MECHANICSBURG, Pa./EWORLDWIRE/July 5, 2007 --- Author R.L. Owensby offers the following Open Letter to the Public:About a week ago, Oprah did a show on the firing of Don Imus. You may remember him as the radio host who made derogatory remarks concerning the Rutgers Women's basketball team and was fired for his comments.
Well, Oprah's guests were a few of the "experts" who spoke against Imus's remarks and some key players in the hip hop community, who use the same terms (and sometimes worse) that Don Imus was fired over.
At the end of the show, Oprah asked the million dollar question "What now?" In other words, where do we go from here. No one could accurately answer the question. Why? I'll tell you why. Don Imus is not the problem.
Furthermore, let me say this- alcohol or drugs is not the problem, racism is not the problem, pornography is not the problem, hip hop is not the problem, politicians are not the problem, etc. These are only symptoms that America has a real problem.
Think of it this way. Life is a huge tree. On that tree, fruit grows. No matter how good that tree may be, there is a great potential that rotten fruit may be found on it. That is life. However, remove the rotten piece of fruit. Another rotten piece grows. When rotten fruit continues to grow on the tree, one has to realize that maybe the fruit is not the problem at all. Maybe the root of the tree is bad.
Don Imus was a rotten piece of fruit. When he was removed, that did not change the tree. In his place, another rotten piece or two or three will grow. Like Don Imus, other people and subjects that were deemed bad have been the focus of public scrutiny. And rightfully so, if I may add. However, dealing with or getting rid of such minor details is like putting a band aid on cancer. It covers the scar, but does not deal with the real issue.
Why?
Listen up America, look around you. Bad fruit is everywhere. We can step outside and see that things are going wrong, terribly wrong. Turn on the T.V. and watch hours and hours of rotten fruit. Go to work and listen or see more rotten fruit. Visit your local grocery store or the mall- more rotten fruit. It is around us everywhere. From disrespectful kids, to road rage, to celebrities being everything but role model "like." We are surrounded by rotten fruit. The only way to eliminate our contact with this ocean of rottenness is to stay in our home and become hermits or we can deal with the root.
The solution is simple. Fix the home, fix the problem.
For more information about the problem and the solution, read "We B. Family" by R.L. Owensby. Order at Amazon.com , BarnesandNobles.com, or 'http://www.trafford.com/07-0093'.
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