Cosby cancels, cites racial climate

Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | February 7, 2002 | Kevin Aldridge and Randy Tucker

[bleudevil]

Cosby cancels, cites racial climate

Comedian responds to boycott request

By Kevin Aldridge and Randy Tucker

The Cincinnati Enquirer

The state of race relations in Cincinnati is no laughing matter for Bill Cosby, who Wednesday canceled two planned concerts saying he feels “uncomfortable” performing in the city's racially charged environment.

The world-famous actor and comedian pulled out of the March 15 evening shows at the Aronoff Center for the Arts downtown after receiving a letter from the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati asking entertainers to boycott the city.

Mayor Charlie Luken said Wednesday he and other city officials tried to contact Mr. Cosby last week to encourage him to come, but were unsuccessful.

Mr. Cosby's agent, Mr. Luken said, told them that comedy relies on timing and the atmosphere in Cincinnati wouldn't be right.

Mr. Cosby's decision comes as Cincinnati Community Action Now unveiled its regionwide ad campaign, conveying to Tristate residents that they can individually help overcome race differences.

Despite such efforts, “I still stand by the fact that I feel very uncomfortable playing the concerts at this time in this climate,” Mr. Cosby said in a statement.

Mr. Cosby's two shows had sold a total 3,000 tickets — with no advertising — and were on the way to selling out, said Steve Loftin, president of the Cincinnati Arts Association, which books the acts at the Aronoff.

There were an estimated 5,400 seats to be sold at $20 to $45 apiece, Mr. Loftin said. Mr. Cosby's performances were to have been top revenue generators for the nonprofit organization.

“We were very excited about Mr. Cosby coming and were looking forward to it with great anticipation,” he said. “We're disappointed and saddened for our patrons.”

Mr. Luken said Mr. Cosby had been unduly influenced by boycott organizers, who presented an incomplete picture of Cincinnati's race problems and the various attempts to resolve them.

“I just think Mr. Cosby listened to the wrong people,” the mayor said.

Mr. Cosby's publicist, David Brokaw, disagreed.

“I think it's evident that Bill Cosby is an independent-minded person who makes up his own mind on matters,” Mr. Brokaw said.

“Bill Cosby loves to perform, and he enjoys giving concerts all over the country. But he doesn't feel he can be funny in that atmosphere.”

Mr. Luken said he worries Mr. Cosby's decision could have long-term consequences by discouraging other black performers from coming to the Tristate.

“This is something that may happen again,” Mr. Luken said. “You have to worry because some people might say, "If he did it, then we've got to do it.'”

Mr. Luken pledged to fight for every convention or performer considering coming to town.

Grammy-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis is scheduled to appear at the Aronoff the night after Mr. Cosby had been scheduled, said Mr. Loftin, but the artist's agents gave no indication he was considering canceling. Mr. Marsalis' spokesmen did not return calls for comment Wednesday.

The Rev. James. W. Jones, chairman of the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati, said Mr. Cosby's decision “speaks volumes that our cause is right and that we have a just cause,” but it's not a guarantee others will follow.

“We're realists; we realize that certain artists have contractual obligations that they can't break,” he said. “Our hope is that those artists would make some kind of statement expressing that they recognize the legitimacy of the cause, whether they appear or not.”

Last month the African-American a cappella group, Sweet Honey In the Rock, performed at the Aronoff. Group member Bernice Johnson Reagon said during the concert that the group felt torn because they believe in the power of boycotts and have participated in them in the past.

It is still unclear whether the Progressive National Baptists, which is scheduled to bring an 8,000-delegate convention to Cincinnati in August, plans to cancel after being contacted by the Cincinnati Black United Front.

Convention organizers have said they'll discuss their plans this week.

Mr. Cosby's TV and movie career extends from the 1960s through the 1980s.His concert performances are still typically sellouts, his books top sellers. Over the years, he has made frequent appearances in the Tristate.

Mr. Luken acknowledged that his cancellation was a victory for boycott organizers but said it ultimately is counterproductive to improving race relations.

