I did something out of character yesterday. I sent an email to the Vice-president of K-95 (a country radio station here in Richmond.) I've never done this sort of things before, but I had been thinking I needed to voice my opinion on some things regarding their radio station. Here's why: A few weeks back I was listening to the morning show. They were promoting the Jessica Simpson concert and Catfish made some off-color comments regarding her supposed weight gain. I rolled my eyes and ignored it.... but then he did it again the next day and the next. Then last week he made similar derogatory comments about someone else. Usually I will just brush it off, it wasn't said to me or about me so I will ignore it... but for some reason I couldn't let this go anymore. It seems to me that Catfish has been put in a position where people look up to him, everyone loves him. So it should follow that he's respectful and considerate in returne.
So I emailed Mr. Willoughby. The web site said he was the vice president... here's what I said:
Dear Mr. Willoughby,
I have been a loyal listener to K95 for quite some time now. I am 35
years old and began listening to your radio station in my teens. The
majority of my adult life I have worked evenings and nights in a local hospital
here in Richmond. A couple of years ago I switched to day-shift which
allowed me to listen to the locally esteemed Catfish and Lori. I work
45-50 hours a week and listen to K95 just about that much as well. The
majority of the time I enjoy their banter and their segments, however, I have a
growing concern about some off-handed remarks that have been made by
Catfish.
A few weeks back they were promoting the Jessica Simpson concert.
Catfish made several "humorous" remarks about her weight gain on multiple
occasions. Then again this earlier this week I heard him make similar
remarks about another woman, though I can't remember that woman's name. I
understand he's joking and probably means no offense by these remarks. I
can't help but be concerned though, I am starting a family with my husband and
we want to raise our family to accept all human beings and not to make fun of
their short-comings or imperfections, whatever they may be. I think with
all the tension and stress in the world right now listening to the radio should
be comforting and relaxing. In other words, I don't want to hear ugly
remarks about women's bodies.
Your station bills itself on being "family" oriented. but I would no
sooner allow my children to listen to these sorts of remarks than I will listen
to them myself. Mark Wills has a song that you play on your station fairly
often called "Don't Laugh at Me". Maybe Catfish should take some time to
listen to that song and hopefully regain some perspective and perhaps realize
the error of his ways. If he can't, then I suggest he simply just keep his
nasty remarks to himself and off your public radio station.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L Mobley
I read it to Mark... he said it was good until I got to the end and that I was a little nasty at the end. I don't think that's true though, I think I was just making my point clear. :) Mr. Willoughby responded by saying:
Thanks Jennifer, I will forward your email to Catfish and our program
director. Food for thought...
Take care,
Bob
So, we'll see. I don't know what else will happen with it and I'm not sure how far I'm willing to take it. Probably not very far. I just felt like saying my peace. I'm sure that it will just be brushed off as some chubby chick who hasn't had enough to eat.... but that's ok. Nothing can ever change unless you try. So I tried.
I'm curious to know if anyone reading this thinks I was wrong to send that email? It won't hurt my feelings, I'd just like to know what you would've done. I can be a bit reactionary, and I'm sure that played into my decision to send it... but I am what I am, ya know? I don't want anything, I'm not going to sue them. I just want to be heard. Hopefully I will be.
I'll let you know if I hear anything more.
8 comments:
I think it is wonderful that you sent the e-mail , I have a 14 year old daughter who since she was 7 has talked about dieting. She didn't get that from me. This is how eating disorders start.
Yeah to you for sending the email.
Yep I agree. Well written email. You go girl!
Thanks Ladies! That makes me feel better. It's definitely outside my "box" to do something like this, but I felt it was necessary. Maybe it's my age getting to me (I'll be 35 in April) but I just feel this sort of... frustration. I've certainly made my fair share of unkind comments about people... but it's just not funny anymore.
I agree - it's great that you did say what you feel about it. And it's not really that reactionary, since he'd make remarks a few times before you did anything anyway.
Not wrong at ALL. I think your letter is great and you were right on target to send it. I do that sort of thing and then wonder if i've been a little over the top too...but I think as you signed your name to it, it was not like you were taking something out on these people anonymously. You respectfully gave your opinion, which is more than they can say.
I think that it was fantastic that you sent this email. It is freedom of speech at it's finest. I don't think that it was mean in any way. We are a society that has become desensitized to other people, and I think that has a lot to do with our downfall. You are entitled to an opinion just as much as he is, the only thing you did differently was to not broadcast it to an entire listening arena!
Awww! Y'all rule. I needed to hear this stuff. Mark thought I was nasty toward the end, but I didn't think so.
I haven't heard anything back, but I might email the guy again and ask if there is anyone who can respond to it, I expected something, ya know?
Thank you everyone! for the support!
There's nothing wrong with that at all. It was very polite and not the least bit "chubby girl that needs something to eat." If you don't say how you feel they'll never know. And I'm sure you weren't the only one to send in an email.
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