According to reports, a coalition of Haitian community leaders are calling for the firing of popular morning show jock Cipha Sounds, after he made an on air joke about Haitian women and HIV.
Cipha Sounds, who co-hosts the “The Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Show” with Peter Rosenberg, cracked the joke on Friday (December 18th) when he stated he was HIV negative because he “don’t mess with Haitian girls.”
Cipha, born Luis Diaz, has already apologized to any fans he offended with the off-color joke, but a coalition of Haitian community members want Hot 97 to fire the well known DJ.
Yesterday a group of Haitians will demonstrate outside of Hot 97 to call for Cipha Sounds’ dismissal.
Although the DJ apologized soon after Hot 97 announced today that he will be taking a hiatus from radio airwaves to partake in sensitivity training and a new HIV awareness initiative.
A statement from the station reads,
”Emmis Communications’ HOT 97 today announced a three-part plan to address a recent comment made on-air by DJ Cipha Sounds.
First, the station announced that DJ Cipha Sounds has been suspended indefinitely.
Second, Cipha will immediately undertake sensitivity training focused on the Haitian community and specifically, the challenges the Haitian community has faced in terms of the HIV epidemic.
Finally, HOT 97 announced it will work with local community leaders to utilize the influence of HOT 97 to increase awareness of HIV and community programs to address the HIV epidemic.”
Speaking on Cipha’s suspension, Alex Cameron the SVP/Market Manager of Emmis-New York, also released a statement saying,
“Cipha made an immediate public apology and recognizes his insensitivity and the negative impact his comments have on all Haitians.
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 fundraising efforts for Haiti.
He is committed to working with the Haitian community to make a difference and turn this negative incident into an opportunity for increased learning and awareness.”
Do you think Hot 97 should fire Cipha Sound for the comments?
Comments below
