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Now that the 10-day Don Imus controversy has come to an end, and the Rutgers University's women's basketball team has forgiven him for his remarks, many are wondering who will replace Imus and who will be next to get the ax? What does this controversy that has captured the attention of most of the country say about free speech, our ability to forgive, and the future of other commentators?

The Imus scandal has triggered a growing debate about freedom of expression and forgiveness. After a week of apologies and a face-to-face meeting last night, Rutgers' women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer said the team accepts Imus' apology. Stringer said although she still finds Imus' statements unacceptable, she hopes the incident will help to bring about a change in society in how we treat one another. 

In a statement today,  Stringer said: "We, the Rutgers University Scarlet Knight basketball team, accept—accept—Mr. Imus' apology, and we are in the process of forgiving."

For nearly 30 years, the "Imus in the Morning" show was the source of  many racist and sexist remarks. Imus is not the only prominent broadcaster known for his offensive commentary. What about shock-jock radio host Howard Stern or Bill Maher ("Real Time with Bill Maher" on HBO)? Or rap artists such as Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent, whose frequent use of sexist and racist words such as "bitch" and "ho" go unpunished—should they also be held accountable?

CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves said in a statement yesterday that there is an even greater lesson that can be learned from Imus' inflammatory comments. In a memo to CBS employees, Moonves said firing the morning radio host had more to do with Imus, according to an article in Forbes.com.

"There has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society," said Moonves. "That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision."

Moonves said Imus flourished in a culture that condones a certain level of objectionable expression that offends and demeans a wide range of innocent people.

"In taking him off the air, I believe we take an important and necessary step not just in solving a unique problem, but in changing that culture, which extends far beyond the walls of our company," Moonves added.

Since Imus' fall yesterday, many of his supporters have described his firing as embarrassing and said Imus' freedom of expression—and the freedom of expression of all Americans—has been threatened. But anyone can say what he or she wants; it's only the consequences the speaker has to face.

What are people saying about this? CNN contributor Roland Martin views Imus' comments as mostly sexist.

"So many people tried to make this a race issue. But for me, that wasn't the primary point. I never wavered from the attack as one of a sexist. It didn't matter that he was trying to be funny. He insulted a group of women who are already accomplished," Martin noted.

Even though Imus made several apologies this week, he still met with each of the 10 members from Rutgers University's women's basketball team for about three hours at N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine's mansion in Princeton last night. Corzine was seriously injured in a car accident on the way to the meeting and did not attend. Although Imus left without commenting to reporters, Stringer spoke briefly on the mansion's steps.

"We had a very productive meeting," Stringer said. "We were able to really dialogue. Hopefully, we can put all of this behind us."

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, who sent out mass e-mails to her closest supporters expressing her disappointment toward Imus and his comment, said Imus showed "small-minded bigotry and coarse sexism."

Imus was fired in the middle of a two-day radio fundraiser for children's charities. CBS announced that Imus' wife, Deirdre, and his longtime newsman, Charles McCord, would host today's show.

Will Imus move to Sirius? No one knows just yet. But losing Imus was a financial hit to CBS Radio, since his program garnered $15 million in annual revenue. As for who might replace Imus, one potential prospective would be the sports show "Mike & the Mad Dog," which airs during the afternoon on WFAN.

Here's what some of our DiversityInc readers had to say about the firing:

His out-of-context remarks may sound outrageous, but his unscripted personality on TV shows him to be kind and open-hearted. What he did last week is not different from what he has done for years. His satire is sometimes uncivil, but it reflects what has become accepted by society. If MSNBC and CBS didn't like it, they had control and could have forced restraint.  

—Lawrence Way

I feel really sorry for Imus. I am a 33-year-old woman of color with a 3-year-old daughter. Apparently, the poor thing has not realized that in this day and time, we are no longer taking offensive remarks sitting down, nor are we turning a deaf ear to comments like his. It is really unfortunate that all the good Imus has done (raising money for charities, wing add at hospital, ranch for children with cancer and autism) has been over shadowed by the darkness of his words. I really do believe that Imus meant his comment as a joke and that he is truly sorry for what he said, but the world should take note that the old saying of "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is untrue. You may think you can say and do as you please, just be prepared to face the consequences.

—Marvalene Freeman Elston

I agree that what Imus said was wrong and inexcusable. Being black, I have been subject to this type of stereotyping most of my life. However, I did not allow that to influence my thinking and I refuse to allow it to identify me as such. I have been blessed and have achieved what most would consider upper-middle-class status. But I am still dismayed by the continual misuse of this type of language within my own community. If we want it to stop, we as Afro-Americans have to set the example. There will most likely always be an "Imus," and continuing to focus on him and what he says just adds fuel to an already out-of-control blaze. Additionally, we have to take the high road in this and others like this. We should never condone it but we should not allow it to consume us. I choose to forgive rather than sacrifice.

—Michael (did not provide last name)

If this incident has done one thing positive it's that it continues to shed light on the issue of racism in the media and in our collective American culture. We obviously still have much to dialogue about regarding race. This isn't about freedom of speech, this is about the 800-pound gorilla standing in the corner that no one wants to acknowledge. Sadly it takes a situation such as this to get everyone to notice and begin talking again. And the thing about freedom of speech is that there are still consequences for what a person says. Freedom of speech doesn't guarantee you your job after you say something inappropriate or in this case something that just wasn't very funny to begin with. 

—Rob Ferrera

Don Imus and Bernard McGuirk should both be banished from the airways. Their intended humor is so blatantly racist and sexist that they should not represent CBS, MSNBC or any other radio and television company. Continuing their commentary only emboldens and embraces speech that decent and fair-minded people should all find offensive and objectionable.

—Thaddeus Spratlen

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