The repeated replaying of Don Imus’ insidious remarks was annoying, but what brought forth real anger was the apparent incredulity of some “talking heads” over the cries for Imus’ dismissal. Some of these supposedly astute commentators seemed to miss the point.

Leave it to veteran CBS newsman Harry Smith to once again get at the heart of the matter. On “The Early Show,” Smith pointed out that like the dreaded “n-word,” the term “ho” is used by the hip-hop movement, and he queried to an African American guest, “Who gets to use that term?” The guest fumbled around and tried to change the subject.

Amid all of the knee-jerk outrage and hysteria, I think we should stop avoiding the matter and just address it point blank, once and for all.

First on the agenda is to acknowledge that, unlike the general hip-hop community, it is actually the practitioners and proponents of the “gangsta rap” genre who are the most responsible for the degradation of African American language, slang and mindset, for which they remain unapologetic. Hardcore rappers, thugs and even gang members have a perpetual negative attitude about race relations and black life in general. Through their music, as well as on the playground, they spread their “poison” to the most vulnerable: kids who are either too young to resist or haven’t been taught anything else.

To the “gangsta,” whites — and those who seek to emulate them — will always see blacks as “niggers.” No matter what we achieve, we will always be lower than dust. So why try to be anything else? Why not become a thug or a ho? To the “gangsta,” these kids will be future customers, or worse, recruits.

Hence, Don Imus.

Imus had gained enough media clout to enable politicians, scholars and celebrities to come on his show and promote a book or support a cause. However, like Howard Stern, Imus has also played the role of an equal opportunity offending “shock jock.” From my perspective, he can’t have it both ways.

Free speech, like all freedoms, comes with tremendous responsibility. We have to show Don Imus, the KKK, the “gangstas” or anybody else, that there is a point to which one does not go.

Bernard Ferrell
Boston