No one has confirmed that Black shock-comedian was behind the racist February Compton Cookout
Student Activism / March 1, 2010/ by Angus Johnston
Okay, I guess I have to address this, since it’s coming up more and more often in comments on my coverage of the UC San Diego situation: There is NO evidence that the black shock-comedian “Jiggaboo Jones” was behind last month’s racist “Compton Cookout” at UCSD. None. Zero.
Here’s the deal.
Sometime in early-to-mid-February, the invitation to the Compton Cookout party was posted on Facebook. As word of the party got around, complaints began to mount, and on February 16 the UCSD administration condemned the event.
Okay, I guess I have to address this, since it’s coming up more and more often in comments on my coverage of the UC San Diego situation: There is NO evidence that the black shock-comedian “Jiggaboo Jones” was behind last month’s racist “Compton Cookout” at UCSD. None. Zero.
Here’s the deal.
Sometime in early-to-mid-February, the invitation to the Compton Cookout party was posted on Facebook. As word of the party got around, complaints began to mount, and on February 16 the UCSD administration condemned the event.
On February 18, nearly a week after the party and two days after the scandal broke as a national story, a black comedian who goes by the name “Jiggaboo Jones” posted a video on YouTube claiming that he had thrown the party as a DVD release event. Right-wing websites and fringe journalists leaped to endorse this “debunking” of the story, particularly after subsequent racist incidents at UCSD began to make national news, and the claim has begun to find its way into more mainstream media coverage as well.
But Jones’ story doesn’t hold water, for a long list of reasons:
* His name appears nowhere on the invitation, nor does any mention of any DVD tie-in.
* No media coverage of the party mentioned his name until after he “confessed.”
* Nobody involved with the party has since come forward to confirm his involvement.
* Despite promoting his YouTube posts with promises of video from the party, he’s produced no such video.
A photo of Jones — wearing dark glasses and a Jheri curl wig, and holding a bucket of fried chicken — accompanied the original party invitation, but that’s the only link between him and the party other than his own claims. Again, there was no mention of him in the invitation, and nobody with any known link to the party has suggested that he was involved in any way.
Every piece of evidence that exists suggests that Jones’ claim is exactly what it looks like — a creepy self-promoter’s attempt to turn a thin, random connection to an ugly news story into a few moments of seedy notoriety.
And yes, I recognize that I’ve just given him what he wants, and yes, I’m disgusted by that.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Racism begins with our families, parents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, grandparents, people we admire, respect and love.
However, as we grow and mature we come to the realization that what we were told by our family when we were children were slanted lies base on their prejudices. We realize that most people are like ourselves and not so different and want the same things, like a home, steady work, a Medicare plan and schools for our children (if you travel you will see this). We realize that most people are of good hearts and goodwill.
This reminds me of a parable from the good book where a Levite and Priest come upon a man who fell among thieves and they both individually passed by and didn’t stop to help him.
Finally a man of another race came by, he got down from his beast, decided not to be compassionate by proxy and got down with the injured man, administered first aid, and helped the man in need.
Jesus ended up saying, this was the good man, this was the great man, because he had the capacity to project the “I” into the “thou,” and to be concerned about his fellow man.
You see, the Levite and the Priest were afraid, they asked themselves, “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?”
But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
That’s the question before us. The question is not, “If I stop to help our fellow man in need, what will happen to me?” The question is, “If I do not stop to help our fellow man, what will happen to him or her?” That’s the question.
This current climate of blaming, mocking or demeaning others for our own short comings, is not new, we have had this before and we have conquered it.
Remember “Evil flourishes when good men (and women) do nothing”. Raise your voices with those of us who believe we are equal and we can win this battle again
Is there any evidence that a party actually happened at all?
A good question Dave. I wondered when all this started why no one came forward and laid it all on Mr. Jones since he was claiming it, but I didn’t see where anyone came forward who had even been to the party.
And it doesn’t even matter if the party ever happened, the invite did.
