Celebrity Feuds
Vieira Raps Rev. for Racial "Double Standard"

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.

Tags: Meredith vieira, MeredithVieira, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev.AlSharpton, Vieira

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16. The reason rappers can use the "n" and all other words because they're black. Duh.... it's so easy to understand. It's their own people. What does Meredith know? She just wants the rating. For a white person calling particular black person the "n" word or whatever phrase Imus used is a completely different story. If he were black, there wouldn't have been such a big thing.

Posted at 1:05PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Kim

17. The "Reverend" (holy man) Al Shjarpton and the "Unholy" Reverend Jesse Jackson should preach forgiveness not condemnation. Imus has said he was sorry and apologized ahundred times. Let's all get on with our lives.

Posted at 1:05PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Get Real

18. #8: Annette: I agree with what you said EXCEPT that Cosby can be lumped in there with his fellow hypocrites. He who professes to speak the truth ALSO has a child born outside of his marriage and has been slapped with sexual harassment suits.

He has little room to talk.

Posted at 1:05PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Michele

19. Hey Al are you going to apologize to the Duke lacrosse players for your comments!

Posted at 1:05PM on Apr 12th 2007 by NuZu

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

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

21. Ridiculous

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

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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. I also skipped out of the interview because I refuse to watch NBC since caving into these race baiters. However, I am so glad that Veira had the cajones to hold Sharpton accountable. Sad that this furor will die down and we will not see him or Jackson again until there is another small situation they can exploit and make into a maelstorm. This is how they make their living. What Imus did was wrong, but he has raised millions of dollars and helped many sick children of all races. Sharpton and his ilk only have made themselves celebrities profiting off the black communities' fears. Disgusting. For a true sensible black spokesman, look at NPR's John Ridley, who has called this out as the ridiculous hypocrisy it is.

Posted at 4:40PM on Apr 12th 2007 by Charlotte

26. 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

27. OJ is GUILTY!

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

28. 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

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

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

30. She should get on Whoopi Goldberg too about her production company, One Ho Productions.

Posted at 8:15PM on Apr 15th 2007 by tjoe

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