Rutgers Women Should Be Heard, Not Used

Enough already. I'm tired of hearing Imus apologizing. I don't want to hear the word closure one more time. I understand that hip-hop recording artists say bad things, too. Yes, the culture is too coarse. Sure, we've moved forward in many ways, but not enough. Yes to all of that.

What I'm interested in is what happens next. First of all, what is Hillary Clinton doing going to Rutgers on Monday? She's no fan of Imus, nor should she be. He's been mean and rude and obnoxious about her–and her candidacy–from Day 1. But why send out an E-mail alert that she's suddenly making an appearance at Rutgers at the Eagleton Institute of Politics for a speech (conveniently enough) on women in public leadership? Oh, and by the way, we're not sure whether she will meet with the Rutgers basketball team. But I bet she has asked.

The Imus affair is enough of a political football. There's Al Sharpton, first and foremost. Then, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani were saying (before Imus was dumped) that they believe in redemption and would appear again on the show. Barack Obama said no way. And many journalists who have appeared on Imus in the past–and who have been steadfastly silen –are privately relieved they don't have to make the decision about whether to go on his show.

This is about culture, not politics. This is a national discussion that neither Hillary Clinton nor anyone else running for president needs to lead. We need to have it with one another, and not use it for any kind of political gain. We need to watch and listen to the wonderful women of Rutgers basketball, instead of trying to use them.