(1) UCSD: A group of dumb white frat guys hold an event called a “Compton Cookout.” This pisses people off as it used Black History Month as a reason to mock black people with racist stereotypes. Also involved is some idiot who tries to use this opportunity for shameless self-promotion, who also happens to be black. To say the least, the guy is basically a wannabe Flavor Flav.
(2) UCSD: Another dumb white frat guy gets mad that blacks are offended of being relegated to a bigoted stereotype. He tries to hold another racist event.
(3) UCSD: Meanwhile, a terrible student media publication (which, after viewing their website consists of all white staff, nudity, staff wrestling each other, and well, not much else), pushes their limits calling black students “ungrateful n——” – not just that word, but also that apparently the black students owed them something. They have a reputation of being trashy, and at this point, administration and faculty rush to condemn racism by students of the campus and various protests begin. Funding is also cut from all student media at UCSD, creating an extra bitter controversy.
(4) UCSD: On Friday of that week, a noose is found in the library. Everything gets worked in a frenzy and – something I’ll address later – a large amount of white commenter’s on the internet begin claiming that is was probably a black student who planted it in order to gain more sympathy. In addition, there are rumors of a threatening note sent to the Guardian and a second noose, there was no second noose, and the threat seems to be just a rumor.
(6) UCSD: Protests basically happen at all schools in support of the students. There are various sit-ins, and teach-ins, and what have you. School administrators become pushed to be more active in fixing what’s going on.
I have not seen this noose person, but most of you blame her and conveniently forget wear this all originated.
Instead of an apology there has been steady escalation and now the noose. So, what exactly will the excuses be for this cowardly act that brings up memories of the confederate KKK of the South in their attempts to keep slavery and the non-whites in fear? Is it that are uneducated, is it that their parents planted these seeds of hate, is it that they are live in fear because our President in the white house is not 100% white. In my opinion this is what the republican party of “birthers, baggers and blowhards” have brought you. These kids follow what their dullard leaders say, they listen to Beck, Hedgecock, Hannity, O’Reilly, Rush and Savage and the rest of the Blowhards, they are young and dumb. Are you surprise at what they do when you know what they think?
It’s less the influence of Republicans, than of 4chan (an anonymous image board known for tasteless humor, for those who’ve been lucky enough to be unaware of it).
It’s seen as “witty” there to use the “nword” much the way a three year old thinks it’s funny to say “poop”, but there’s been an influx of kids who don’t even realize it was originally supposed to be a joke.
Thanks to 4chan, being a racist is now what all the “cool kids” are doing.
Sigh.
Most of what is said on 4chan is in jest. They mock all stereotypes and racists. No one is safe. And since everyone is mocked it isn’t really racism. And the more they mock, the more they take away the power the words once had.
They were also behind driving racist talk show host Hal Turner off the air, briging several pedophiles to justice and saving abused animals and brining the abusers to justice.
4chan doesn’t care about race, all they care about is lulz (and cats).
I’ve met many of those kids IRL, and they actually are some of least racist people you’d ever meet.
Remember, there is no race on the internt.
Hey Abby,
I like what you had to say here, because I think that this is the case here,the thing you said about the ‘intent’ of this event that started all of this reaction.
I believe the comedian playing JiggaBoo Jones is in the business of “schock” and he is just trying to do his act, get paid, and have fun.
That’s what he told me, and I have no reason not to believe that, and I have enough sense to know that those kids at that frat party or whatever party were not trying to be the kkk and all….but they did concern a lot of fellow students that have legitimate issues with this, as I do,so
I just do not understand why they would choose to escalate the controversy.
When I offend someone I respectfully apologise, no matter what, and then proceed to the possibility of transforming our relationship.
I understand everyone is different, and we are free to do what we want and all, but we all need to work together in order to function in this society, so if you insult someone,you should show respect and apologize,…no harm done, lesson learned , and we all can move on….
When that does not happen, and people get indignant about their behavior, then I question their intent.It’s all just stubbornness…
It is a social paradigm shift in values that is demanded for the community at large to be able to accept historical racial epitaphs , images and laws as fodder for amusement and entertainment.
There is legal and historical precedence here that can not be underestimated.
