After the debate surrounding “nappy headed hos” and recent firing of Don Imus for these comments, many now suggest that rappers need to face the guillotine. Many argued Don Imus is only repeating what rappers say in their music. Many continue to stay away from the core statement and issue surrounding Don Imus’ statements and point to some double standard that exists among rappers and Don Imus.

Hey, if a double standard exists and rappers continually use the word bitch (which seems to be the point of reference for most media pundits), then it’s important to note that at least 75% of all hip hop is purchased by Caucasian teens. So who exactly is being called a bitch? African American women? White Women? Or is it just watered down word within the rap community to place an exclamation point on a statement? We might need a Hip Hop dictionary for this. To bring it into context, we may need a “rapologist” or expert in the area of translating hip hop lyrics!

This is not to give rappers a free pass because they certainly share some community responsibility. The community needs role models who can demonstrate how they’ve overcome obstacles and developed entrepreneurial skills. But they need to reavaluate some of the music that is hitting the airwaves as to what level it benefits the community. The difference here is that Don Imus is a real show that leans toward politically based content, including guests John McCain, who still planned to come on the show after the remarks based on Imus’s apology, and Cal Ripken, who decided to cancel his plans to come on the show for fear people would associate him with Don Imus’ remarks. Imus receives millions of dollars because of his political influence. Don Imus Show is real, based on real topics and humor biased toward innocent people who have no means of defending themselves.

Hip Hop, on the other hand, is fictionalized form of expression that is sometimes based on personal experiences. Hip Hop illustrates over hyped characters fantasizing exaggerated lifestyles. If this were not the case, the police could and would arrest every rapper who has spoken about a criminal act. The problem with most people in the public and even the so called media elite is that we can not and will not discuss race and athletics in an intelligent forum.

Most people still do not understand what constitutes racism.

Very clearly, racism is when a person and/or persons use their personal feelings to impose, control, enact violence, obstruct one’s means of making money, limits opportunities and/or creates a hostile environment by use of rhetoric and stereotypes.

The problem with Don Imus’ statements begin with him having a real show dealing with real topics. His guests include government officials, like Arizona Senator John McCain, former Democratic U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, co-host of CNN's "Crossfire" and Democratic political strategist James Carville, and Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut - all of whom participate in setting policy for this country. Do all of these people share the same beliefs? His 360,000 listeners must share his same humor. Where exactly does it stop? The people want to know…

Me being a radio host myself, I would have much rather see him keep his job. At least we know where we stand with the guy. It’s more difficult to pin point when people share racist beliefs but never come out and say what they believe – they just manipulate, control financial opportunities and set policy for this country based on beliefs that lack any real understanding.   Don certaintly has the controversy piece for Hip Hop figured out. But selling records would be another issue.