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Compton School Board Member Skyy Fisher, 28, joins the Front Page to discuss his recent controversial remarks on the Pigzradio show and the call for his resignation.
Official Statement
First and foremost, my deep regret notwithstanding, I realize that I must take the time to address the underlying issues that have brought me to this point, my abuse of alcohol. As a result, I will be taking a leave of absence from my duties as a member of the Compton Unified Board of Trustees for the next 60 days to allow time for me to address a range of personal and health related issues and to seek treatment.
I want to express my deep regret for recent statements that I made and others that have been attributed to me concerning the late Trayvon Martin, Compton Unified School District Interim Superintendent Karen Frison and a Compton Unified School District student and her family.
I want to apologize to the individuals in question, their families and their friends. I understand and am deeply sorry for the unwarranted pain and emotional distress that my ill-conceived and inappropriate remarks caused them to experience. I apologize for my use of the f-word and the b-word. I have never been. homophobic and I do not condone the disrespecting of women.
I also want to apologize to my colleagues on the Compton Unified School District Board of Trustees, District employees and especially, to the students and community that we are privileged to serve. My comments have created an unnecessary distraction for a District on the brink of transformation and I know comes as a disappointment to my supporters and everyone engaged in the important work of educating Compton’s students.
Again, I want to apologize to everyone affected by my remarks and respectfully request patience, forbearance and privacy while I undertake this journey.
About Skyy
Skyy Fisher was first elected to the Compton Unified School Board of Trustees on November 8, 2011. At the age of 28 years old, Skyy became the youngest member elected to the Compton Unified School District’s Board of Trustees and the youngest African-American elected official in Los Angeles County and Southern California.
A native of Compton, Skyy was born, reared, and educated in public schools and is the proud product of Compton’s educational system having matriculated through Lynwood High School, Compton Community College, and California State University, Dominguez Hills.
As a third generation resident of Compton, Skyy comes from a family steeped education and community service.
Following in that tradition, Skyy has represented students, educational professionals, union members and their respective families in neighborhoods stretching from Compton to Washington, D.C.
A champion for educational equality and organized labor, Skyy has earned a reputation as a passionate advocate who engages intricate issues on behalf of students, union members, and their families.
Skyy began his community service as an early teen, volunteering with the Foster and Kinship Care Education Program at Compton Community College. Skyy continues to serve as a volunteer youth mentor.
Even though he is only 28, Skyy has held many memberships and elected/appointed positions since embarking on journey in public service.
May 8, 2012 at 6:19 am
This guy is a clown..
I’ve been in Compton ALL MY LIFE. I am an employee of the Compton Unified School District and NEVER EVER have I heard of this guy. As I listen to Dominique and Fisher on the radio I’m amazed at how remorseful and pleasent he comes off as and I’m equally amazed at the support Miss DiPrima seems to be throwing his way.
Listen.. We all deserve second chances and Lord knows that our white counterparts get more than their fair share of the “benefit of the doubt” but let me be clear. We as Blacks who take up the mantle of public office should be held to an extreme high standard just by all the corruption we witness and live through by others alone. The adult thing to do would indeed be to step down Mr. Fisher because it is blatantly obvisous that you lack the maturity for such a seat.
I don’t know where you even came from but you and your buddy Micah Ali are nothing more than posers, clowns even. The CUSD is about as corrupt as any in the land and when I hear the board speak of a 120 Million deficet, it just smacks of more lies and lets me know it’s business as usual in the world of politics. Fisher is a glaring example of how things are run in public office and if he’s allowed to keep his seat it’s more of a sad state of affairs in an already sad state.
Lastly.. I cram to understand you Miss DiPrima. With all of your drumbeating about the whole Trayvon Martin story you would give this guy a pass. Sometimes we do indeed have to ploice ourselves and not allow someone to continue as if nothings wrong just because he’s Black and this is the care here. Mind you, I didn’t hear the entire broadcast but from what I did hear it seemed like you were giving your support. If I’m wrong then I apologize.
May 8, 2012 at 9:00 am
I was surprised to hear the program this mornings topic was Skyy Fisher. I applaud your efforts to allow Skyy to present his side of the story, in his own words, and also to allow him to hear the feedback from the community he represents.
May 8, 2012 at 5:01 pm
Not a fan of this show and only listened because of Skyy. I’ve known him for a long time. He’s a young up and coming leader that acted out of his mis-judgement. Not only should he quit dealing with the un-loyal clowns on pigradio (misspelled intentionally) he should never have dealt with them period.
May 8, 2012 at 7:07 pm
How ironic he’s blaming alcohol. If that’s your opinion, be a man and stand by it! Alcohol doesn’t make you lie, it gives you the courage to speak what’s already on your mind. It’s time to start taking responsibility for what e do and/or say. Maybe in his position he should’ve kept his mouth shut, but at the same time he has a right to his opinion. Rather I agree with him or not, it’s his right to have that opinion. There’s been no history of alcohol abuse yet he’s suddenly developed a dependency! Right, what BS! Stand up, be a man Skyy.
