity.