Posted on 08/29/2013 6:41:10 AM PDT by 11th_VA
Forty-one days after legendary Motown singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder vowed to boycott Florida, Miami Beach’s sultry sultry summer evenings called out to him and he couldn’t resist.
Jose’ Lambeit’s Gossip Extra broke the story Tuesday that the legendary recording artist spent the weekend in South Florida’s legendary South Beach before jetting off to Los Angeles.
During a Canadian performance on July 14, Wonder told the audience he would boycott Florida, saying, “for those of you who’ve lost in the battle for justice.. we can’t bring them back. What we can do is we can let our voices be heard.”
He made the announcement in the wake of the George Zimmerman acquittal in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. The boycott was meant to be a protest against Florida’s “stand your ground” law, although that law was never at issue during the trial.
However, Wonder went on to tell the audience that he would never perform in Florida — to be fair, he didn’t say anything about just visiting.
“I decided today that until the “stand your ground” law is abolished in Florida, I will never perform there again,” Wonder said.
There’s no evidence that he performed during his Florida weekend, so technically, I suppose he off the hook.
But I keep coming back to one thing — there are 31 states that have some form of “stand your ground” law. Does Wonder plan on boycotting all 31, or was that just an excuse because he didn’t like the verdict?
Whatever the answer, I have to say that his convictions are somewhat tidal — they come in, then go out, just like the tide. Forty-one days.
How does Stevie Wonder know that he is (or isn’t) in Floriduh?
Shame on him breaking that poor little boy’s bed.
After deciding to boycott “performances” in Florida, maybe he’s come to the realization that the audiences there will boycott his future concerts and album/video sales.
“OK, boss, we’re in Florida now”
“OK, boss, we’re in LAX now”
“OK, boss, we’re in London now”
“OK, boss, we’re in Moscow now”
“OK, boss, we’re in Rome now”
“Whew, I sure do get around a lot, but don’t take us to Texas because George W. Bush lives there”
“OK, boss”
I think Mr. Wonder means well. I don’t think such a boycott would help in any regard. I wonder if there are any stand your ground law studies. The thing that makes me uncomfortable with them, is there existence seems to deny that people have an absolute right to self defense without any additional law. At least, I believe so, and I’m not sure I like any law that implies people don’t have that right.
(However, Wonder went on to tell the audience that he would never perform in Florida — to be fair, he didn’t say anything about just visiting.)
Usually boycotts work because they inflict economic pain on the target. How does Stevie Wonder NOT performing in Florida and taking back with him a lot of Florida loot hurt Florida again? Please Stevie and other out of state performers, stay out!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
