Scobey Clarifies Misconstrued Comments on NBA YoungBoy Concert Arrests
Rev. Derrick Scobey recently addressed concerns surrounding the increase in jail staffing ahead of an NBA YoungBoy concert in Oklahoma City. Despite worries from the county jail administration and racial bias concerns, there were no significant spikes in arrests during the event.
Background on the NBA YoungBoy Concert
The concert, featuring NBA YoungBoy, also known as Kentrell DeSean Gaulden, took place at the Paycom Center on a Saturday night. This venue is also the home of the OKC Thunder. Other artists included NoCap, DeeBaby, Mellow Rackz, Baby Mel, Lil Dump, and k3.
Concerns Raised Before the Concert
- Rev. Derrick Scobey questioned interim jail administrator Tim Kimrey’s decision to bolster jail staffing two days prior to the concert.
- Scobey highlighted the potential implications of increased staffing without directly labeling it as racial bias.
- He emphasized that his comments were misconstrued by various media outlets.
Miscommunication and Media Coverage
After initial comments by Scobey, media outlets, including The Oklahoman and Complex, misquoted him, suggesting he had used the term “overt racism.” In response, Scobey clarified that his remarks only mentioned “overt” and referenced racial bias without labeling anyone as racist.
Concert Outcomes and Arrest Data
According to Captain Valerie Littlejohn of the Oklahoma City police, there were only six to eight arrests the night of the concert. This number aligned with typical weekend arrest rates in the Downtown/Bricktown area, which frequently involves low-level offenses such as public intoxication.
Scobey’s Reaction to Arrest Rates
While expressing satisfaction with the low arrest numbers, Scobey urged that these statistics should be publicized effectively, potentially easing concerns in other cities about hosting similar concerts. He remarked, “The event went as well as we could have hoped.”
Defining Concepts Around Race
In a broader discussion, Scobey took to Facebook to differentiate between “racism” and “racial bias.” He described racism as a systematic issue involving power dynamics, while racial bias pertains to individual attitudes and beliefs.
Positive Publicity and Community Impact
Despite the controversy, Scobey viewed the media attention as beneficial, fostering important discussions within the community. He expressed gratitude for avoiding significant conflicts during the concert that could have negatively impacted attendees, law enforcement, and the community at large.
