GREENVILLE, S.C.-- Clemson was the talk of the nation and the talk of 107.3 JAMZ, as listeners weighed in on the controversial pictures taken at an off-campus party that took place on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

In the photos students threw a "gangster" themed party to celebrate MLK Day. Some partygoers showed up painted black, while others had 40 ounce malt beverages taped to their hands- a stereotype and mockery that's caused outrage.

One caller says she would never send her daughter to Clemson University, and feels the pictures represent the "attitude" of the whole university.

While many callers agree the pictures are offensive others say it sheds light on the problem of perception.

Rannice McDonald is a Clemson Junior who wants to change negative perceptions. She was in the radio station getting the word out about a planned sit-in in response to the controversial pictures.

"We are going to stand together and say this will not be tolerated," said McDonald.

The sit in is planned for Lincoln's Birthday on the lawn of the university's president from 8 AM until 8 PM.

Meanwhile, radio hosts say the pictures have made some callers re-evaluate the type of perception they carry.

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Clemson controversy takes to the radio News Video from Fox Carolina
Would you like to give your comment or opinion on this issue? Contact our studios at 864.235.1073 or simply Email us your opinion on this story.

In the photos students threw a "gangster" themed party to celebrate MLK Day. Some partygoers showed up painted black, while others had 40 ounce malt beverages taped to their hands- a stereotype and mockery that's caused outrage. Warning these photos may be offensive. View photos here


Hear Apology Audio
White Guy Apologizes

Give us your thoughts...The Clemson MLK Party was
	Funny
	OK - I had no problem with it.
	Poor Taste
	Racist

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Public forum focuses on Clemson controversy
"Clemson's commitment to diversity is stronger than ever and this is an opportunity to make that point and as a 'teachable moment' as president Barker has said," Catherine Sams, Clemson PR.

Reaction from Clemson University on the heels of this, a party where students went too far and dressed in "black face". Now the community is speaking out and asking for someone to be held accountable.

"You have to get input from the community but you have to take it a step further. There has to be action and it has to be someone accountable from the university or community to follow through,"says Quentian James , Furman University NAACP. Though Clemson has not held anyone accountable the university hopes input from public forums will help bring them one step closer.

"We don't pretend we've done all we can do or all we need to do and we certainly don't have all the answers one of the reasons we came here tonight was to listen and see what ideas people have,"says Sams.

Some of those ideas consist of more dialogue and more education in diversity.

Meanwhile some people say these pictures draw attention to the racial undertones among students at an institution of higher education.

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Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 10:39 AM
Subject: FW: This is APPALLING!

OK. This is highly disgraceful...and it's 2007....

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL RACES, ESPECIALLY CLEMSON STUDENTS!!!!! PLEASE

I am appalled, hurt, and disappointed at a group of Clemson University students calling themselves Delta Iota Kappa (DIK). On Monday, January 15th, the morning of MLK Jr. Day (and MLK's actual birthday), this 'organization' had the audacity to throw a party for MLK day. This was not a party celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but a party poking fun at African Americans.
On the events page of this party, which is still currently on the Facebook, this event's tagline is inappropriately named "Living the Dream." The event creators also called for everyone to bring their own malt liquor, and Black and Milds.

While surfing the internet, I also found pictures from this party (SCROLL DOWN THIS NOTE TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF). Everyone was holding malt liquor, wearing 'typical black attire' (fitted caps and jerseys), and smoking Black and Milds. Some even went a step further, with fake "grills", fake afros, and fake butts imitating Blacks. The most appalling however was the picture of a white man with black paint on his body and a black curly wig. This is Blackface!!!!!!!!! This is BullS###!!!!!!!

This might be okay to some, but to me this is disrespectful to all of those who died for equality. Martin Luther King died....He was murdered for this!

You do not under noooooo circumstances have the right to be-little this holiday as an excuse for you to get drunk and dress like 'niggers'!!!!!!
Yes, I am pissed off, but I do not hate them. This just shows what some of the Caucasians at Clemson think of us African Americans.

It would not have been 'fun' if we blacks had a redneck party or better yet, it would not have been cool if we would have had a holocaust party?

So, this is not cool at all. If we don't stand up now, then they will continue to celebrate MLK this way and before you know it, somebody will bring a skeleton on a noose at the party (John Hopkins University.) This happened at their gansta Halloween party).

And to all of you I say this, THE STRUGGLE IS NOT OVER!!!! RACISM IS REAL AND IT IS AT HOME!!!!!!!

The only way to overcome racism and prejudice is to stand up for your dignity and demand your respect. I will leave you with my favorite quote from Eleanor Roosevelt "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent".

