Some Learning Opportunities from the Imus Affair

Abstract

The author discusses the broader issues of free speech under the surface of the Don Imus affair, where that commentator made a gratuitous slur about the Rutgers women's basketball team. He balances this gaff against the good deeds of the same personality, comparing this with similar provocative remarks made by other well-known public figures. The media is cited for an overreaction to the Imus incident, and all these components are discussed in light of what free speech means.

Keywords: civil liberties, political correctness, media, Don Imus, free speech, racism, sexism, speech codes, Rutgers University, women's basketball, Louis Farrakhan, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Andrew Young

JEL Classification: K10, L82