Rock Candy: We've lost the Juggalos

Insane Clown Posse.

If you're not in the habit of trolling Rock Candy's comment section, let me point you to Robert Bell's scathing review of Insane Clown Posse's recent concert at the Village. It's inspired much consternation amongst the local followers of Insane Clown Posse, the Juggalo/Juggalette community.

Below are some of the highlights and after the jump is a letter to the editor from Josh Malcome (Juggalo handle, Payaso), who runs arkansasjuggalofamily.com.

*"No matter where you are, if you're a juggalo, or a juggalette, and you see someone rocking an ICP t-shirt, or rocking the hatchetman, you feel instantly connected to them, and there are no harsh feelings, ever. There is a comraderie and a feeling when you're in a room packed full of juggalos, and lettes, that can only be described as pure magic."

*"Dude, makes me wanna get ig'nant up in this mug!!"

*"...to talk on the faygo, that is low. I am sure if Coke or Pepsi was sprayed into the air you would have been all for it! Right? Right! Faygo basically simulates unity and shows that anyone can afford it. While coke and Pepsi is 1.48 a pop Faygo tastes the same and is only 0.78 a bottle. TASTE the same! So stop hating and show us the love."

*"I am a Juggalette And a Nurse.. yes you can be both. Just because we are lo's and lette's does not me we can't do shit and be smart."

*"So we like some twiztid shit, we like the wickid shit, does that make us wrong? Only in the eyes of the ignorant, the unlearned."

*"If you start with carnival of carnage and make your way through the cards, and end up finally with what we all witnessed sunday night in Bang Pow Boom, you will see a much bigger picture than just a handful of freaks in makeup."

To the Editor,
    My name is Josh Malcome. I am a local Juggalo, and an Arkansan. I work for a website here in arkansas that caters to local Juggalos and Juggalo musicians. I am writing to you because of a, so called, Music Review that was written by Robert Bell and published on the 26th of November.
    In the review, as expected, Mr. Bell completely degrades the Insane Clown Posse's music and stage show. That is only to be expected from anyone who is not a fan, or have never heard of the group. What desturbs me, and the rest of the Juggalo Family in Arkansas, is the fact that he then goes on to degrade and insult the Juggalo community as well. We are a large group here in arkansas, and nationwide. We have dealt with our fair share of descrimintation and insults, but from a respected source such as Arkansas Times it was quite a shock. Here in arkansas, there are several HUNDRED Juggalos and Juggalettes. On our website alone, http://www.arkansasjuggalofamily.com, we have close to 150 members and several more who regularly visit the site. We were all shocked and outraged by the blatent and unnecisary degradation that we received from Mr. Bell's article..
    Please allow me to give an example. In the article, Mr. Bell writes about ICP and the juggalos: "... the group, and all that it embodies are beyond mere, everyday stupidity." Is this the kind of thing that your paper supports? Uncalled for insults? Mr. Bell also references a website, http://www.juggalofaith.com , purposefully chosing the most shocking quote that he could. He quoted, from the website: "Attention North Caroline Juggalos and Lettes!! We have a homeless, pregnant Lette who needs a place to stay even if temporary. Can anyone help???" We, the Juggalos, feel that this was an attempt to stereotype our community as "pregnant homeless failures". In truth, when I see that, I see somebody in OUR community trying to help out an individual in dire need. Is that something to use against a person? We do not know that woman's situation, but the Juggalo who posted that was trying his best to help her out. Also, I can almost promise to you that that woman and her unborn baby did, in fact, find a place to stay.
    We are often misunderstood and misquoted, but Mr. Bell's attack on our personalities was completely despicable. He, without bothering to read up on the subject, is quoted as saying that Icp's music is: " ...filled with allusions to a quasi-theological bit of flimflam known as the dark carnival." This, most of all, is offensive to me. Had any actual investigation been put forth, Mr. Bell would have realized that the "Dark Carnival" is actually an allusion to God. ICP and the Juggalos use the term Dark Carnival interchangably with the word God. This can mean either the Judao-Christian God, Allah, or any Diety that you chose to pray to. Juggalos come in an assortment of Shapes, Colors, and Relegions. The message behind the juggalos is unity, peace, and tolerance.
    If you would check the online edition of your paper, you will see many comments made on Mr.Bell's article, each from a Juggalo or Juggalette that has taken offense to his "Review". We are a group of individuals, just like any Social Club or Fraternal Order, and we demand respect. Your paper, or at least Mr. Bell, has lost many readers over this situation. I hope it is one that can be rectified. We are not upset that he did not like or understand us, but we are outraged because the unprevoked attack that you allowed to be printed, for all to see. We are working hard at gaining the respect of the community at large, and this has most definately set us back quite some distance.
    In closing, we would like an appology, and the simple aknowledgement that the attack, and that is exactly what it was, was unprevoked, and un-called for. If such actions are not taken, you can be sure to lose quite a few readers. This is my email address, and I am also available for contact at http://www.arkansasjuggalofamily.com/apps/profile/profilePage?id=42598833 I will be more than happy to ask other juggalos to send a message expressing their view on the entire situation as well, if you would like. Personally, I quite often read your paper, and thought much more highly of it than this. This is a disgrace.
                                                                 Awaiting Your Reply
                                                                                    Josh Malcome
                                                                                         ( Payaso)

Comments

Your favorite band sucks out loud, Josh. Grow up and get over it.

Posted by: Amanita | November 30, 2009 09:40 AM

more importantly...do the 150 or so juggalos/lettes not have spell check or does dark carnival/allah/whomever tell them not to believe in it?

Posted by: Andrea | November 30, 2009 10:33 AM

i'm tolerant of all people but this line just cracks me up, "We are working hard at gaining the respect of the community at large, and this has most definately set us back quite some distance."

ya have? really? that seems kinda the opposite of what any subculture is after. usually the mentality is, "f*ck the rest of the world and how they view us, we have each other and that's all we need."

oh and sorry, but i'm guessing the face paint has set you back in trying to gain respect in the community. i don't care if you paint your face but the people who do care are the ones who have the power to deem juggalos/lettes as legitimate people who contribute something positive to the community.

Posted by: Don | November 30, 2009 11:27 AM

Posted by: Don | November 30, 2009 11:28 AM

They think they're a "people." How cute.

This letter and Juggalo comments are either a high form of satire or "beyond mere stupidity." I'm afraid I don't have enough hope in humanity for the former.

No worries AT, I just did a market breakdown:
# of Juggalos in AR: 200
# of Jugz who can read: 47
# of Jugz who can spell and read: 17
# who read the AT: 8
# who read the AT controlling for the "article attacking our people" variable: 0

For some reason, this all reminds me of David Cross' open letter attacking Larry the Cable Guy's comedy as stupid and easy. Who wants to bet there's a considerable overlap between Larry the Cable Guy fans and Juggalos?

Posted by: JD | November 30, 2009 01:45 PM

Fuck all you hater ass bitches....we gives no fuck about what you stale bitches think so fuck the fuck off you richie faggots....you ignorant fucks should spend your time dealing with your own damn problems instead of hatin' on us juggalos because of our freshness...
and if ya don't like it then go stab youself in the eye with a combat knife.

Posted by: Heather Nolte | December 3, 2009 06:12 PM

WHO0p WH0OP!!

Posted by: Heather Nolte | December 3, 2009 06:16 PM

Posted by: Heather Nolte | December 3, 2009 06:17 PM

Point taken, Heather dear, but your favorite band still sucks out loud. Noone can take that away from you.

Posted by: Amanita | December 4, 2009 02:18 PM

Amanita, can you make a record that hits number 4 on the "Billboard" charts without being supported by a major label, with ZERO advertising/promotion, no airplay, etc.?

ICP are successful based on their music and talent alone. They achieved what every musician dreams of, but that few could accomplish. ICP actually have the talent that haters like Amanita do not.

ICP have influenced a generation of fans to get out their and do what they love. Many Juggalos have achieved great success as rappers, horror movie directors and stars, comic book artists, etc. - because of the success of their favorite band.

ICP suceeded with honesty and integrity. They are not a manufactured group like Miley Cyrus or Jonas Brothers. They suceeded by performing an underground style with limited commercial appeal or intent.

If you still say that ICP "sucks out loud" after reading this, you are a moron.

Posted by: Isaac Baranoff | December 4, 2009 02:31 PM

In all honesty, that was a pretty decent post on why you follow ICP.

I just happen to not like ICP/not gravitate to the culture.

Posted by: JD | December 4, 2009 06:36 PM

Now you've done it-- you done gone and hurt mah feelins. You win- I am ashamed and defeated. Woe is me. I'll be stabbing myself in the eye shortly.

Posted by: Amanita | December 5, 2009 12:27 PM

the problem here is that Robert Bell is probably the father of the girls from 2girls1cup.

Yall saw that video, why would you give a fuck what this guy says ?

Posted by: MTHEALIEN | December 10, 2009 12:52 PM

You saying that most of us is stupid? Hell no! I'm fuking 20 years and goin on my second year in college, u can fuck off! The freshness ICP brings to the juggalos/juggalettes you wouldn't understand it. We are a family. If I see a fellow lo/lette in need you're damn right I'm gonna help them, even if I don't them. You're just some piece of mainstream trash that don't understand talent. So I wanna see this apology, or are u guys to scared to admit you're wrong? Arkansas Juggalo's/Juggalette's own this motherfuckin state! And if you're not down with,I've got four words for ya Fuck Off!, and Suck it!!!!!!

Posted by: Lance Pettigrew | December 25, 2009 08:25 AM

To everyone that does not understand,
Being a juggalo or juggalette is not a choice but a pre-disposed state. I have been down with the clowns since 2001 and I will be down till I'm dead in the ground.
Apparently, ass-clowns like everyone at the AR Times disagree with the idea of a group of people that enjoy music, friendship, and a sense of family.
I know for a fact that if I show my hatchetman tatoos(2, by the way), I have family behind me no matter where I go.
So, before you start condemning us, please realise that we are a group not unlike the KISS Army and show us the same respect that you would show them or people that wear any other bands shirts.
BTW, I am a 39 year old Juggalo.

Posted by: DirkAKAJesus | December 27, 2009 11:37 PM

Rock Candy

We've lost the Juggalos

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