Affronts against black women

Re “Imus is not alone,” Opinion, April 11

I want to express my whole-hearted agreement with Constance L. Rice. She says so clearly what I have always felt. The assaults on black women come from all fronts -- black men included. Why do our civil rights “leaders” think it is worth their time to punish Don Imus for saying things that athletes, actors and rappers have been saying for decades?

Imus is not the downfall of the black community; it is our lack of action and our unwillingness to confront such sexist, homophobic, classist and degrading comments and beliefs that our culture celebrates that contribute to the challenges we face as a race. Rice hits it on the head. I just hope that Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the rest take note.

MARIA MIRANDA

Cleveland

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If Rice thinks two wrongs make a right, she needs to reevaluate her definition of ethics. Just because one faction of society uses deplorable language (rap, hip-hop), that does not justify any other faction (talk radio) as it commits the same offense.

BARBARA SCHIFFLER

Encinitas, Calif.