May 9, 2012 at 5:56 am
DOMINIQUE
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN YOU. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FAN OF YOUR SHOW AND THIS SKYY FISHER THING GAVE ME A REALLY REALLY BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH. AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALE AND A MOTHER, I RESENTED WHAT SKYY IS STANDING FOR…….
May 9, 2012 at 8:46 am
WOW!!
As I listen to the audio it is clear that Miss DiPrima is somthing else. Again, we must indeed hold our young Black up and coming public figures to a higher standard. We know all to well that “they” are just waiting for any speck of scandal to drag us through the mud. For all of Fisher’s eloquence, if he isn’t smart enough to know that once one enters any public service or political arena that you can’t do or hang with (old smoking buddies e.t.c.) that you’re used to then he isn’t very smart at all.
Fisher comes off as arrogant, intitled and full of himself. If Mr. Fisher truly wants to ssalvage his political career then he needs to step down, reaccess and TRY to reinvent himself. And to Miss DiPrima. How dare you challenge us and our political beliefs?!
How dare you?!!!!
May 9, 2012 at 5:41 pm
We hold whites to a high standard when it comes to calling us the N word. Apply this same logic to elected officials when they use the same word against other blacks. Its not okay for some of us in the African-American community to use the N word, simply because we are black and get a pass. If we as a people hold whites to a higher standard, then we need to expect that we hold ourselves to that same standard. Don’t use the N word, no variation of the word at all.
Every elected official knows he’s under a microscope when in office and so his whole life (or her life) is fair game. If you don’t understand the territory then don’t go into to the field, Skyy.
Further, I just don’t see why Skyy would joke about something so controversial (clearly not funny at all). A black kid lost his life and the words use by Skyy. I agree with Diprima in that we don’t eat our young but maybe Skyy just isn’t quite mature enough to be a member of the board. I still love you Dominique and your show, and while I understand that Skyy is young, the board role on which he is a member of, is a position requiring a very high degree of maturity and we shouldn’t just him a pass with an apology and an explanation.
Maybe Skyy should step as an example that he needs to constantly be mindful of what is said and watch what is said in public (as an elected public official) when the wold is listening because when you’re a public official (Compton Board member) and everything you do is transparent because your life becomes a fish bowl. So, elected officials are subject to a higher level of scrutiny. Not good for an elected official and very upsetting, and these feelings that people are feeling are very valid.
This was an egregious lack of judgment on Skyy’s’ behalf and the disparaging remarks about blacks, use of the N word and gays were clearly off base. Be a man and step down, its the right thing to do – do it for yourself and your community.
May 10, 2012 at 12:01 am
The same way Skyy got elected to Compton School Board is going to be the same way he tries to get out of this mess: with his mouth. At first glance, Skyy is the next generation of leaders from Compton. Dresses well, speaks well, says the right thing but underneath it all, you get what you heard on the Internet radio station. An immature, ignorant individual who doesn’t know the role he is supposed to play in the community. A person who is trying to move on to the next big thing. As he stated in the radio show, it seems Compton City Council was next on his radar. Busting an Isadore Hall move! What makes me sad is that the Compton community loses all the time when people like him get away with things. He should be held accountable and Compton residents shouldn’t wait for Skyy Fisher to do the right thing and resign. That woudn’t be in his character to work on his issues on his own time………not during his term. Compton residents should begin the process of a recall and find someone else who is ready for real leadership. A recall would show Skyy that Compton has dedicated voters who will not accept the best in their elected officials. A recall would allow the country to see that Compton will not stand for comments that divide. If Compton does nothing, then, unfortunately, many people will not be surprised. But I know Compton has dedicated people that have been hurt and dissapointed in what Skyy has created in our community. Compton elected officials need to know there are consequences when the community’s trust is taken for granted and not valued. At the end of the day, the school board should represent the thoughts, opinions, and values of the residents of Compton. Skyy trampeled on them and has greatly misrepresented the Compton community. Important decisions are made for students and these underlying beliefs and attitudes always come out when school board members vote. I am angry that there is still a chance that this will be forgotten and ignored. That an apology here and some rehab will make everything good again. I do understand that we must protect our own but there are many other good, future leaders in our community that have not messed up and they need our support and mentoring. It is sad that we have to latch on and excuse actions of damaged goods. What everyone heard was the real Skyy behind closed doors and it slipped out for everyone to see. I do agree he should resign and focus on himself and make himself better. The job of the school board requires someone who has the time and their full attention. Something Skyy will not have for, at least, the next year. Skyy, please resign to prevent the Compton community from dragging this on through a voter-inititated recall. Please spare us future national embarrasement and money needed to have a special election. START THE RECALL PROCESS NOW!
May 10, 2012 at 3:31 pm
[…] to do some damage control by appearing on the popular KJLH Radio Show Front Page, hosted by Dominique DiPrima, where he was able to give his side of the story as well as have the general public call in to […]
May 10, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Skyy is already damaged goods.
He really breached the public’s trust and any confident that Compton residents had in him. Just don’t see how any damage control can work at this point and save him because Skyy really went off the deep end with this one. But I get the point of him being on the show.
Can he really be redeemed (as an elected official) at this point? Good luck with that. Time will time.