Hmong Community Protests At KDWB Studios Bring More Assurances From Station

Apologetic!

According to KARE-TV/MINNEAPOLIS, last FRIDAY (4/15) saw another day of anger by members of the local HMONG community in the TWIN CITIES when around 120 protesters showed up at CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40 KDWB/MINNEAPOLIS to air their frustrations over the airing of a parody song played on the DAVE RYAN MORNING SHOW on MARCH 22nd.

The song was called "30 Hmongs In A House" and it was a spoof on the 1991 ballad by ERIC CLAPTON, titled "Tears In Heaven."

The song played on RYAN's show pointed to generalizations of the HMONG community that joked about HMONG girls getting pregnant early in life, and that HMONG families living in crowded homes together. This stereotyping angered many.

KARE-TV reported that several protesters got into KDWB's offices demanding a meeting, but that meeting didn't take place owing to the angry nature of those present who were organized by TAKE ACTION MINNESOTA.

KDWB has repeatedly apologized for the airing of the song, and has felt some financial pain as a couple of advertisers have pulled out in protest of the song being played, and in support of the roughly 70,000 members of the HMONG community. Word is that those advertisers plan to return once things between KDWB and the HMONG community are settled.

On-Air And Written Apologies

And FRIDAY, KDWB Pres./Market Mgr. MIKE CRUSHAM, DAVE RYAN and Exec. Producer STEVE-O took to the airwaves again with another apology and posted it on KDWB's site.

A written statement of apology was also issued on FRIDAY, reading, "We fully support the rights under the FIRST AMENDMENT of individuals to gather together together and express their thoughts and opinions. We share a commitment to racial justice.

"The MARCH 22nd song segment in no way reflects the values and viewpoints of our station or individual KDWB personnel. We recognize that it was inappropriate and have unequivocally apologized.

"We are reaching out and engaging directly with members of the HMONG community, as well as with other community leaders, to make things right. We believe working collectively in the spirit of civility, compassion and cooperation is the best way to move forward."

RYAN's and STEVE-O's FACEBOOK PAGES are filled with comments both pro and con on the song, from members of the HMONG community, and those in the general community, based on THE DAVE RYAN SHOW's long history of being known for taking shots at everyone.

« see more Net News