Our letter to the public,

For some reason, the representatives of Don Imus feel they can insult the intelligence of fair-minded people in America.  Just a few months after his reference to innocent, young black women as a group of “nappy headed hoes”, there are efforts and negotiations to get him back on national radio.  It appears that those who represent Imus simply told him to “wait a few months and the angry black people will go away.”
 
While some might think that protests by the black community have a limited shelf life, this could not be further from the truth.  The reality is that movements of the 21st century exist within a different paradigm.  The Jena 6 case showed clearly that with the power of the Internet and related ability to circumvent mainstream media (which has not properly served the interests of black people), there is a fresh ability for people to engage in the truest freedoms of America reflected in our power to protest.
 
We at YourBlackWorld want to use this power to challenge the likes of Don Imus, Bill O’Reilly and others who have felt that the power of the airwaves has justified their continued abuse of people of color.  Their remarks, hatred, and bullying has done nothing more than perpetuate the racist foundations of our country.  America cannot move forward if these individuals are continuously given platforms that allow them to spew such rhetoric.
 
Don Imus’ individual right to freedom of speech is respected, but his right to use hate speech via the support of a corporation funded with consumer dollars is not.  Similar to the fact that Americans would not have chosen to support Nike had they chosen to sponsor Michael Vick, fair-minded Americans should choose not to support any network or corporation that decides to sponsor Don Imus.
 
We are calling for the following:
 
1)      Any organization considering putting Don Imus on the air is warned in advance that signing him will lead to prolonged, relentless protest and potential boycotts of your network.  Your network will be clearly defined as an enemy to people of color and to fair-minded Americans everywhere.
2)      Corporate sponsors who sign deals to have their products on the air of such a show will be held accountable for their desire to profit from an individual who has made a reputation for hate.
3)      Dignitaries, politicians and other respected individuals will have their credibility questioned should they choose to be guests on such a show.  For example, Republican presidential candidates who chose to pass the presidential debate sponsored by African-Americans, but then choose to come onto Imus’ show, will be subject to question and scrutiny.  People of color will no longer allow themselves to be disrespected.
 
Individuals who would like to sign the petition to keep Imus off the air are encouraged to do so.  We support the National Association of Black Journalists and other organizations in our initiative.  The fight will never stop.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
Dr. Boyce Watkins
YourBlackWorld.com