Believe in yourself, all of you. To my black people, there is nothing wrong with you if you dress 'urban' and you have gold in your mouth. This is you. Never be ashamed.

"For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the Devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to the fear of dying." Hebrews 2:14-15

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Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 11:00 AM
Subject: Fwd: Statement Read On NYC Radio Station Regarding Black People
Tell me what you guys think of this article. It hurt but I agreed with most of it. Whether this is something cropped up to get us going or it was really an article, I have to say it is somewhat true...... rodb

I received this from a friend and I thought its was very profound so I'm passing it on.

Hey everybody please read this and prove them wrong

Note: forwarded message attached. READ AND AS MOTHERS, FATHERS, AUNTS, UNCLES, BROTHERS AND SISTERS.....PLEASE PASS ON ESPECIALLY TO "OUR" YOUTH ........ The sad thing about this article is that the essence of it is true. The truth hurts. I just hope this sets more Black people in motion towards making real progress. Chris Rock, a Black comedian, even joked that Blacks don't read. Help prove them wrong! Read and pass on.

Please Note: For those of you who heard it, this is the article Dee Lee was reading this morning on a New York radio station. For those of you who didn't hear it, this is very deep. This is a heavy piece and a Caucasian wrote it.


THEY ARE STILL OUR SLAVES. We can continue to reap profits from the Blacks without the effort of physical slavery. Look at the current methods of containment that they use on themselves: IGNORANCE, GREED, and SELFISHNESS. Their IGNORANCE is the primary weapon of containment. A great man once said, "The best way to hide something from Black people is to put it in a book." We now live in the Information Age. They have gained the opportunity to read any book on any subject through the efforts of their fight for freedom, yet they refuse to read. There are numerous books readily available at Borders, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.com, not to mention their own Black Bookstores that provide solid blueprints to reach economic equality (which should have been their fight all along), but few read consistently, if at all.

GREED is another powerful weapon of containment. Blacks, since the abolition of slavery, have had large amounts of money at their disposal. Last year they spent 10 billion dollars during Christmas, out of their 450 billion dollars in total yearly income (2.22%).

Any of us can use them as our target market, for any business venture we care to dream up, no matter how outlandish, they will buy into it. Being primarily a consumer people, they function totally by greed. They continually want more, with little thought for saving or investing.

They would rather buy some new sneaker than invest in starting a business. Some even neglect their children to have the latest Tommy or FUBU, And they still think that having a Mercedes, and a big house gives them "Status" or that they have achieved their Dream.

They are fools! The vast majority of their people are still in poverty because their greed holds them back from collectively making better communities. With the help of BET, and the rest of their black media that often broadcasts destructive images into their own homes, we will continue to see huge profits like those of Tommy and Nike. (Tommy Hilfiger has even jeered them, saying he doesn't want their money, and look at how the fools spend more with him than ever before!). They'll continue to show off to each other while we build solid communities with the profits from our businesses that we market to them.

SELFISHNESS, ingrained in their minds through slavery, is one of the major ways we can continue to contain them. One of their own, Dubois said that there was an innate division in their culture.

A "Talented Tenth" he called it. He was correct in his deduction that there are segments of their culture that has achieved some "form" of success. However, that segment missed the fullness of his work. They didn't read that the "Talented Tenth" was then responsible to aid The Non-Talented Ninety Percent in achieving a better life. Instead, that segment has created another class, a Buppie class that looks down on their people or aids them in a condescending manner.

They will never achieve what we have. Their selfishness does not allow them to be able to work together on any project or endeavor of substance. When they do get together, their selfishness lets their egos get in the way of their goal. Their so-called help organizations seem to only want to promote their name without making any real change in their community.

They are content to sit in conferences and conventions in our hotels, and talk about what they will do, while they award plaques to the best speakers, not to the best doers. Is there no end to their selfishness? They steadfastly refuse to see that TOGETHER EACH ACHIEVES MORE (TEAM). They do not understand that they are no better than each other because of what they own, as a matter of fact, most of those Buppies are but one or two pay checks away from poverty. All of which is under the control of our pens in our offices and our rooms.

Yes, we will continue to contain them as long as they refuse to re ad, continue to buy anything they want, and keep thinking they are "helping" their communities by paying dues to organizations which do little other than hold lavish conventions in our hotels. By the way, don't worry about any of them reading this letter, remember, 'THEY DON'T READ!!!!

(Prove them wrong. Please pass this on! After Reading it..)

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Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2007 5:47 PM
Subject: More on Clemson (please read):

I love the way you got people's opinion out on this Clemson issue and gave us a voice. Here is my take on it.

