Res. No. 49
Resolution repudiating remarks made by Hot 97/WQHT-FM deejay Tarsha Nicole Jones.
By Council Members Foster, James, Koppell, Mark-Viverito, Mendez, Nelson, Palma, Sanders Jr., Stewart, Weprin and Liu
Whereas, On the morning of Wednesday, December 20th 2005, Tarsha Nicole Jones, using the pseudonym “Miss Jones,” made disparaging remarks about Transit Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint during the “Miss Jones in The Morning” radio program on Hot 97/WQHT-FM; and
Whereas, Tarsha Jones reportedly referred to Roger Toussaint as “a dumb coconut who probably doesn’t have a green card,” and performed an insulting skit depicting Mr. Toussaint being arrested and deported; and
Whereas, Roger Toussaint immigrated to the United States from Trinidad in 1974 and is one of an estimated 600,000 Caribbean-Americans living in New York who make up a vibrant community that has contributed much to the City’s cultural and economic life; and
Whereas, Tarsha Jones demonstrated a similar insensitivity in January of 2005, when her morning show aired an outrageous parody of the South Asian tsunami disaster, entitled “The Tsunami Song,” which included racial epithets; and
Whereas, After protest from Asian-American community leaders who called for her dismissal, Hot 97/WQHT-FM suspended Tarsha Jones and fired her producer; and
Whereas, Tarsha Jones’ “Tsunami song” and her insensitive comments about Roger Toussaint demonstrate a clear pattern of irresponsibility; and
Whereas, Tarsha Jones’ recent behavior indicates her continued inability to use the public airwaves in a responsible manner; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York repudiates remarks made by Hot 97/WQHT-FM deejay Tarsha Nicole Jones.
JN
LS#41
2/9/06