A HOT 97 DJ in New York has been suspended indefinitely over an on-air comment linking Haitian women to HIV.
The comment sparked outrage in New York's Haitian community, prompting activists and local leaders to call for his dismissal.
"The reason I'm HIV negative is because I don't mess with Haitian girls," DJ Cipha Sounds said Friday on the hip-hop station's morning show, which is owned by Emmis Communications.
Sounds, whose real name is Luis Diaz, moved fast to issue an on-air apology the same day as complaints began flooding the station.
"I made a stupid tasteless joke that was a one-liner and taken totally the wrong way and I want to say sincerely that I apologize," he said.
It wasn't enough to save him from being suspended indefinitely. He will also undertake sensitivity training focused on the Haitian community, specifically, "the challenges the Haitian community has faced in terms of the HIV epidemic," Emmis Communications said in a statement Wednesday.
HOT 97 will also work with community leaders to increase awareness of HIV and community programs to address the HIV epidemic, the media group said.
"Cipha made an immediate public apology and recognizes his insensitivity and the negative impact his comments have on all Haitians," said Alex Cameron, SVP/Market Manager of Emmis-New York.
"The Haitian community is an important part of our listenership whom we respect and value. The suspension is an indication of the importance we place on delivering a product that respects our Haitian audience. It's a
very regrettable and unfortunate circumstance for all involved and particularly because we know this is not the nature of this young man who has been an advocate of the Haitian community and a big part of our fund-raising efforts for Haiti."
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Wow, how high is he in that pic?
Gee, I sure hope he wasn't sharing that joint with any Haitians.
It's not about AIDS being funny or not, it isn't. It's about the whining minority getting their way again because the joke was politically insensitive. A sign of the times and why the USA is on it's way out as a global superpower. pussification is a good word for it. No one is able to step up and say "this is ridiculous, it was a joke". If you're offended, listen to a different station spamming the top 40, commercials, and idiotic talk radio, there are many more out there. Don't take away someone else's right to listen to what they want to listen to.
This is just like the idiot who sued mcdonalds over happy meal toys... seriously i don't eat there, but if I want to go there and get a toy with my kid's meal who the F are you to say I shouldn't be able to do that?
He stereotyped and made a generalization regarding a race of people on an issue in which people are dying. I think if he was fired, so be it.
Anyone here defending him... you would not be happy if he said something derogotory about your race, not even to mention that the comment isnt about life and death.
Yes, haitians are an important part of any community; they're the people you point your finger at and tell your kids to study hard, and to thank God for Northern European genes.
if folks would stop layin with dogs, they won't get fleas. If folks would stop screwing like dogs, then AIDS will stop! And oh yeah... It is the blacks thats doin the major roll of spreading the virus, statistics, so maybe the dumb blacks that keep the virus goin should be placed on the hatti island and they jus screw and die there.
Don't a lot of Haitians also believe in voodoo?
Wow ! You are so ignorant. Did you just say voodoo ? You are one of the people who stereotype nationalities for everything. What does your foolish comment have to do with the topic being discussed right now ? Learn how to get educated.
Its terrible HIV isn't working. Glad Americans work so hard so the worthless government can rob every penny they have and bring every loser form countries that are still working on making cups, come here for a free ride and increase the
pollution in this dump that was America. Welcome to food stamp Minormerica.
The statistics show that at the end of 2009, an estimated 240,000 people were living with HIV in the Caribbean. Some 17,000 people were newly infected during 2009, and 12,000 people died from AIDS.
In the Bahamas more than 3% of the adult population is living with HIV. Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa, making the Caribbean the second-most affected region in the world. Half of adults living with the virus are women.
The hatian community has an AIDS endemic because they act and live like animals. You have to make an appointment to get AIDS. I don't feel bad for them. They chose their own fate.
Blacks brought AIDS here – it's a fact. The only thing that blacks have contributed to society was AIDS and violence.
political correctness is the government trying to dictate what we can and cannot say.
Gimme a break people...and "Hot 97" DJ's make on-air jokes all the time. Just because it is aimed at a certain group...today....and probably has a lot of truth to it is no reason to indefinitely suspend the guy. Just how many Haitian customers do you believe you will lose over this? I'm glad I live where I do....and you folks don't!
That is a terminable offense period. To even joke like that on a radio station that reaches thousands of listeners. Irresponsible. Ignorant. Careless. Period. Fire his ass.
@afff: you sound like your a joy to be around
Could it really be that the only reason Luis Diaz hasn't got AIDS is because he requires that his partners put on a condom prior to oral or anal activity? This suggest that even though he has been silenced on the air, that won't be the last time he 'opens his mouth' or finds himself in a 'hard' situation of enormous propensity. I am sure Santa Claus will continue to come down DJ Cipha's chimney aka poop-shoot. End of a most courteous diss-cussion.