The Bloodhound Gang, the band that gained immense popularity from the song about mammals and the discovery channel has created quite a bit of controversy with students at De Anza.
The controversy with the band is about a song titled “Yellow Fever.” Lyrics such as, “She’s like an oriental rug cause I lay her where I please, then I blindfold her with dental floss and get down on her knees, I’m like a diving Kamikaze eating out Chinese,” has personally offended students who believe the song further perpetuates Asian stereotypes in a racist and sexist manner.
“Yellow Fever” which was on a previous version of the album One Fierce Beer Coaster, was taken off when Geffen Records decided to re-release it. In an interview from Yahoo! Music, Jimmy Pop, the lead singer for the Bloodhound Gang said, “Geffen pulled the track because the label also thought it crossed the line.”
In response to the criticism over the song, Pop stated “We don’t care.” Pop said, “No. When someone gets hurt at one of our shows I get depressed. But, no, I’ve never regretted anything I’ve said or done.”
De Anza students, fed up with stereotypes that are being perpetuated in this music, decided to follow the lead of University of Maryland students. The students in Maryland protested the Bloodhound Gang’s performance at the Art Attack Festival.
The protesters met confrontation. Many fans shouted profanities, and refused to accept the fliers. Even with the opposition De Anza student Chad Zichterman still felt the need to show support. “I have to back up my brothers and sisters. I have to stick up for people when they’re being dehumanized, and that is what this is all about,” said Zichterman.
The protest did catch the eye of the media. Covering the protest included Asian Week, San Francisco Liberation Radio 93.7, and the Nichi Bei Times.
Daniel Carter, the bassist, for the opening act “A” said “People are going to be offended, but you have to take into consideration, this one particular song they actually chose to take off their record three years ago.” When asked why the song is still on their website, Carter responded with, “Umm…I’m not sure. I haven’t spoken to them about it.”
The protest was successful in many ways. Passers-by once informed of the group’s lyrics, decided to help the cause by holding up signs. Also, one fan decided not to go after reading the flier that listed the lyrics to “Yellow Fever.”
“Knowledge that they are racist has stopped me from going to the concert. I don’t want to support racism in any way, shape, or form. I don’t want to give them my money, my time, or my attention. I’m not going to be a fan of that,” said Phil Ramirez.
The protesters also gained support from drivers passing by honking their horns, and raising their fists in the air.
Rich Nguyen, an organizer of the protest, felt that it was truly successful. “Because of people’s efforts and passion, we totally made an impact.”
