We have also seen and maybe even participated in a simultaneous debate on political correctness and freedom of speech. Let me refresh your memory.

On April 4, 2007, Imus referred on-air to the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos" during a discussion about the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Imus was not the first radio personality to utter such a phrase on air, however, Imus's conduct gained national attention. On April 9, Imus appeared on Rev. Al Sharpton's syndicated radio talk show to address the controversy. Sharpton called the comments "abominable", "racist", and "sexist", and repeated his earlier demand that Imus be fired. Imus said, "Our agenda is to be funny and sometimes we go too far. And this time we went way too far. Here's what I've learned: that you can't make fun of everybody, because some people don't deserve it.”

On April 11, 2007, NBC announced that MSNBC would no longer simulcast Imus in the Morning, effective immediately. While the decision came on the same day that several advertisers deserted Imus, the network also said employee concerns played a role. Several of NBC's high-profile African-American personalities, including Al Roker, opposed Imus' return. The next day, CBS canceled Imus in the Morning, effective immediately.In an internal memo, CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Les Moonves said that employee concerns were a factor in the decision to cancel Imus's show. However, he said that the decision was "about a lot more than Imus." Moonves said that CBS had to take Imus off the air in order to change "a culture that permits a certain level of objectionable expression that hurts and demeans a wide range of people."

I’m going somewhere.

On April 23, 2007, in the wake of Don Imus' firing many activists in the black community turned their attention to Rap/Hip-Hop’s misogynistic lyrics and began to question what steps the music industry should take to police itself.

Soon after, Rev. Al Sharpton, Russell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis, on behalf of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, issued a recommendation that the recording and broadcast industries voluntarily censor the "misogynistic" words, including words that cannot be mentioned in this article from future recordings. Rev. Sharpton vowed to take his fight against Rap/Hip-Hop into various corporations' boardrooms, by buying stock in companies that promote the music. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) recently announced that it has launched an initiative called 'The Stop Campaign' which will aim to end racist and sexist language, images and concepts in the media.

I’m going somewhere. Watch this.

It is correct that Don Imus’ racial epithet was offensive and he should have been reprimanded for his remarks. It is correct that the Rap/Hip-Hop music and culture has for too long been misogynistic and vulgar. It also correct that most genres of music have the “pockets” of music that is offensive and vulgar at best. There should be corrective actions taken to “clean up” the music. However, who decides who says what? Who are the political correctness police? Who decides what is offensive and what isn’t? Who decides what you and I can say and cannot say?

Jesus addressed this matter in the New Testament, as he knew that we would have to deal with this because he dealt with it as well. In Matthew 15:10-14, “Jesus called the crowd to him and said, ‘Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean.' Then the disciples came to him and asked, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?’ He replied, ‘Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.’ "

The Pharisees were offended by what Jesus said. Throughout the gospel narrative they tried to “censor” Jesus and tell him what he was not “allowed” to say because THEY said that it was not correct for Him to say. Sound familiar? Jesus’ referred to the Pharisees as being “blind guides.” Then he completes his point by saying, if a blind man leads a blind man, they “both will fall into a pit.” What we have to be careful of is following those who are the self-appointed “police” in American/Western Society. When they view something said as being offensive, they then gather together the offended and attack the offender.

“Offended” in the Greek is “Skandalizo.” Skandalizo means, "to offend, and to cause a person to begin to distrust and desert one whom he ought to trust and obey.”

Jesus knew that we would be faced with this “spirit of offense” when he stated in Matthew 24:10 that “…many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” This is where we are right now. Let’s look back at what CBS President and Chief Executive Officer Les Moonves said. He said that Imus’ firing was more about changing "a culture that permits a certain level of objectionable expression that hurts and demeans a wide range of people."

Here’s where I am going.

If we join in and support the “political correctness” movement where will it lead to next? If we join in the debate of condemning those who are the offenders with their rhetoric, how long will it be before the arrows of attack turn towards those who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ? What will happen if we empower those who are protecting everyone from anyone saying anything offensive turn and tell us to stop preaching Christ and Him crucified? What will happen when people will leave church and report to “them” that they were offended by what was said in the sermon? What will happen when preachers, teachers, and missionaries begin to be cited and even jailed for preaching and teaching against sin?

Don Imus was wrong for what he said about the Rutgers Women’s Basketball team. Hip-Hop needs to clean up its “act.” We often pose the question, “What would Jesus do?” Now I ask you, what are you <