Prominent media figures are climbing over each other to offer their opinions on the Imus affair, but, until now, we had yet to hear from one of the most important voices of the age. It was worth the wait.

Here's my opinion: Instead of getting rid of him, I wonder how someone can help him better understand WHY he said what he said. While firing him is a satisfying short-term solution - I think there's an opportunity to make bigger change by working with him to change his mind-set. Think about it: He's almost 70 years old. That doesn't excuse what he said - but to put it in context: When he was a kid, our country was a very different place with regard to race. Even if he IS a flat-out racist (and this wasn't just a one-time show of poor judgment) as you know, he's not the only racist person out there.

Perhaps if he can learn something through this tense situation, he can share it with his listeners. Whether we like it or not, there are many more like him - and plenty of them listen to him, literally, every day. Like attracts like.

Thank you, former Seventeen editor Atoosa Rubenstein! Anything else to add, Big Momma?

[A]s Martin Luther King, Jr. said in his "I Have a Dream Speech" in 1963: "We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity..." There may not be "For Whites Only" signs on stores anymore but with caustic comments like the one Imus made, there may as well be one on his radio show.

The 'Toos also provides a helpful link to the "I Have a Dream" speech, which she notes is "a good read." There you have it, tribe! End racism! Definitely click over to Atoosa's space, the plea is much more convincing with the bouncy kitty icon above it.

Do You Think Imus Should Be Fired? [Atoosa's Space]