Using "Nappy headed" and "Jigaboos" is up there with tossing words n*ger, k*ke, sp*c, w*tback, sp*ok, sand n*gger out on the air. The only way you're going to see those kind of terms in a show is if it's clear the character is supposed to be a racist. Tossing them in to reference a group of real people? Oh, man. Infinity must have gone nuts. If the show wasn't such a money maker, he'd already be out of a job.

Say what you want about him, Limbaugh is clearly doing something right if he's the only radio host that could get the Vice President on his show.

I was being facetious, Dr. G.

Name one thing Cheney's done that wasn't questionable, if not borderline supervillainous? Or is the media biased if they don't dig up some good press about bad people too?

Add "nappy headed" to the list of things that you can only say if you're black (even if said comment is made in jest).

I haven't heard of the FCC getting involved, so if he loses his job he'll lose it the old-fashioned way: the boss would come in and tell him he's making the company look bad.

Ratings are all well and good, but it's sponsors that drive that decision. Big sponsors generally don't want to associate their products with shows where black people are called "jigaboos," hispanics are called "spics", or jews are called "kikes." This is the workings of the market. Those shows probably exist on internet radio, but I can't imagine they get much advertising from the likes of Ford, Apple, Colgate, etc.

I'm guessing you have a problem with that. Just curious why? Assuming you aren't of a minority, are you missing out on something by being unable to use slurs and have it be socially acceptable?

First off, Imus comment was ridiculously insulting to anyone that caught it. Unecessary, distasteful, stupid...all kinds of adjectives can apply.

But I'm curious,

Does that equate to, "Assuming you are white..."?

I think the terms minority/majority are just another way of making broad swiping stereotypes regardless of which direction the terms come from.

Is something like "Cracker" socially acceptable, but these other terms are not?
What really defines a minority, is it population count at a national level, regional or local one?
Even if population alignments changes, does a new metric for maintaining majority / minority come into play? economic status, number of CEOs.... etc?
When does the switch flip and a majority becomes a minority, or is it impossible for a historic majority to become a minority?
How about situationally... if a caucasian posts to these forums from an Asian country.... do they fall into the minority category based on the local population.

I dont buy into the idea that portions of a population can use slang but others are blocked off from it. If its distasteful or hateful, then maybe as a society we should all let it go, rather than allow special usage rules.

I chose to use the same term that Cannibal had used in the post I was replying to. I don't really think it equates to anything since, as you say, minority is always gonna be a relative term.

Yeah, I'm sorry I shouldnt have read anything into your statement other than what was typed there. The whole topic of minority / majority seems so relative, it just always raises a lot of questions in my mind, and sometimes depending on who is using it in the politics, media etc etc, it just frustrates me.

Irongut does have a personal story around the word "Cracker"...
When I was a little kid, one of my favorite snacks was that caramel popcorn Cracker Jacks.
My dad used to go around calling me Cracker, it was my nickname till age 6 or 7.
Then one day, someone pointed out that Cracker had a whole other or new meaning he had never heard before.
He stopped calling me Cracker, I lost my nickname, and I'm still frustrated about it.
Havent gotten a Cracker Jacks prize ever since.

(Someday I'll have to share the Irongut story on how I unknowingly bought a pc from a terrorist organization....but its best saved till the right thread.)

Even then, it's not common for a company to want to associate itself with that sort of thing outside of "edgy" comedy or rap music. I might not be listening to enough radio, but are there a lot of mainstream black radio hosts with programs focusing on current affairs that say that this or that athlete is a "jigaboo" or a "nigger"?

Hey, Jesse Jackson is going to protest in Chicago. Wouldn't it be better of him to go to Hymietown and protest instead?

Thank you! I thought it was just me, from not having lived in America.

I thought it referred to close, tight curls, but I could be wrong (M-W.com says "kinky"). I had heard the term about hair, but it was only spoken by black people now that I think on it, but it seemed like a non-pejorative descriptive word.

I'm not sure if a white guy can ever presume to address a black guy he doesn't know as "cousin".

I think being told, "You all right, man," means passing some sort of coolness (or lack of unhipness) test.

I thought maybe cousin suggested too little distance, not as bad as "brother" but...

I'm a mess of conflicts right now: PC educated, trained observer/anthropologist, fan of Tom Joyner, player of San Andreas...

I watched the news report on this tonight and the whole thing reeks of awitch hunt. Yes what Imus said was ill chosen and he should have apologized.

I am sooo freaking sick of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton using every opportunity to inject publicity into their waining relevance. It's amazing that Mr. "Hymietown" and Dr. Brawley are even news anymore.