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Cosby cancels, cites racial climate
Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | February 7, 2002 | Kevin Aldridge and Randy Tucker

Posted on 02/07/2002 3:21:50 AM PST by 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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
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To: bleudevil
Is this all about that riot you guys had back last summer? I read a piece about that and it devastated the argument that this was a legit reaction to real black grievance. In fact, it was so good, I printed it out and keep it in a little folio of online pieces that I want to keep.

That crap is still perculating? Geez...

21 posted on 02/07/2002 6:05:36 AM PST by borkrules
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To: bleudevil
Isn't it interesting that the 'leftists' think this kind of boycott is wonderful, while at the same time, they faulted those Christians who chose to boycott Disney. They are hypocrites - but what else is new?
22 posted on 02/07/2002 6:05:50 AM PST by MEGoody
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To: Clintons Are White Trash
I've just lost any respect I had for Mr. Cosby. What a shame - what a sham.

I never had any respect for Cosby. I think he is incredibly talented but I don't like the man.

I saw him on Donahue's show (tells you how long ago), I thought he was an a$$. Never liked him since.

23 posted on 02/07/2002 6:07:04 AM PST by farmfriend
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To: Clintons Are White Trash
I've just lost any respect I had for Mr. Cosby. What a shame - what a sham.

Maybe Bill Cosby needs to hear this from a lot of citizens to help him realize he is being boondoggled by the Left.

24 posted on 02/07/2002 6:08:40 AM PST by Salvation
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To: bleudevil
Riiggghhhtttt.
25 posted on 02/07/2002 6:08:53 AM PST by Harrison Bergeron
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To: OldFriend
To say nothing of his affair with a white woman while he was married.

Please elaborate.............

26 posted on 02/07/2002 6:09:36 AM PST by SkyPilot
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Comment #27 Removed by Moderator

To: PBRSTREETGANG
lecher

Oh, yes, very much so.

28 posted on 02/07/2002 6:42:45 AM PST by katykelly
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To: Dante3
Also, didn't he refuse to take a DNA test in an attempted blackmail case against him?

As I recall, he said it didn't matter if the young woman accused of blackmailing him (something about threatening to reveal she was his illegitimate daughter) was his daughter or not. Not exactly the poster boy for responsible parenting!

29 posted on 02/07/2002 6:45:41 AM PST by Grut
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To: bleudevil
After this, his campaigning for Al Bore, and other things I saw here, I am done supporting Mr. Cosby.
30 posted on 02/07/2002 6:49:16 AM PST by ilgipper
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To: njmaugbill
I don't suppose Cosby would like to be referred to as an Uncle Tom for the democratic party? I mean they (democrats) are always labeling republican blacks in that fashion.
31 posted on 02/07/2002 6:52:37 AM PST by BushWonGore'sDone
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To: borkrules
The Rev. Jones granted a interview to the Pat Barry talk show and came across as the Cincinnati version of Jessie Jackson light .
Jones was so vague and slippery when asked about the reasons for the boycott it was suspicious.

Basically, he said the purpose of the boycott was to create a dialogue with the city, but to date no one will talk with him. (Translated: I would like to be acknowledged as important and someone should give me money.)

The end result of the Cosby boycott is Pat Barry is trying to get another event at the Arnoff that night to replace Cosby using local talent.

Did I mention that hundreds of people called Jello to complain?

I didn't think it was right to go after Jello becouse of Cosby deciding not to come to Cincinnati. However, why should Cincinnatians buy a product endorsed by someone who boycotts us?

32 posted on 02/07/2002 7:08:56 AM PST by Hal.009
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To: LouD
What the hell are you talking about? Opposition to busing is racist?

No one said opposition to busing was racist. Busing has ruined every school system where it was implemented. What northern liberals say is southerners are racists. I was attempting to point out the hypocrisy of northern liberals acting holier than thou while being intolerant of blacks themselves and calling southerners racists.

33 posted on 02/07/2002 7:11:42 AM PST by putupon
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To: bleudevil
The Coz is such a racial bigot himself. In the past I have heard him make disparaging comments about white people.
34 posted on 02/07/2002 7:14:54 AM PST by skateman
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To: bleudevil
But he doesn't feel he can be funny in that atmosphere.”

Cosby can't be funny in any atmosphere. As a young standup comic, he was hilarious. But now, he comes across as a sanctimonious, preachy, arrogant @ss. A totally UN-funny human being.

35 posted on 02/07/2002 7:22:11 AM PST by Nea Wood
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To: GOPmember
It's my understanding that his degree from Temple is the bogus one. They needed him to promote the school, which he does all the time. In return. . .

I can't verify this. My husband talks about it whenever he hears one of the commercials and he usually knows what he talks about. We live in the area.

36 posted on 02/07/2002 7:42:05 AM PST by twigs
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To: GOPmember
Just wondering what Dr. Martin Luther King's Ph.D. dissertation was about. I found three reference to him, but they were all vague about the Ph.D.
37 posted on 02/07/2002 7:47:49 AM PST by Dante3
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To: GOPmember
If Bill Cosby thinks by staying away from Cincinnati he is helping his so-called brother's & sister's he is saddly mistaken. I was raised in Cincinnati and I see that the African-American population has not changed one Iota in the past 30yrs. During the 60's every Black resident in Cincinnati had every chance to "educate" themselves, bring themselves out of the endless cycle of poverty and ignorance but chose instead, "Sit-Ins", "Riots" and all around "Destruction". The Blacks in Cincinnati are where they are because this is where they chose to be, they have no one to blame but themselves. Mr. Cosby and other's out of their ignorance can keep pitying these fools but nothing on earth will ever help them become better citizen's, they have too many that are willing to make excuses for their "laziness". It was tough growing up in an all-black school in the 60's but it was not impossible to educate yourself, that is a choice and the Black population made their choice then, and it has not changed to this day, Bill Cosby is helping no one, his is still as ignorant as they are. Mom_Grandmother
38 posted on 02/07/2002 10:25:45 AM PST by Mom_Grandmother
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To: Dante3
Here's the dissertation, but I won't claim to have read it.
39 posted on 02/07/2002 2:57:45 PM PST by GOPmember
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To: putupon
Excellent point.

Reminds me of a guy I used to work with. He thought the Dems and Clinton were the best thing to ever happen to this country. He used to rib me about being from KY. Kept asking me where my white hood was, what my militia's name was, if I was married to my sister, etc.

He was the biggest RACIST I ever met. Said the "N-word" and made derogatory remarks openly at work. I once asked him why a liberal would be so "intolerant and insensitive". He said "I'm liberal, but I hate n*ggers." All liberals should be so honest.

40 posted on 02/07/2002 4:42:35 PM PST by pocat
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