Imus implications

My friends and I were discussing all the brouhaha with Don Imus. It's interesting how two different friends can have very different views of this controversy. It all comes down to stereotypes, a topic we are discussing in class. Communication is the crux of the himan being and how we communicate is very much based on our culture and envrionment. Those Rutgers players were offended. Imus was fired. Did he go to far? I think so, but it also brings up our beloved First Amendment. What speech is protected? Is there speech that should not be protected even if it is hateful? It's a fine line that likely will never be fully drawn to society's specifications since we are all so diffewrent. There is also the concept of stereotypes. Are all sterotypes negative. I have my students discuss this and the conversations often times become heated. But it is often a good discussion that allows students to hear different viewpoints. I suppose in understanding societies, we need to hear all viewpoints.