The climate of America right now is such that on-air personalities in radio and television must tread ever so carefully when they are on the air. Offensive commentary will be dealt with harshly, leading to stiff penalties such as fines, suspensions, or even termination. Issues of race are at the top of the list of topics that are likely to cost a media personality their job. Knowing this, the topic is likely to be avoided altogether, if it were solely up to the broadcaster. If compelled (forced) to discuss issues of race because of public demand, the broadcaster will speak very carefully, making sure no word they utter can be construed by anyone as offensive. In so doing, the broadcaster will speak with no candor whatsoever, and their true feelings on the matter will be held in the silence of their heart. My question to the people who claim that they are crusaders for equality in America (to name them would be to publicize them, further serving their true motive.) is simply this;

How can we possibly improve race relations if we can't talk candidly about them?

Those who are calling for the firing of radio/television personality Don Imus are helping to continue, and further, the current political climate in America, a climate of fear. 'Say this, or we'll banish you'. 'Apoligize for that or we'll see that you never make another nickel in broadcasting'. The potential ramifications involved with speaking about race encourage the bottling up of thoughts and feelings. No problem ever got solved by the denial of its existance.

Of course, like most everyone else, I found Mr. Imus's comments regarding the Rutgers womens basketball team to be offensive. But, I submit to you, wouldn't the cause of race relations be better off if, instead of firing Don Imus, he became educated as to why his comments were so offensive? Why this comment was different than the thousands of fat jokes, anti-religion jokes, or anti-homosexual jokes he has made over the years. I believe that despite the repeated apoligies offered by Mr. Imus, he would still catogorize this comment as the same as all the others, the only difference being the fallout. If he were to be educated, though (which I'm certain he'd be open to, given his worldwide apology tour over the past few days), he could become an example for others in his industry.

If this incident opens up a healthy dialogue about race relations in America, it would be enormously positive for our future society at large. This said, a healthy dialogue will undoubtedly produce viewpoints that people on each side of the discussion are certain to find offensive. If we can cast our feelings aside, then perhaps we can achieve true progress. A problem rooted in hate and ignorance cannot be solved with hate and ignorance.

Sadly, this cannot happen in the current broadcast climate of America. For the moment, it's more likely to happen in a much more obscure venue such as this, where our words will fall on deaf ears out in the real world. Here's hoping that, someday, the climate will change.