The local news did a great job of letting us know about Clemson but what most people in our area do not know is that the same thing happened at two other Universities. These others are Texas and Connecticut (see links below). It's ironic that it happened at a time set aside to pay tribute to MLK because if these students are our future leaders then they leave a lot to be desired and the future looks pretty grim. Their conduct highlights the fact that even so long after Martin we seem to have made very little strides toward bridging the gaps of racism. Even though these kids were not around when it was written their actions would justify us using the famous speech "I have a dream".

There are those who would ask us to forgive and forget. That is because these are their children and not ours. They raised them, they taught them and they instilled those qualities in them. Our parents yesterday stood up for us to ride the bus; our parents yesterday stood up for us to eat at their counters; our parents yesterday stood up for us to go to school. Today we as parents must stand up for the rights for our kids to go to school and not be made a mockery of, to be respected and to be treated equally.

Martin was taken from us but he still burns brightly inside each of us so whilst we may forgive, we can never forget.

Other University Links:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0125071mlk1.html

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0125072uconn1.html

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-----Original Message----- Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 3:40 PM
Subject: Clemson

I heard a hint of scarcism in his voice as well. But in the same sense, we as black need to look at how we are seen by other races when we carry ourselves accordingly. Not all blacks act in that manner but as a black person myself I am embarrassed at some of the acts that my color portray in society.

Grills are not for everyone and the worse is seeing a young man underwear in public. As a parent, I do not allow my son to dress in that manner I also pop up at school unannounced to be sure of the dress code that I enforce.

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Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 3:45 PM
Subject: The Clemson apology

I was listening to the radio and heard young man from Clemson about the Mock Black Party on MLK Day. His apology seemed more like a forced apology. It was like those apologies that your mother made you do but you did not want to. I laughed when he said that he wouldn't be offended if a black person painted themselves white. The thing is that people are always okay with reciprocation of their own actions because in a way it justifies what they have already done...in a way it almost makes it okay. Another thing is that it is hard to see others feelings in a issue that we have never been placed in.He has never experience the hardships and struggles of black people therefore he could never fully understand how deep the incident cut into the souls of black people.

I agree that that there are an array of behaviors among white people as well but the reality is that we have always been the underdogs and we will continue to be. All of our flaws are magnified under the social microscope of the majority therefore we have to be 100 times better than they are. I am sorry I could go on and on about this! Thank you for allowing me to express my views on this issue! Have a wonderful day.

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Sent: Tuesday, February 06, 2007 3:33 PM
Subject: APOLOGY

Was that an apology, it sounded like a joke to me. It really sounded to me as if he was laughing while talking about the incident. They were wrong, if it was not meant as a slap in the face of MLK why didn't any black students know about the party.

Too often we let incidents like this slide and get swept under the carpet, this time we need to let them and the school know this is not okay. Thanks

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Sent: Monday, January 29, 2007 5:28 PM
With regard to the party at Clemson, I think you need to remember where you live. We live in a country where we have many freedoms. Even though we may not agree with everyone all the time, we still love having access to our freedom of expression. Even though I don't agree with what is said to have happened, I still have to live with it. You need to remember that. When you say "those students who participated in that party should be permanently suspended" you are engaging in exactly the kind of thought that men and women have fought and died to defend. That is, our right to be individuals. You are also proposing to impose punishment that could ruin those students lives. Is that really what you want to do? Does the Bible say something about an eye for an eye or does it say something about turning the other cheek? Does that strike at the very root of what Dr. King preached? I think it does.

You need to search your heart a little more before you use the radio as a weapon. I have no interest in this situation whatsoever, but I heard your comments on the radio and thought you were a little off base. I hope you will consider these thoughts.

Amendment I to the U. S. Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

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Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 10:37 AM
Subject: Clemson Controversy

I just viewed the pictures on the 1073jamz.com website. I have been hearing about these pictures everywhere I have been so I had to look. I don't know what punishment is fair for those students but I feel the whole thing is a slap in the face to minorities here in South Carolina and the entire United States and around the world.

I think they went too far with their party. Come on! Blackfaces and 40oz beer taped to their hands, overly large backsides. Is that what they think of us? So why are they trying to be like us? As a Black man in the Spartanburg area, I see many white kids trying to be us. In the summer, white kids are laying, baking in the sun to get darker. They are getting their lips injected to be fuller and embracing the backsides that they used to poke fun at. The pictures made me very upset and confused. Confused about why they (Clemson University) think that this behavior is fine. What if a bunch of black students threw a party and everybody painted their faces white and showed up dressed in a "Saltines" box? Would that be considered the same?

