Of the ten beautiful, accomplished, championship athlete students labeled so vividly and unfairly by political radio host Don Imus, Heather and Katie aren't even African-American. Essence is a classical pianist. Half are freshmen (freshwomen? freshgirls?) just out of high school and by university policy are therefore considered not yet ready for media interaction.

THEY were labeled, these ten young women. Not a race, not a sex, sport or constituency. These particular, extraordinary and now extraordinarily visible young women. No one has apologized to them. Why should labeling them be a matter decided by a fight between Don Imus and Al Sharpton?

Imus could be in real danger if the outcry causes advertisers to shy away from him, said Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio. The National Organization for Women is also seeking Imus' ouster.

Imus isn't the most popular radio talk-show host — the trade publication Talkers ranks him the 14th most influential — but his audience is heavy on the political and media elite that advertisers pay a premium to reach. Authors, journalists and politicians are frequent guests — and targets for insults.

He has urged critics to recognize that his show is a comedy that spreads insults broadly.

A reporter just asked whether the remarks were more offensive as a woman or as an African-American.

Kia, the player who responded first, said that personally she found "ho" the most offensive. Now Essence Carson the team captain is seconding that, saying she and her teammates are trying to speak up for women.
"It's just not acceptable," she said simply.

"How is your cultural consciousness going to allow you to help change it?" a male reporter asked.

"I think it kinda scars us . . . I think we've come a long way from where we were, but I think this has scarred me for life. I've dealt with racism before but for it to be in the public eye like this, it's probably something that I'll tell my granddaughter or even a group of kids where I came from . . .it needs to be dealt with."

Essence complimented their coach as a role model, and said, "We embody her. . .and we're just glad to be women. . .I'm no broadcasting genius, I'm no networking genius but I would like to see some good come out of this."