Since 2012, Melissa Harris-Perry has hosted one of the smartest shows anywhere on cable news. The courage and brilliance of she and her staff to tackle topics few others on network television will touch has produced a lifeline of visibility between the larger American public and those who are routinely erased and silenced by mainstream media. 

On February 26, 2016, she released to her public audience an e-mail she had sent to her staff, the full text of which can be read here:

https://medium.com/@JamilSmith/melissa-harris-perry-s-email-to-her-nerdland-staff-11292bdc27cb#.cswt2vbxe

Excerpts:

"Some unknown decision-maker, presumably Andy Lack or Phil Griffin, has added my name to this spreadsheet, but nothing has changed in the posture of the MSNBC leadership team toward me or toward our show. Putting me on air seems to be a decision being made solely to save face because there is a growing chorus of questions from our viewers about my notable absence from MSNBC coverage. Social media has noted the dramatic change in editorial tone and racial composition of MSNBC’s on-air coverage."

"Here is the reality: our show was taken — without comment or discussion or notice — in the midst of an election season. After four years of building an audience, developing a brand, and developing trust with our viewers, we were effectively and utterly silenced. Now, MSNBC would like me to appear for four inconsequential hours to read news that they deem relevant without returning to our team any of the editorial control and authority that makes MHP Show distinctive."

"I have stayed in the same hotels where MSNBC has been broadcasting in Iowa, in New Hampshire, and in South Carolina, yet I have been shut out from coverage. I have a PhD in political science and have taught American voting and elections at some of the nation’s top universities for nearly two decades, yet I have been deemed less worthy to weigh in than relative novices and certified liars."

"While MSNBC may believe that I am worthless, I know better. I know who I am. I know why MHP Show is unique and valuable. I will not sell short myself or this show. I am not hungry for empty airtime. I care only about substantive, meaningful, and autonomous work."

We, the undersigned and proudly-named Nerds who watch Melissa Harris-Perry's program, demand its immediate restoration to MSNBC with full editorial control to MHP. Many--if not most--of us consider it the crown jewel of political commentary on the network, and we will not rest until the executives at NBCUniversal and MSNBC understand the grave error they have made in silencing this crucial voice.