"The Jersey Guys" Racist Comments on the Edison Mayoral Race NJ 101.5 FM

Updated April 27th, 2005

For those of you who aren't from New Jersey, WKXW New Jersey 101.5FM is a popular radio station known for talk shows and popular music. One particular talk show called "The Jersey Guys" broadcasts weekdays from 2:00 - 7:00pm. The show is hosted by Craig Carton and Ray Rossi, who are supposed to depict "the average blue collar white person" living in New Jersey. A description of the show says it is "Gen-X meets the Baby Boomer. A couple of 'good fellas' in a Jersey state of mind. The best thing Jersey has to offer....next to the tomato. Hey, fogettaboutit! Listen and you might learn a few things." The only thing we may have learned however, is that they haven't learned a thing from the Hot 97 incident about racial sensitivity in the media. The truth comes out in a partial transcript of a recent show, below.

Click on the files below to hear the actual audio files.
The Jersey Guys audio file 04-25-05 (wma format)
The Jersey Guys audio file 04-25-05 (mp3 format)

Below is the partial transcript of "The Jersey Guys" on the Edison Mayoral race on NJ 101.5 FM on Monday, April 25th, 2005. Craig Carton and Ray Rossi host the show 2:00 - 7:00pm weekdays.

[Continued]

Craig Carton: “Would you really vote for someone named Jun Choi [Said in fast-paced, high-pitched, squeaky voice]??

[Continued]

Craig Carton: I’m using Jun Choi [Said in fast-paced, high-pitched, squeaky voice] as an example of a larger problem.
Ray Rossi: and you know...
Carton: We’re forgetting the fact that we’re Americans.
Rossi: You know that he’s going to get the... whatever that vote is
Carton: And here’s the bottom line... no specific minority group or foreign group should ever ever dictate the outcome of an American election. I don’t care if the Chinese population in Edison has quadrupled in the last year, Chinese should never dictate the outcome of an election, Americans should.
Rossi: Americans should, exactly
Carton: And it’s offensive to me... not that I have anything against uh Asians...I really don’t... i don’t like the fact that they crowd the goddamn black jack tables in Atlantic City with their little chain smoking and little pocket protectors..
Rossi: Now now now..that’s an issue with me..
Carton: I’m just saying, now that’s all Asians, not just Koreans...you know... you got Pai-Gaw poker playing.
Carton: My point is on a much larger stand..
Rossi: I understand... but you see you had to put that out there...
Carton: We’re bending over backwards to cater to fringe groups of people and I don’t like it!
Rossi: As long as we understand where you’re coming from... with the, uh poker table group...
Carton: Well go to AC for one week and try and get a table... ‘ching chong, ching chong, ching chong [Mimics Chinese accent..] hehe you hit it on 17 you stupid bitch... the dealer’s got a 5..im holding an 18...what’re you hitting for... you know? They do it all day and night...they got their little beady pocketbooks with the little beads on it... they take out wads of 100s... ching chong ching chong [Accent] they don’t know how to play the game... eh, honey i got a 13 and I’m playing against a 6...
Rossi: Hehe, their money is green too! [Laughter]
Carton: There should be like Asian-only rooms in casinos... but just to be fair, I have nothing against them...
Rossi: No, of course not [Laughter]
Carton: Very good people... very nice people...

[Commercial Break]

Carton: Asian Americans factoring in the Edison race, Korean native and mayor both court the growing segment... uh I’ve said it about the Arabs about 4 months ago, I’ve said it about uh... you name a group that’s suddenly important in politics, other than Americans as a whole and I got a problem with it... I’m not nitpicking any one specific group... I don’t like... like when Corzine came out and said...I’m counting on the Arab community to get me elected... right then and there you lost my vote!
Rossi: Well, but... you see what it is...
Carton: He was over at the Nordic lodge of Rhode Island... cuz I go to this place where its like 60 bucks for all you can eat... and I thought he was lying to me

[Unrelated Topic]