Why insist on being naive about a point that may be valid in some ways, and the possibility of society moving into the era where race is actually not an issue would be great!!!!…if that’s the point of all of this, then I can support that 100%.!!!…but I have some suggestions…
You are correct. And the more attention this gets, the more people get tense.
So how to defuse the situation now? I think a big apology would be a good start. But people are so worked up now I don’t know if it will help.
Some of them are joking.
It used to be most of them, but now, I assure you, there are many entirely serious neo-Nazi types on there, and what was once playing racist “just for lulz” is now more often entirely in earnest.
And don’t even get me started on the cat torture pics and CP… again, stuff that started as edgy irreverent shock humor & creative trolling has now attracted the real freaks in droves.
I’d be willing to put money on this John Gardner guy being a /b/tard.
I keep hoping moot is going to just shut the thing down finally.
Like many underground cultural phenomena do, it has become a victim of its own popularity.
@ Montana…I think you are on to something here!
I like how you sum up what is happening at UCSD, and the motivations of the bigoted students.
I know that as long as the bigots at UCSD feel like they are protected and entitled to demean minorities without any fear of significant retaliation,and from physical harm, then they will continue to campaign for a flourishing racist culture at that campus.
They do not have the heart to step outside the protected town of La Jolla, where it is illegal to be black, and come to the inner city and tell us up close and personally on city property that we are coons, niggers, and all a bunch of whiners…
It won’t happen because they are cowards, and the progeny of cowardly ancestors.
This is what you get form those that have no balls, and really are afraid to promote their brand of hatred in an part of town where they will predictably be silenced..by any means necessary…and the cops will not protect them from what’s coming to them.
…as for JiggaBoo Jones,…this is what happens to failed comedians,…they just sell out!
pay him no attention,until we need to …he is just a KKKlown.
In LA when the riots happened, the city leaders held a press conference with Rodney King and he did the …can we all get along….quote.
Bringing together all parties responsible on all sides in a moment of public clarity and possibly humility and mutual understanding and respect might be effective.
Throwing gasoline on the fire is not positive, and I like San diego.
A misunderstanding is a misunderstanding, but there is no need to disrespect or dismiss anyones opinion on the matter.
Etiquette is not a bad thing….
How can the author say there is no evidence of Mr. Jones involvement with the party?
While the author and everyone else can have their own opinion about his participation, his picture is evidence. Mr Jones has also said he had involvement. Sorry but the inconvenient truth is this is evidence.
I believe he was there, and that he sponsored it, simply because when we did communicate, he seemed genuinely upset!
…and he is not that good of an actor!
I don’t get how it is …”inconvenient”…that he was there?…
sorry,..not trying to disagree at this point, I just do not know what that is supposed to mean.
if possible, could you explain that…
What is inconvenient, as this story has evolved, is that the tasteless behavior has not been confined to just one race. Mr Jones and the Frat Boys should both share responsibility for the party. It is also likely that the noose in the library was left by a woman of color. It is also possible that the pillow case was left by those who would benefit by extending the unrest and extracting favors from UCSD. It is inconvenient for those protesting at UCSD to have people of color directly involved in these events when the aim of their protests is to blame the white race, white administration, and white faculty.
Thanks for explaining that,and I agree with you 100%!!!
Believe me, white people are not the creators or owners of the racism tag, some of the most racist people I know are not white.
I hate all racist whatever color or culture, and don’t substitute the word “racist” for “white”..that’s not fair, and it’s too simple minded.
That’s ridiculous….and that is not the thinking around here!
I was not surprised to find that a black man was behind this, because we have this type of low self esteem and self hatred that is running rampant in our community, and it does not benefit our community, or the human community at large.
If there is any money in unrest then that is as bad as perpetuating old outdated racial stereotypes….but it does not negate the FACT that the racist party, no matter what the intent….has become a clutrerf@#K …and there is no money in this racial war.
We all need to just agree to disagree, try to put ourselves in each other’s shoes, and grow up and move along.
Our city is a great place to live and we do not need all of this negativity, and both sides need to step up together and show some humanity and unity….
I have nothing against conflict resolution….
From Texas, a former African American California resident says:
“Um-umm-ummmm!!!”