Summary

Asus Butterfly, a writer, offers T.J. Holmes, a fellow Southern native and journalist, advice to rebuild his career and reputation by leveraging his past achievements, focusing on issues relevant to Black America, and embracing transparency and accountability.

Abstract

In an open letter to T.J. Holmes, Asus Butterfly empathizes with the journalist's recent controversies, reminding him of his significant accomplishments and the support he has received from the Black community. The author encourages Holmes to start his own podcast, drawing from his experience and expertise to discuss important issues affecting Black Americans. The letter emphasizes the importance of owning one's narrative, apologizing for past mistakes, and using one's platform to effect positive change. Asus Butterfly suggests that Holmes should not dwell on negative publicity but instead focus on his strengths, intelligence, and the love he has garnered from his audience.

Opinions

The author believes that T.J. Holmes's past achievements, such as his role at CNN and ABC's GMA3, are significant and should not be overshadowed by recent scandals.
There is a perception that Holmes's current podcast does not align with his true character and capabilities, which the author describes as private, high-achieving, and intelligent.
The author suggests that Holmes's show on BET, Don't Sleep, was undervalued due to its timing and placement, not its content or host.
The letter conveys that Holmes has a responsibility to address and apologize for the hurt he has caused to his family and the Black community.
Asus Butterfly expresses a

Dear T.J. Holmes,

Please, let me help you…

Reminder to be you. Your “voice” matters. / Photo by Polina Kovaleva

Like you, I come from a good, imperfect family in a small town in the South. Like you, God took his time with me, and I have beautiful blend of gifts, talents, charm, and good looks. Like you, all things worked together for me until they did not.

I rooted for you as a young, Black professional seeing another doing the damn thing on CNN every weekend. I rooted for your marriage and growing family.

I rooted-rooted (you know Black folks double it up to mean extra) for you when you left CNN to have a news show on BET. Oh! You won Black America’s heart with that move.

I’m going to stop right there because that is where my help begins.

Like you, I have to remind myself of what I have accomplished because the world, society, colleagues, and even friends and family, may try to remind you of all you have done that was not good. They will try to tell you that you can’t recover.

Maybe they couldn’t, but they are not you. You are the guy from West Memphis Arkansas that earned a desk at CNN at 29! You are the guy who made his way to ABC’s GMA3!

Sure, in the last year we’ve heard quite a few surprising things that may cast doubt on your character and reputation.

BUT!

Along the way, you won the heart of Black America, and I don’t think you lost it, but you may need to remind Black America of the love.

You left CNN for BET. You brought all that supreme journalism to help Black America wake up with your show, Don’t Sleep. I think the show didn’t get the views because of the timing — it was ahead of its time and too late at night.

So, here’s my solution to you.

Don’t Sleep.

Don’t Sleep on your accomplishments and the grace of Black America. Don’t Sleep on “your why” for leaving CNN for BET. That “why” still exists!

Get your own podcast. Pull from your savings, establish T.J. Holmes Media, buy the best audio and visual equipment, hire highly skilled operators and editors, and BE who YOU are!

On your current podcast, I hear a guy, whose entire name America didn’t know until last year, tell so many details about his personal life. I don’t believe that guy is you. This is not you.

You are a private guy.

You are a high achiever.

You are intelligent.

Your current podcast is beneath you, and you know it.

You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to sell your relationship or be a sidekick.

Remember what you have accomplished and remember who you are.

Now, it is time to add entrepreneur to your resume.

Again, Don’t Sleep.

Start your own podcast. Talk about the issues pertinent to Black America, especially in this upcoming election season. Discuss the pay disparity of Black women across professions and invite a Congressman on to discuss how to fix it. Discuss health care and debunk/prove concerns with certain medications, vaccines, etc with a reputable, Black physician on your show. That’s just two awesome ideas and I know you have more because you’re smart!

One last thing…bring that transparency to the first show of your podcast. In the beginning, acknowledge that you’ve hurt your former spouse, daughter, family, and maybe even Black America with the way things rolled out in the past year. Apologize, and say, “Now it is time to discuss bigger topics that have an effect on the quality of your life and strategize how to be the change you seek. I’m T.J. Holmes, and you’re watching .”

Please do this!

Thank you! ~Asus Butterfly

P.S. I’m still rooting for you — even as a Black women whose scars were scratched a bit by your scandal. Only the Dr. Umar types judge you and we don’t even know if we like him/them. Peace.

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