Newsday Miss Jones

Pols, activists rap Hot 97's Jones --------------------
BY RAFER GUZMANSTAFF WRITER
February 16, 2006

Hot 97 radio host Miss Jones is under attack again - and this time, it's personal.A coalition of New York City Council members and community activists gathered on Manhattan's City Hall steps yesterday , calling for the firing of Tarsha Nicole Jones, known on-air as Miss Jones, and Hot 97 program director John Dimick . A crowd of about 30 people listened to speakers lambaste the radio personality."I've met Miss Jones," said councilman John Liu (D-Flushing). "Miss Jones actually has no personality whatsoever."The rally was sparked by a recent broadcast on Hot 97 (WQHT/97.1 FM) . A crowd of about 30 people listened to speakers lambaste the radio personality."I've met Miss Jones," said councilman John Liu (D-Flushing). "Miss Jones actually has no personality whatsoever."The rally was sparked by a recent broadcast on Hot 97 (WQHT/97.1 FM) in which Jones called Transit Workers Union President Roger Toussaint a "dumb coconut," an apparent reference to his Caribbean roots."I couldn't believe it ," said Fendi Williams, 14, a Brooklynite at the rally. "My father is of Caribbean descent."The coalition, R.E.A.C. Hip-Hop (Representing Education, Activism and Community Through Hip-Hop ), has been hounding Jones since her broadcast last year of the so-called "Tsunami Song," which mocked victims of the Southeast Asian tsunami. Jones was suspended for two weeks last year for playing the song. Yesterday's speakers ratcheted up their rhetoric, accusing Jones, who is black, of betraying her community and serving as a pawn to the white corporate executives at Emmis Communications, which owns Hot 97.Jones belongs in the same company as "blackface and Amos and Andy," said councilwoman Letitia James (D, WF -Brooklyn). "She is being used. She is nothing more than a tool."Several council members announced they were introducing a resolution to condemn Jones' remarks and promised their own investigation into the recent payola scandal that has rocked the radio and record industries.Calls to Hot 97 and Emmis were not returned. Copyright (c) 2006, Newsday, Inc.