IMUS RESIGN? Sharpton, Imus (inset)

Don Imus is already in hot water with black community leaders, having called the Rutgers University women's basketball squad a bunch of "nappy-headed hos" on his radio show. Today Reverend Al Sharpton took it even further, accusing Imus of being racist towards white people as well and sticking to his position that the embattled host must resign.

"I really do understand the horrible damage I've done to these young women," Imus lamely lamented during the tail end of his two-hour stint on Sharpton's show. "Now they have some old cracker on the radio calling them some kind of name so they have to deal with that." Sharpton then made it clear he wouldn't tolerate that type of language. "The term 'cracker' you use on yourself ... I would appreciate if you would respect your own race on my show."

Imus was for the most part somber and contrite, repeatedly expressing his desire to set up a face-to-face meeting with the offended players, their parents, and school officials to formally apologize. Still, the mood was testy. After referring to Sharpton and a female caller as "you people," and then explaining that the phrase was not intended as a catch-all for black folk, Sharpton shot back, "I'm dealing with a guest who called women 'nappy hos' and I'm supposed to know what you meant?"

Imus also denied referring to black PBS anchor Gwen Ifill as "a cleaning lady," instead claiming that the remark came during a satirical comedy sketch meant to highlight the racism of the Reagan Administration. He went on to cite his work raising awareness of sickle-cell anemia and assisting cancer-addled black children at his ranch in New Mexico as proof that he is not, in fact, racist. ("If I had been thinking I wouldn't have said this," was a common Imus refrain.) Still, Sharpton wouldn't budge on his call for Imus's resignation. After Imus asked Sharpton if he would come on his show, the reverend retorted, "Are you gonna announce it as your last?"