Dear Mr. Imus...

I'm writing this letter to let you know how I feel about your remarks. I am an African American woman with two daughters. My first thoughts were that you called someone's daughter, sister and perhaps mother a nappyheaded ho. I was angry and saddened, but not surprised. We do live in a world where racism exists...always has, always will. I know your show insults and slams people, but usually they are well known and have done something deserving, these young ladies did nothing but play hard and make it to the championship game, not deserving of being called nappy headed hos. I don't think I equate your comments with being a racist, I think you just got caught up in the hype and the heat of the moment. I hear black people make demeaning comments about people of other races, but I wouldn't label them racist. I think racism is seen in actions, not words.

My next thoughts then went to why you would call them such. Where in the world would you, a middle aged White man hear such words? I then had to get angy with the African American community. We often degrade and call each other demeaning names. Our comedians and musicians lace their shows and songs with words such as hos, tricks, and *itches, referring to Black women. I then asked myself, why do we as a community just let that pass, but the minute a White person uses such expressions we get angry. I guess it's the same as when I talk about my kids, mother, sister, or father, but no one else better not say one negative word or I'll defend them. But that doesn't make it right does it?

So as I watch the media make a circus out of this, I feel saddened. I'm sad because instead of using this to talk about racism and how it is a taught behavior, there are people calling for your firing. How is that going to help? It will just breed more contempt and hatred. People are saying that racism should not be tolerated in any workplace, again, I say, wake up. Firing one person is not going to change things. We have to change the way people think and their perceptions. I'm saddened because Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are using this as a publicity stint instead of addressing the real issues. We need to be a proactive people and deal with our own issues, instead of being reactive. We wait until something happens or someone says something to start addressing issues. We need real leaders who aren't afraid to stand up to ANYONE, even our own people to bring change. Jackson and Sharpton do not speak for me. You have apologized and the Rutgers women's basketball team has agreed to meet with you so they can understand why you said those things. If they can move on, so can we. Isn't life about forgiveness? I mean don't both Sharpton and Jackson have the Reverend title? I'm sad because these women should be celebrating their accomplishments, but now have to deal with the media, and I wouldn't wish them on my worst enemy.

So I hope you've learned something from this and I hope that this will help people. I try to base my feelings on people individually, not as a group. This incident has helped me to remember to do so.