Vieira Raps Rev. for Racial "Double Standard"

Posted Apr 12th 2007 12:13PM by TMZ Staff

Meredith Vieira turned the tables on Rev. Al Sharpton this morning, blasting him for not doing enough to stop black rappers from using words like "ho" and "b**ch" in their lyrics while excoriating Don Imus for doing so. Snap!

Sharpton was on the "Today" show this morning to react to Imus' firing by MSNBC, and the Rev. repeated his contention that Imus' place on the "public" airwaves made him responsible -- and ultimately culpable -- for his "nappy-headed hos" remark. Vieira then challenged Sharpton, demanding to know why he didn't hold hip-hop and rap artists more responsible for "spreading the message" of demeaning and abusive language, and accusing Sharpton of perpetuating a "double standard."

The Rev. explained that his organization, National Action Network, was working to get more rappers with "positive messages" onto the airwaves, but acknowledged that those rappers weren't getting exposure.

Filed under: TV, Celebrity Feuds

Comments [399]

Digg it Del.icio.us My Yahoo Sphere RSS MySpace Permalink Email

from

More news at PopEater.com

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 27)Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. rev. Al should be fired!!!!! from what I don't know but..................................

Posted at 1:06PM on Apr 12th 2007 by v

17. What's good for the Goose is good for the Gander.

Posted at 1:06PM on Apr 12th 2007 by PJ

18. Ridiculous

Posted at 1:08PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Paris Hilton

19. When will this race hater apologize about the comments he made about the three white Duke Lacrosse players. All charges have been dropped and no evidence has been found against them. I hope those players hire some big lawyers and sue his a$$ for both libel and slander.

Posted at 1:08PM on Apr 12th 2007 by SR

20. Both Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have said a lot worse about whites. Rappers have said a lot worse about women. Imus was wrong in what he said, but to have Sharpton going from one program to another and demand Imus to be fired is nothing more than using this as a platform for his own self satisfaction. Enough is enough. I also blame the media for allowing this man to continue his personal hatred, and causing a much bigger uproar than it needs to be.

Posted at 1:08PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Double Standards

21. THANK YOU MEREDITH!!!!! way to go!!! There is a double standard that Al Sharpton allows, and if he wants this to stop, he has to be fair to EVERYONE!!!! Also, I don't understand why white people who say and do something stupid always have to apologize to Al Sharpton. Especially since he ignores rappers, etc., saying the same stupid things!!!!

Posted at 1:08PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Janet

22. MSNBCs president is a hypocrite. He stated he did it for the employees of MSNBC. Have they ever listened to the show before. I find it hard to believe that this is the first offensive thing Imus said in the last few years. Then to state this had nothing to do with ratings or money......why did you wait so long and fire him after the sponsors split. Let the baklash begin.

Posted at 1:10PM on Apr 12th 2007 by JM

23. OJ is GUILTY!

Posted at 1:12PM on Apr 12th 2007 by billy bob

24. Um, what happened to "Freedom of Speech"? I thought that was what the great democratic nation of the USA was based on.

I guess it just got thrown out the window by the politically correct mob.

Posted at 1:12PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Boris

25. I do not see any one on the Tom Joyner morning show being fired, What about all the things they said about the Duke Lacrosse team. Why is it they can say any thing they want?

Posted at 1:13PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Vicki

26. Al Sharpton has some redeeming to do before he can be crediable.
Has he been back to Durham, NC to apologize to the La Cross players?
He needs to apologize to each of the falsely accused La Cross players.

Sharpton, if you are a man, do it.

If you are just a big mouth piece and trouble maker--your actions now will speak louder than words.

I don't like Don Imus, however, he was trying to be funny, Shartpton knows this.

NBC will regret their move to fire Imus, betcha you.

Posted at 1:13PM on Apr 12th 2007 by DH

27. su-nap! Meredith! Where is Towana Brawley these days btw?

Posted at 1:15PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Jeff

28. cool,finally saying like it is vieira i applaud you for telling it like it is, enough is enough ,what's going on in america hispanics and blacks can do no wrong please i've read and seen some video of very racist remarks on the internet from blacks and hispanics spew their hatred towards whites with nothing said and there are a lot of them out there who do not like white people at all, and they don't hide it at all so enough of kissing these blacks and hispanics asses getting really old people blacks and hispanics keep pushing their agenda and it's going to backfire on them

Posted at 1:16PM on Apr 12th 2007 by studly

29. Finally. I have been thinking this all along. And I was wondering when somebody would say something.

I never really thought much of Meredith Viera...until now.

Posted at 1:16PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Rocio

30. Thank you MEREDITH for saying what millions of Americans are thinking: Why is their a Double Standard. I hear rap music w/ waaaaayyyy worse things in the lyrics blasting from stores, restaurants, bars, buses, etc. I can't get away from it. I can turn the channel, but it's on EVERY channel. Talk about a DOUBLE STANDARD, geeeesh. You can't have it one way for white people and one way for black people. It should be ALL one way for ALL people. This is becoming more polarizing and negative than it EVER should have. Good for you, Meredith, took balls, but you called Mr.Sharpton on his flip/flopping and he deserved it. He himself has made racist, stereoptypical remarks, and we shouldn't forget that either!!!!

Posted at 1:16PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Say NO NO NO to Double Standards

Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments