Imus Show Yanked However Women Still Subjected to Subtle Discrimination with Long-term Impact

Las Vegas, NV | April 12, 2007
Advertisers General Motors, American Express, Sprint Nextel and others pulled dollars away from the beleaguered Don Imus’ show as MSNBC and CBS Radio swiftly yanked the plug on the long-running simulcast this week. Many still don’t connect the dots regarding the long-term impact of hurtful, degrading comments have toward women and minorities.

Tuesday on NBCs “The Today Show,” Michelle Moore, Sr. VP of the National Urban League said, “Imus’ comments were, “As sexist as they were racist.” She added the young women of the Rutgers basketball team worked hard and reached a pinnacle of success for their efforts and then this is what they hear.

Roland Martin, journalist, author and guest on CNNs “Anderson Cooper 360” Wednesday said, “Remember this is an issue of sexism first and racism second.”

Denise Michaels, Las Vegas author of “Testosterone-Free Marketing: The Yin and Yang of Marketing for Women” (www.MentoringwithDenise.com ) is a marketing expert for women business owners. Michaels says that no matter how many strategic business tips she provides her clients, "Our business growth can't happen any faster than our personal growth."

She provides insight into the effects of women who repeatedly hear degrading, dehumanizing comments. “I mentor women who realize they hold back from ‘getting out there.’” A subtle undercurrent still characterizes women as “not okay” or “unfeminine” if they’re too bold or ambitious. The result? They hold back from doing their best in business. In my experience at the core is a fear of criticism and ridicule.” Michaels has mentored over 1,200 home-based business owners in marketing.

Debra Condren, Ph.D. and author of “Am-BITCH-ous” echoes Michaels’ sentiments when she says in her book, “What makes us feel we have to deny that part of who we are, that part of ourselves that is aching, on some level, to recognize our ambition as a worthy part of our makeup?”