Kia Vaughan and Imus

We may have been aware of Don Imus’ statement about the Rutgers Women’s Basketball team calling them “nappy headed ho’s” but were we aware of any of the individual player’s names? Not on a national basis, even with the controversy over Imus’ poor choice of words.

Did any of us truly think that the members of the Rutgers Women’s Basketball team were prostitutes or promiscuous? Now comes Kia Vaughan [ed: just as a settlement for the breach of contract suit between CBS and Imus is announced] suing Don Imus for sullying her name and implying that she is ‘unchaste’.

I heard her attorney on FoxNews saying that she will be followed by this slander all her life, at interviews, anywhere she goes, even when talking to a future boyfriend or husband. Her life and reputation weren’t ruined by Imus’ poor choice of words on a radio show that not that many people heard when it was broadcast.

Someone brought it to the attention of the public sphere, getting it on all the news shows and in all the papers. It had pretty much been forgotten, but the settlement between CBS and Imus was announced which may have brought on a little bit of interest – mostly as a follow up.

If it had been left alone, it would have blown over even quicker than the original incident. Ms. Vaughan, by bringing suit, is keeping the public eye on herself AND on her connection with the “nappy headed ho” statement. She is doing this to herself.

Betsy’s thinking along the same lines…