Don Imus has the right to say whatever he wants. That’s the American way. Corporate sponsors have the right to decline to sponsor anybody whose message does not further their corporate goals. That’s the American way. This is not a First Amendment issue. The end of his show is, ultimately, a business decision on the part of television advertisers.
The same dynamic explains why rap music thrives despite its demeaning lyrics. The majority of “sponsors” of rap music are white, middle class, teenaged males. They buy the largest share of rap CDs and concert tickets. It is unlikely that they take their sponsorship cues from Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. Rap thrives due to millions of business decisions made by our children.
Francis J. Lynch
Edmonds
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