Caller: Good, hi are you guys?
Carton: Doing good, babe.
Caller: It’s government for the people of the people and by the people and as long as you guys became American citizens and now have the right to vote, why not have them vote for someone who they feel comfortable with and will take care of their issues...
Carton: Well... I’m glad you called with that... God-forsaken disgusting liberal viewpoint, uh mickey...
Caller: I’m not a liberal at all... it’s by the constitution of New Jersey...
Carton: Well, you are a liberal by definition... by definition you are a liberal....if they’re here legally and they’re Americans, I think they ought to vote for... [Mocking falsetto voice] no no no...that’s liberal by definition... so let me explain to you what the problem is with it mickey so you can be a little bit brighter at the dinner table tonight, ok?
Caller: Ok
Carton: They are Americans, they have every right to vote. I will never deny them that, you know my grandparents came over here, they wound up with the right to vote and they’re very proud of it... same with Ray’s and most of our listeners?.. they also have the right to run once they become Americans, and I don’t begrudge them that either, my problem is this: when we start focusing our campaigns on the minority of people and not the majority of people, I find that to be problematic... anybody running for office, whether it’s the Mayor of Edison or the Governor of New jersey, the focus should be what’s good for the breadth of people, what’s good for everybody, and its obnoxious to me, although I understand it’s a business, and its how you can get elected, if you say out loud, well if I can simply get the Asian vote I can win the election..
Rossi: Now that’s what it is...
Carton: And that’s what problematic to me... much as like we give DMV exams in Spanish, and French, and in Swahili, we’re getting away from what our core is and that is America..
Rossi: Which is true...
Carton: And I’m troubled by it... and I don’t wanna hear a candidate, whether they’re Chinese, or white, or black, saying oh if I can only get the Chinese vote I can win... well what about me? I’m... see... I’m the average guy, that’s why we’re successful, Ray and I represent the average guy in NJ, blue collar white people...
Rossi: There you go.
Carton: And no one gives a damn about us anymore...
Rossi: That’s right.
Carton: And if we cry about it... you know what’s brought up? Slavery... or if we cry about it... well you know, ching chong, ching chong [Mimics Chinese accent] you bombed us [Chinese accent] you know? The fact is, I don’t care if whites are a minority, it doesn’t matter to me, there’s no voice of the average blue collar white guy anymore, cuz all these politicians are worried about the fringe groups.
Rossi: Well that’s the thing...
Carton: God forbid you offend an Asian, really! And I hate it... God forbid that a politician was out here and offends Asians, or blacks, or old people... but at the end of the day, I’m the guy that’s gonna get them elected...
Rossi: There you go.
Carton: And they don’t give a damn about me!
Rossi: Nope.
Carton: Well the second Thursday in May they will... cuz Ray and I are hosting the only in-state debate amongst at least the Republican candidates...
Rossi: That’s right
Carton: Almost all of them confirmed, is that right , C-dog? C-Dog: That’s right.
Carton: It’ll be myself, Ray Rossi and Bob Ingle of the Gannet newspaper chain and every guy running for uh... governor on the Republican side will be here in studio because you know... we care! And were not gonna let these guys cater to minority groups simply cuz it makes them look good.
Rossi: Exactly
Carton: You have to cater to me, bitches.
Rossi: Hmmm, that’s it.
Carton: I’m the rain maker.
Rossi: Look at that, the rainmaker
Carton: Well, that’s a little cocky though
Rossi: Well, no, that’s a tad on the cocky tip but that’s alright, that’s okay.
Carton: It’s May 12th by the way, 4pm... If you’re running for governor, you’re invited but you have to go through C-dog cuz I don’t know want weedman showing up... ‘No, you guys said I was invited, I’m running... Typical keeping it brother... No he’ll wanna ask some of the questions... [Mimics voice]
Rossi: Right [Laughter]
Carton: All right... here’s Sharon in Edison NJ on 101.5. How you doin?Sharon?
Caller: Hi, I love you
Carton: Thank you.
Caller: You just said it all, the last couple of ... callers, I guess they don’t know that they live in America and we’re being overrun. I had just moved out of Edison because of what has happened in the past 10 years... Orientals are all along, the whole complete route 27. And Indians have taken over Edison in north and all over.
Carton: Damn Orientals and Indians.
Caller: I..i moved out..36 years I’ve lived in Edison
Carton: And what was the biggest problem you had with the Orientals and the Indians ?
Caller: I can’t handle them! There’s no American people anymore.
Carton: Eh..
Caller: There shoving us the hell out!
Carton: It’s like you’re a foreigner in your own country isn’t it?
Caller: You go to own store and you can’t even see American people, you don’t see our own kids, American kids, working in stores anymore...
Carton: Like the next time you see an American, you think you’ll probably hug him or high five him or something?
Caller: Oh, that’s why where I moved too, that’s all I have, thank God for now anyways.
Carton: Yeah I’m with you... Sharon, we’re just the voice of the people, and I appreciate your call.
Caller: Keep up the good work.
Carton: All right, you got it baby... I think the quote was damn ‘Orientals and Indians.? [Child rendition of American anthem on and fades into background]
Carton: That’s right baby, who wrote this, a white guy did!
Carton: By the way, did you see the girl singing the national anthem in the Canadian/US hockey game over the weekend?