[bleudevil]

I realize that this is a local story, but if it could happen in Cincy, it could happen in other cities.

I heard the mayor say on the radio this morning that this cancellation means less money in the pocket of a waiter at a nearby restaurant, less work for parking attendants, etc. Some of these boycott-pushers complain about lack of jobs for the inner city, then tell moneymakers to stay away. Can't have it both ways.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

I've just lost any respect I had for Mr. Cosby. What a shame - what a sham.

[njmaugbill]

I've been sour on Mr. Cosby, since he gave Tawana Brawley - The focus of Rev. Sharpton's scam- a watch during the hub-bub going on.

He is an unrepentant racist.

bill

[HighWheeler]

The mayor of Cincinnati is also a RAT. Why do all real problems have a RAT in the center?

[sauropod]

Cosby is a racist and so is his wife.

[mystery-ak]

I agree....I used to really like Cosby until that incident....he's on my ever growing list of performers I won't watch.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Used to think Cosby was a humorous comedian with some interesting observations on parenthood. However, ultimately he exposed himself to be a race-baiting lecher.

[Dante3]

Also, didn't he refuse to take a DNA test in an attempted blackmail case against him?

A number of years ago -- I believe it was in a book --someone on his Ph.D. committee said him getting a Ph.D. was a joke, his thesis nonsense.

[OldFriend]

Cincinnati is well rid of the likes of Bill Cosby. He is a blatant racist and hates America too!

[GOPmember]

Just did a little legwork. That thesis sounds like a real piece of work:

Bill Cosby

Was born William H. Cosby Jr on July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He married Camille Hanks on January 25, 1964. Mr and Mrs Cosby have four daughters. Their only son, Ennis William Cosby, was murdered on January 16, 1997. All of his children have names that begin with the letter "E" (Erika, Erinn, Ennis, Ensa & Evin) According to Cosby, the "E" stands for "Excellence."

Bill Cosby earned a Bachelor in Arts Degree from Temple University and a Master Degree in Education (M. Ed.) in 1972 and his Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in 1977 from the University of Massachusetts. His doctoral thesis was titled "The Integration of Visual Media Via Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Into the Elementary Schools Culminating as a Teacher Aid to Achieve Increased Learning."

[CathyRyan]

Tawana was the kicker for me. I soured on him when they named the grandkids on his show Nelson and Winnie that was IMO not real smart.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

His doctoral thesis was titled "The Integration of Visual Media Via Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids Into the Elementary Schools Culminating as a Teacher Aid to Achieve Increased Learning."

Hey, hey, hey...that's a phat thesis!

[Dante3]

How appropriate considering the scandal of the Nelson & Winnie divorce, and the charges of murder against Winnie, if the reports I've read in the media are true.

[wita]

bump

[putupon]

Why are southerners considered redneck racist crackers when the worst racial incidents occur in the north? In the '70's the liberals in Boston rioted over forced busing while the southerners just sucked it up. Black people have been murdered in NYC for driving into the wrong neighborhoods, yet its always the southerners who are assumed to be Klan members.

[JessicaDragonet]

He claimed to be highly offended by "Amos and Andy"...so he somehow had all copies of the show thrown into the dust bin of history. Geeze...what a pretentious a$$.

[AmishDude]

If I'm not mistaken, Cosby has an Ed. D. -- doctor of education. I consider it a personal insult that such individuals are called "doctor".

[catonsville]

Lets remember now that Bill Cosby gave $150,000 to Al Sharpton and his corrupt gang of lawyer shysters during the Tawana Brawley fiasco --and never apologized to all the innocent people he, through his donation, helped smear.

[OldFriend]

To say nothing of his affair with a white woman while he was married. Ugh, the man is a disgrace to all men.

[John O]

Some of these boycott-pushers complain about lack of jobs for the inner city, then tell moneymakers to stay away. Can't have it both ways

Such is always the way of the race-baiter, weedhopper. First they shoot themselves in the foot and then they blame whitey.

God Save America (Please)