CAB’s Homecoming 2002 talent show kicked off this week’s festivities Sunday night at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

Juan Martinez, of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Heather Strasser, of Delta Zeta and an advertising representative at the Northern Star, were crowned king and queen, respectively.

Amidst the fun and excitement, there was a sense of tension and uncertainty after a comedian made jokes about African Americans and Asians.

Lesley Clements, activity adviser for all university events and the Parents’ Association, said sophomore OMIS major David Lee was warned before the performance that his content might be offensive. But he performed the routine anyway.

Instead of laughs, the room grew quiet.

“He made some jokes about different ethnicities, which CAB said wasn’t appropriate, and we did not want to see that here tonight,” Clements said. “If we did hear that information, he would be scored low by the judges. We wanted him to clean up the act, and he didn’t. So he did not score well this evening.”

Lee regretted his comments.

“I realized that this is a college campus,” Lee said. “If I would’ve done this in any other venue, I wouldn’t have gotten that response. I should’ve done this in a venue where it was more acceptable.”

Clements said Lee was addressed before and after his routine about his comments.

“We had issues with him before that, and we were concerned,” Clements said. “This was an event where we did not want that to happen, but he went ahead and proceeded with it anyway.”

Lee described his warning.

“They said I can’t swear and I can’t say ‘slut,’” Lee said. “They said you can’t say anything that’s offensive. How do you know what’s offensive and what’s not offensive?”

In reference to his jokes, Lee said, “I didn’t mean anything about that [racism], it was meant to be funny. … I can’t justify any of my jokes by referring it to someone else.”

The Homecoming court coordinators, who refused to comment, said they did not see or hear Lee’s performance because they were backstage.

No other CAB or university officials were available for comment.

But, the show went on.

At the end of the show, Martinez and Strasser were crowned. Students cheered on their fellow peers as the judges announced who would represent NIU at Homecoming 2002.

Stephanie Cheehy, Homecoming court coordinator, said 514 students voted for a king and queen. Individual candidate vote totals were not released.

The talent show preceded the coronation. Fifteen performances showcased talent through music, dance and comedy, as well as one student who performed Tai Chi.

Drummer Vince Fiannelli won first place. He was followed by singer/guitarist Jason Moon in second place and singer Louise Steeves in third.