Sincerely

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Sent: Thursday, February 01, 2007 12:08 AM
Subject: Response-Clemson Controversy
The message on your webpage failed to mention the members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity that attended the party. The original message is attached.

On Tuesday night at the Anderson County Library their was a meeting held by one of the local African American fraternities concerning the incident that involved several white students from Clemson University. To all involved, I would hope that you realize by all the national attention that this issue is receiving, the issue is beyond just a simple apology to black students. The incident by no means did anything to enhance the image of Clemson University, especially in African American community.

The images of the students with grills etc. is no big deal because wiggers do that anyway. The problem that the members of the community have is the fact that at least two of the white students were bold enough to paint themselves in Black Face. Once that was done the issue became larger than students and a Clemson University issue. The actions of those in attendance in Black face disrepected and dehumanized an entire race of African American people, which also includes the limited number of African American faculty and staff employed on the campus.

One of the action plans discussed at the community meeting was an apology from the President and those students involved, it was recommended that an apology should be given to the entire African American community. Can we go forward without the apology? Yes, but what does that say about the sincerenesss of the the apology from those involved to the African American students.

Many across this national already view South Carolina as a state that is not tolerant towards inclusion why should we as an African American community be suprised if an apology is not forth coming. Those who truly believe in inclusion must continue to put their best foot forward.

It would be wrong to solely put the blame on the white students involved, the African American students who were present and participated in the party should also be held accountable for not reporting the actions of ignorance that was taking place, especially when it involved individuals disrespecting a race of people. Many in the community have asked why did these members of Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. fratenity not report the incident.

RACISM on MLK DAY at Clemson Share
Saturday, Jan 27
Racism at Home (Clemson University)

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL RACES, ESPECIALLY CLEMSON STUDENTS!!!!! PLEASE READ THIS

I am appalled, hurt, and disappointed at a group of Clemson University students calling themselves Delta Iota Kappa (DIK). On Monday, January 15, the morning of MLK Jr. Day(and MLK's actual birthday), this 'organization' had the audacity to throw a party for MLK day. This was not a party celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but a party poking fun at African Americans. On the events page of this party, which is still currently on the Facebook, this event's tagline is inappropriately named "Living the Dream." The event creators also called for everyone to bring their own malt liquor, and Black and Milds.

While surfing the internet, I also found pictures from this party (SCROLL DOWN THIS NOTE TO SEE IT FOR YOURSELF). Everyone was holding malt liquor, wearing 'typical black attire' (fitted caps and jerseys), and smoking Black and Milds. Some even went a step further, with fake "grills", fake afros, and fake butts imitating Blacks. The most appalling however was the picture of a white man with black paint on his body and a black curly wig. This is Blackface!!!!!!!!! This is BullS###!!!!!!!

This might be okay to some, but to me this is disrespectful to all of those who died for equality. Martin Luther King died....He was murdered for this! You do not under noooooo circumstances have the right to belittle this holiday as an excuse for you to get drunk and dress like 'niggers'!!!!!! Yes, I am pissed off, but I do not hate them. This just shows what some of the Caucasians at Clemson think of us African Americans.

It would not have been 'fun' if we blacks had a redneck party or better yet, it would not have been cool if we would have had a holocaust party. So, this is not cool at all. If we don't stand up now, then they will continue to celebrate MLK this way and before you know it, somebody will bring a skeleton on a noose at the party (John Hopkins Uni. this happened at their gansta Halloween party).

The sad thing, however, is not that they threw this party, but that black people attended. There were some members of the Clemson Chapter of ALPHA PHI ALPHA at this party. To those Alpha I ask this, what in the hell were you thinking!!!!!! Martin Luther King Jr. was an Alpha! Going to that party not only disrespected the MLK's legacy, but also the legacy of your fraternity. Then y'all had the nerve to sponsor the MLK trip. One of you who went to the party, was also at the MLK trip which I also attended. On the trip you talked sooooo much stuff about working to overcome and blah, blah, blah. You also talked about trying to educate others on the struggle, when you need to look in the mirror! You few alphas that attended that party are a disgrace and you should feel ashamed. You are the epitome of the mis-educated, self-loathing Black man!

And to all of you I say this, THE STRUGGLE IS NOT OVER!!!! RACISM IS REAL AND IT IS AT HOME!!!!!!!

The only way to overcome racism and prejudice is to stand up for your dignity and demand your respect. I will leave you with my favorite quote from Eleanor Roosevelt "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Believe in yourself, all of you. To my black people, there is nothing wrong with you if you dress 'urban' and you have gold in your mouth. This is you. Never be ashamed.

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