Comments on: Reaching Out

By: Kendra Wilder

Kendra Wilder — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 05:15:52 +0000

Ms. Bigelow: In surfing the blogosphere I came across a reference to your clarification of Bigelow’s advertising decisions subsequent to the Don Imus / Rutgers basketball team imbroglio, which read in part:

“….I just wish we had a chance to allow something positive to come from all this divisiveness, for us all to reach a higher place.”

Please allow me to aplaud you for this crucial insight. Far too many people reacted in a knee-jerk fashion, and jumped on the “political correctness” bandwagon without allowing Mr. Imus and the impressive women of the basketball team to sort out their issues personally in a meaningful and enduring fashion.

Now I can see from some of the comments here that many people have completely misundertood Bigelow’s decisions, and are threatening to stop patronizing Bigelow. This is a darn shame, as there have already been way too many misconceptions spawned by the unfortunate Imus/Rutgers Team imbroglio.

Compounding the situation by penalizing innocent advertisers would only cause senseless hardship when Imus has directly confronted his own bigotry and made heartfelt and sincere penitance for his wrong-headed opinions. And the women of the Rutger’s team obviously have faith and trust in his sincerity, and have graciously accepted his apologies and repentance.

For my own peace of mind, I intend to make sure that everyone I know who is a tea drinker will find out the truth in this situation. And I will gladly encourage them to try the many fine Bigelow Teas that I have enjoyed on and off for years. Being a die-hard java junkie, I still enjoy a lovely tea brew as a nice change of pace.

From now on, Bigelow Teas will be at the top of my list.

Thank you for your genuine integrity in this difficult situation, and all the best to you, and the Bigelow family and extended employee family.

Kind regards,
Kendra Wilder

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 23:15:47 +0000

My guess is Mr.Jackson used his blackmail techniques against CBS. Again the African-American warlords divide this country more.

On a side note we are all one RACE, the human race!

Sarah

By: TJ

TJ — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:43:20 +0000

Thank you for your wonderful products.

Your variety of teas have helped me during the past year with my struggle to break a dependence upon alcohol.

During my five-year alcoholic reign of terror, I have said many mean and hurtful things that I never would have said (or even thought) if I had been sober. I may not agree with Mr. Imus’s words, but I understand the destructiveness of an unfortunate slip of the tongue.

Please look for positives and continue your support of worthy projects.

By: Ginger Pyle

Ginger Pyle — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 01:07:52 +0000

This seems to have disappeared, so I’m putting it on again to make sure it wasn’t CENSORED.
I will be returning my unused Earl Grey tea to your corporate office. I am so sad to see in action the so-called “ethics” of your company.
I do not find it “American” to place a laser beam of blame onto one individual because of the ills of the whole society.
IMO, that’s what you have helped to do!
P.S. I’ve ordered an IMUS coffee giftpack online.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 22:25:35 +0000

Cindi,
I was a daily listener to the Imus in the Morning Show. Maybe I was just numb but I don’t agree that he constantly used Racist & Sexist jokes.

In your words, I ” hope and pray this world still does allow for redemption”

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 20:32:28 +0000

As someone who only purchased your product in response to the advertisements on the Imus show, I was somewhat taken aback by your politically-correct rush to judgement re: advertising on his show. While I am not defending his lapse in judgement in this instance, your appalling lack of fortitude in the face of criticism from the real racists spoke louder than any words that were uttered. Count me as a former Bigelow Tea drinker also. After all, tea is tea. Loyalty, however, appears to be a lot harder commodity to obtain.

By: Gregory Lee

Gregory Lee — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:49:56 +0000

When I heard that Imus had “thanked” Bigelow for supporting him, I had to check this site to see for myself whether it was true. As a life long (generational)tea drinker, I needed to determine if Bigelow would stay on my shelf. I’m still not sure. I applaud you for continuing your support of the charities that you have been endorsing for several years. That’s not adverstising for Imus, but wouldn’t you agree that he “pimped” you by claiming on air that you were supporting him? I am more upset by the characterization of this whole incident by those who want you to support Imus. Review those comments and notice how few of them mention one syllable about the victims in this incident - the women of Rutgers. Where is the outrage? Don’t these people have daughters? These women were called “tramps” in the vernacular. Was it racist, too? Of course. If Rutgers had been an all white team, what comparable comment could Imus or anyone else have made - there’s a bunch of dumb blondes - OUCH! That would be rude, but you know it wouldn’t be the same. These writers who can only describe what Imus said as “unfortunate, unacceptable, or inappropriate” are apologists for hate-speech. You yourself should make a much stronger statement of repudiation, because such weak pronouncements sound like your company is trying to have it both ways. Where is the indignity? And don’t make this a referendum about Sharpton, Jackson or rap music. This is NOT about them. It is about 18, 19 and 20 year old women - teens really, being denigrated in front of millions of people. How can you or these writers not be OUTRAGED?!

By: Olga Tompkins

Olga Tompkins — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 17:05:34 +0000

I am a Bigelow tea drinker because of Imus. I will miss drinking your fine product because of your premature decision to pull the advertising. I also have a daughter who is a Rutgers graduate. Imus’ one remark was stupid and insensitive. However he has repeatedly apologized and expressed his intent to improve the situation. It would have been much more effective to have him remain on the air and work on this solution in the same way he has addressed veterans health care and the autism crisis. You and the other advertisers responded to people who are radio/TV market competitors and/or have a political agenda. I am hopeful that Imus will return to satellite radio and I will use the money I am saving on tea to pay to listen.

By: Jenna Smith

Jenna Smith — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 03:48:36 +0000

Dear Cindi:

Imus occasionally offended people-but so do hosts such as Rush Limbaugh, who openly mocked Michael J. Fox’s Parkinsons Disease symptoms, and Michael Savage, who routinely makes fun of autistic individuals.

It is absolutely ridiculous that he was fired. I am the mother of an autistic child, and Imus was the only major media person in America to address the current autism epidemic in an honest manner. He also does an enormous amount of charity work for children suffering from cancer, and for wounded soldiers in need of rehabilitation services.

I have worked as an attorney for large corporations for over 20 years, and having worked extensively with PR departments, I can attest to the fact that the content of the mainstream media today unfortunately has devolved to little more than big company PR spin. I believed Imus’ honesty and courage in addressing current issues was unmatched by anyone in the media today. The loss of his voice is tragic–and unnecessary.

I love your tea, and will resume purchasing it when I see you sponsoring Imus again.

Most sincerely,

Jenna Smith

By: Angela S

Angela S — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 23:56:14 +0000

Thank you for supporting the radiothon.

I will miss Imus. Yes his comments were offensive. But the punishment did NOT fit the crime.