Rutgers Women’s Basketball & the Racist Radio Host (Pt 1)

Long before Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese were shattering records and making national headlines, there was the 2007 Rutgers team. The New Jersey players had a Cinderella season, powering their way to the Final Four in an extraordinary triumph. But instead of being celebrated, the young women were attacked – dismissed and belittled in an infamous on-air slur by the popular radio host Don Imus. In this episode, Susie and Jess revisit the moment which sparked a national firestorm – and a much-needed conversation about racism, sexism and women’s sports. They also welcome two women who were there: former Rutgers captain and WNBA star Essence Carson, and the journalist Jemele Hill, who reported on the story in real time.

GUESTS: 

• Essence Carson, former WNBA star, Rutgers captain and current creative executive
• Jemele Hill, Emmy award-winning journalist

FOR MORE:

• The Imus Fallout: Who Can Say What? (Time, 2007)
• Trash Talk Radio (by Gwen Ifill NYT, 2007)
• Take A Stand Against Indecency And Cruelty (by Jemele Hill, ESPN) 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.