[Unrelated Topic]

Carton: Listen I love my country, I’ll never make any excuses for that... and I think the majority should be catered to, not the minority
Rossi: Correct That’s how I feel... ["America, The Beautiful?song on and fades into background]

[Commercial Break]

Carton: Alright, in Edison, this is just another example of us losing our own country...the uh... Asian American candidate “Jun Choi?[Said in fast-paced, highpitched, squeaky voice] and uh... he’s capitalizing on the rapid growth of the Asian community in Edison, but so is his uh... I guess so is his competitor...
Rossi: Well, his competitor is doing the same thing.
Carton: Spadoro says ?I’ve got the Asians on lockdown.?
Rossi: Right exactly
Carton: Now if I was an Asian I guess I don’t know I’d vote for the Asian. Well I mean haven’t you done that before?
Rossi: Who knows my needs better than...
Carton: Haven’t you?
Rossi: Yeah, I used to vote for the Italian...
Carton: You know what?
Carton: Yeah, thinking that his corrupt ways would benefit me in the long way run.
Rossi: So did I, when I didn’t know what the hell they stood for I just say (phh) go Italian.
Carton: Look how good that did us. Look at the hole we’re in now. Nice move jack ass thanks.
Rossi: Well what do you want me to tell ya, I tried.
Carton: You da one responsible for Florio

[Continued]

I am urging everyone to focus on three goals when dealing with those racists on Jersey 101.5:

1. All concerned people should demand that Democratic and Republican Party leaders, elected officials strongly condemn Jersey 101.5, "The Jersey Guys" and anyone who believes that non-whites, be they Asian, Latino or Black, cannot be real Americans.
2. We should demand that Democratic and Republican Party leaders, elected officials prove their committment to equality and justice by actively promoting the diversification of government and elected office -- particularly as to Asian-Americans who have always suffered inadequate representation and who still face strong barriers to entry.
3. We should call for a boycott of any business that advertise on Jersey 101.5 during "The Jersey Guys" segment. It should expand beyond that -- New Jersey 101.5 has many different radio personalities and only the guilty should be punished.

- John Bang, Esq

Dear John and Fellow Concerned Readers and Citizens,

Might I suggest that given the circumstances that aside from the standard obligatory apology that was sought and received from NJ101.5 (as appeared in today's Star Ledger) that we take the opportunity to strongly request / lobby / and / or demand the station along with Mr. Carton and Mr. Rossi to extend an invitation to Mr. Choi (contingent on Mr. Choi accepting) to appear on an upcoming "Jersey Guy" show to meet and discuss "Carton and Rossi's" concern about the "Asian Americanization" of Edison, Atlantic City, New Jersey, and America or specifically the segmenting of voters to win elections.

I believe that if this did materialize that Messrs. Carton and Rossi may conclude that Jun Choi and other fellow "Asian Americans" or Americans of "any other ethnic group" are just like every other citizen in the State of New Jersey trying to make a living, spend quality time with our friends and families, and striving to make this a better place to live for all here in the great Garden State.

Let's capitalize on the situation and get Jun Choi more exposure and additional air time on NJ101.5 with Messrs. Carton and Rossi. Now, wouldn't that be better than just an apology or having other politicians condemn NJ101.5 and Messrs. Carton and Rossi?

Take care and keep the faith,
- Moly K. Hung

		Monday, May 9, 2005 The Organization of Chinese Americans - New York OCA-NY Continues Work In Task Force To Address Racist Statements By NJ 101.5 Fm
		Tuesday, May 3, 2005 The Sentinel Many condemn radio remarks about Asians
		Monday, May 2, 2005 The Organization of Chinese Americans - New Jersey OCA-NJ Condemns Anti-Asian, Anti-Immigrant Bias Radio Program
		Saturday, April 30, 2005 The New Jersey Star Ledger Asian Media Watch Denounces Racist Propoganda By NJ 101.5 Fm Radio Hosts Targeting Asian Pacific Americans
		Friday, April 29, 2005 The New Jersey Star Ledger Asian-American leaders want DJs fired for insults
		Thursday, April 28, 2005 The New Jersey Star Ledger Radio station apologizes over ethnic flap
		Wednesday, April 27, 2005 The New Jersey Star Ledger Asian-Americans protest radio hosts' remarks

Contact Info Eric Johnson, Program Director ej1015@nj1015.com New Jersey 101.5 FM Radio PO Box 5698 Trenton, NJ 08638 (609) 771-8181 (609) 530-0478 (609) 406-7956 (Fax) (800) 283-1015 (On-Air) CartonAndRossi@nj1015.com www.nj1015.com Andy Santoro, Group Vice-President and General Manager as1015@nj1015.com Jim Donahoe, Chief Executive Officer Millennium Radio 109 Walters Avenue Trenton, NJ 08638 (800) 678-9599 (609) 771-8181 Federal Communications Commission Enforcement Bureau, Investigations and Hearings Division 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C. 20554 1 (888) CALL - FCC fccinfo@fcc.gov www.fcc.gov/parents/content.html

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