Open Letter to Randi Rhodes of Air America in response to her segment "Why Imus and Why Now"

On April 10, 2007 Randi Rhodes asked her listeners "Why Imus and Why Now" after he has been spewing filth over the American airwaves for over three decades. For over an hour she took calls and shot down everyone's reasoning on "why now?" including those who said it's because of the racial slurs. Her conclusion was that this was a calculated attack on a "shock jock" who is supposed to be held less accountable for the things he says than such radio hosts as Rush Limbaugh. Randi's argument is that Imus is being attacked because it will send a message to others that they are not immune considering their words are not even said with as much "humor" as those of Imus.

It is my opinion that "why now?" is because we've had enough. He's been slandering everybody for much to long and after the racist and sexist attack on women who are trying to earn their degree, participate in school sports, and just go on with their lives we're finally telling him he has stepped over his boundaries.

While I am forever appreciative of the voice Randi provides to radio I am not going to let her hijack this issue so easily. I see too many people who think this is a complicated act against Republicans, or Democrats, or conservative radio, etc. Maybe it's just that America is learning to not tolerate racism, sexism, and degradation when it rears its ugly head.

Randi,

It is impossible for you to completely understand my position on Imus' racist, sexist, trashy, and uncalled for remarks. It is equally impossible for me to fully understand some feminine issues you may delve into because I am a man. While I appreciate your compassion for this issue you cannot go beyond intellectualizing it.

Imus attacked our Black children. In response, we are coming down on him with deserved negative attention. If you cannot fathom that Imus is being attacked "simply" in response to his racist attack on our children that is fine but do not show a lack of appreciation by quickly dismissing every person in dissention with your view who believes this is an issue of race.

Your claim of this being a complex move strategically made to make the less jovial, conservative radio hosts think "this could happen to me" is self serving. Whenever Blacks have striven for upward mobility White people have ridden on their coattails even though they already have more than enough. After the Civil War Lincoln tried to remove Africans and African Americans from the country and share-cropping took advantage of the newfound "freedom". In the 1960's the Women's Rights movement coupled itself on the phenomenal force of the Civil Rights movement. Today we see a less spectacular form of "How can I take advantage of this" in the form of liberal talk radio using the issue of Imus defaming these Black women via our national airways as a leaping point to shake up conservative radio. Others want to use the issue as an example of the "cunning" of the right wing where they are getting rid of yet another "anti Republican" rabble rouser.

Selfish is it not, considering Air America has one (?) or is it two (?) Black radio hosts who do not even have premium times. Your assessment and those agreeing with that assessment do not realize how much of a narrow base there is in that kind of thought. If you were Black you would not have your show and maybe then you would understand.

If you would entertain the thought for a moment, you would possibly consider that maybe, just maybe, Black people care deeply about what happens to their people, their sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and so on. Imus deserves to be fired for his transgression and should never see radio again. He must be punished for his disgraceful, derogatory statements.

What plans you and anyone creating issues outside of the main one do is your business. Let us respect our own motives though.