More than 6 days after a pair of NYC radio disk jockeys played a racist song parodying the Southeast Asian tsunami disaster, the radio station has suspended (but not fired) the people involved.
This kind of racism and ignorance is sadly a reality, even in 2005. It’s worse that it comes from an African-American host who had a co-host who is Asian-American.
Let us hope that the FCC steps in and penalizes Hot 97 and their corporate parent for what was a horrendously racist radio show.
Asian Media Watch | Hot 97 WQHT-FM Radio Hosts Sing of ‘Africans Drowning,’ ‘Screaming Chinks,’ and ‘Chinamen’ Tsunami Victims
also
Hot 97 suspends morning crew over tsunami ‘parody’ [nynewsday.com}
“It’s worse that it comes from an African-American host who had a co-host who is Asian-American.”
What a stupid bastard!
She’s an idiot and should be fired on the spot…and don’t give that garbage about free speech… USE SOME COMMON SENSE and SOME RESPECT! More here: http://www.garraud.net/rays/2005/01/how_low_can_you.html
I’m curious how you view things like South Park? For example the Chinese character that runs the local “City Wok” restaurant. Is that racist in your eyes? Is it not because the show rags on everyone?
This is not an excuse for whatever that channel did. It’s not even related except that I don’t believe all race related comedy is racist and I’m curious if you do.
Throwing around charged terms like “racism” inappropriately tends to devalue them. I didn’t hear the Hot 97 piece, but I saw a transcript – it looked to be offensive, cruel and mean-spirited. However, I don’t think that “racism” is exactly the term that I would use to describe it.
But, of course, I’m a round-eye barbarian, so what do I know?
cdg
Yea, I had a discussion of this with my teacher and it’s interesting because it seems like the real issues are
1) it was insensitive since people actually died
That’s the #1 issue
2) it wasn’t funny.
If it was actually funny it suspect it might not have touched off such a big outcry. If you actually listen to it it has 2 racially charged words and it makes fun of Michael Jackson and indirectly people of African decent in general.
It was broadcast by an African American DJ and his Asian American assistant. That IS NORMAL COMEDY!! Chris Rock, Chris Tucker, Margaret Cho, and a zillion other comedians make racist comedy all the time but since they are “inside” we except it. This was inside as well. The only real unusual thing is that it was about people who died. So, racism is NOT the issue here.
i think hot 97 are idots and this was not funny. They made fun off people that are died or lost someone.I hope these peoples love ones die and then im gona wirte a song from them.(What will we do with people like this in our world.)