Down With The Clown Until They're Dead In The Ground

“Juggalo or Juggalette (the latter being feminine) is a name given to fans of Insane Clown Posse or any other Psychopathic Records hip hop group. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang, and characteristics.”

(Source: Wikipedia.org)

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Society has been puzzled by Juggalos since their commencement. Label them as outcasts, pin them as degenerates, or sum them up as gypsy rednecks...the Juggalos walk among us.

The Gathering of the Juggalos, which is the largest assemblage of Juggalos, occurs annually and draws gigantic crowds of the misunderstood. Every August, thousands trek to Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, with Faygo orange soda and cheese doodles in hand.

The event appears to allow this group to practice freely and with very little restriction. Therefore, among these circumstances, the Juggalos do not recognize any social injustices to revolt against. Their beliefs are unchallenged and they are merely given the right to exist and congregate peacefully. Essentially, with no opposition or control, the outsiders feel less threatened and, consequently, less defensive. Troubled individuals seem to feel attracted to the group because they are not generally accepted in regular society. The tribe accepts any type of person, and they consider one another family.

On the other hand, there are reported Juggalo gangs whom very often resort to illegal and violent acts, much like any other criminal gang.

In “American Juggalo,” a short documentary clocking in at approximately 22 minutes, the annual gathering is showcased. The Juggalos often paint their faces black and white in a clown-esque design, emulating the members of the music group Insane Clown Posse, or ICP.

Generally perceived as a group of social rejects, the lifestyle and basic practices of the Juggalo are frowned upon and unaccepted. They created a distinct chant: “woop-woop.” Chants like this, repeated in this fashion, are often used to identify a fellow member or at times of excitement among crowds and gatherings.

The majority of the followers appear to be under the influence of drugs. In “American Juggalo,” a Juggalette undergoing an interview admitted to being “fucked up on E (Ecstasy) and vodka.” Of course, they are a very lost group whom gathers for comfort. Using drugs so explicitly stems from certain reason and aggravation. A man in a rap segment of the documentary raps about stabbing a woman and eating her, among other crude acts. Obviously these are rather troubled thoughts.

Thus, coalitions against Juggalos have developed. Labeled as the “Juggalo Holocaust,” they broadcast a certain prejudiced message to the public: “kill the clowns.” Due to the Juggalo Holocaust movement, multiple violent acts have occurred against known Juggalos.

Strange and misunderstood, the Juggalos share the plagues of many minorities. Society's norms once again attack diversity.

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In closing, I conclude my studies with an excerpt of lyrics from Insane Clown Posse's “What Is A Juggalo?” so that the Juggalos may speak for themselves:

“What is a Juggalo?

Let me think for a second

Oh, he gets butt-naked

And then he walks through the streets

Winking at the freaks

With a two-liter stuck in his butt-cheeks”