After reading your commentary I feel obligated to go deeper into detail regarding my comments about Don Imus. Your points were more than valid regarding Imus’s target as well as the timing of his statements. First, let me say that I am a mother: when my children are wrong, I don’t defend them, or else how will they learn to be better human beings. But when they are right and they have done everything they are supposed to do, I will defend them with my life. That is the situation here--these women did nothing to provoke those comments nor did they deserve them. You made a statement about being worthy, not to say that anyone is better or worse that anyone else. But life is not just about circumstances it is also about choices. Crystal Gail Magnum made a choice and hopefully she also learned an important lesson.

For a black woman to become successful takes an infinite amount of work and dedication. Should all that be thrown away because the ignorant and or the uninformed tarnish the images of black women? If that comment were made about my daughter I would hold no punches for the orator of such obscenities. There are poor and ignorant people of all races and the upper classes of all colors look down on them. I believe class is determined by goals and not by what we have. A rich man is low-class if he wants nothing more out of his life. A single mother working and going to school to support her children I respect as upper class because she is striving for more.

Don Imus’s defenders attacked rap music to justify his actions. But I don’t believe for a second that Don Imus has a gangster rap album in his truck that influences him to say horrific things about black women. This is an older white male--it is safe to say he is not listening to gangster rap. He spoke his own racist views to the world and the community responded. Also, keep in mind that few African-Americans watch his show to begin with, so previous comments that were not publicized were more than likely unnoticed.

Kenya Franklin

Chicago, IL

At the end of his essay, Gary Younge mentioned Crystal Gail Mangum. Younge is correct when he labels the "Duke Liar" "Neither worthy nor apparently a victim." It is a shame that the Duke Lacrosse Team was subjected to criminal charges based upon a lie and prosecuted by suppressing decisive evidence. One of America's most honorable axioms, "Innocent until proven guilty," was trampled on. But another tragedy occurred because Crystal Gail Mangum fabricated her victimization. The next true victim of rape may not be believed because of this woman who cried "wolf." Only when perpetrators of false allegations are prosecuted can justice be served--justice for the falsely accused and justice for future victims.

Don Mathis
The Fourteen Percenter

Sherman, Texas