But Even Still..

For some reason the point made about words being different from actions reminds me of the old quote from the great philosopher Anonymous who wrote:

Watch your thoughts, for thoughts become words.
Watch your words, for words become actions.
Watch your actions, for actions become habits, and habits
become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

By speaking and talking in racial slurs all the time; whether you mean it or not, can possibly create a condoning atmosphere where eventually somebody takes the next step toward violence. The rap music, (or any music) depicting women and violence the way it sometimes can; probably falls under this category. The Imus show and others like it also have this type of power, in that if you listen to it long enough and enjoy it, you sort of get caught up in it, and begin to identify yourself with the little satirical world they've created. There is definitely a big difference between the comradery that nickfranklin most excellently explains, and an outsider saying the same words. Who knows if Imus is really a racist? Maybe Don Imus "forgot" that he was really an outsider. Maybe he's so used to having to be 'funny' and outrageous all the time, it just slipped out a little nastier than his judgment could put the brakes on.

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