February 18, 2010

Contact: Terry Schanz @ (916) 319-2052

Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III Stands with Fellow Legislators Condemning Racist and Sexist 'Compton Cookout' Event

SACRAMENTO – Assistant Speaker pro Tempore Isadore Hall, III (D-Compton) today was joined by Speaker Karen Bass (D – Los Angeles); Speaker-elect John A. Pérez (D- Los Angeles); members of the legislative Asian Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, LGBT and Women’s caucuses; prominent civil rights organizations and representatives from the University of California at the State Capitol in publicly condemning a racially offensive student event hosted by students of UC San Diego and demanding full accountability for their actions.

The event called the, ‘Compton Cookout’ was organized by members of various Greek fraternal organizations including Pi Kappa Alpha and encouraged participants to mock Black History Month by promoting negative and offensive racial and gender stereotypes.

“These acts of racism and sexism will not be tolerated in California or anywhere in the United States,” said Assemblymember Hall. “I stand united with fellow legislative leaders in publicly condemning those responsible for this act of hate and demanding full accountability for their actions.”

Continued Hall, “Today, I call upon UC San Diego Chancellor Mary Anne Fox, UC President Mark Yudof and the UC Board of Regents to launch an immediate and thorough investigation of the ‘Compton Cookout’ event to determine the names of those responsible for planning and participating in this act of racism and sexism, what university affiliated organizations participated in the event and what if any public funds or resources were used to plan or carry out the event. At the conclusion of the investigation, university officials should act swiftly to sanction all responsible parties including the revocation of fraternity or sorority charters, the full repayment of any public funds used to support these organizations and the individual suspension or expulsion of any student found responsible for planning or participating in this act of hate.”

“I don’t want these organizations to merely apologize for their actions. I want names and I want these individuals and organizations to understand that this type of racist and sexist behavior will not be tolerated in California. State taxpayers will not stand for their money to be spent supporting any organization that fosters racism, hate and intolerance. The legislature will closely monitor the university’s investigation and, if necessary, will act within its budgetary and oversight capacity to ensure that public funds do not finance racism or sexism in our state,” concluded Hall.

The full text of the ‘Compton Cookout’ invitation is attached for reference.

Website of Assemblymember Hall: www.asm.ca.gov/hall

Here are links to audio of Assemblymember Hall, Speaker Bass and Speaker-elect Pérez:
Assemblymember Hall says those responsible for the event must be held accountable. (:32)
Assemblymember Hall says the event invitation was full of racial and sexist references. (:15)
Assemblymember Hall says acts of racism and sexism must not be tolerated. (:20)
Assemblymember Hall’s complete opening remarks at today’s news conference. (6:27)
Speaker Bass’ remarks at the news conference. (1:19)
Speaker-elect Pérez’s remarks at the news conference. (2:12)