Campy's Editorial Page
Another small-business bites the dust in Downtown Cincinnati
Updated: March 28, 2002
Boycott Cincinnati?!?
By: Matt McGowan
It has been nearly a full year since riots rocked downtown Cincinnati, destroying businesses and ruining the lives of many. Since last April, many people in our city have begun to reach out and attempt to heal the wounds we have all suffered from the violence. Members of city council, such as Pat DeWine and Alicia Reece, have been able to put aside their past differences and begin work that will benefit Cincinnatians of all races and backgrounds. Everyday I see many of the positive actions that ordinary people in this city (and from elsewhere) are doing to try and make things right. By all accounts, Cincinnati is making progress that will benefit all of it's citizens.
Some in our community, however, seem dissatisfied by the progress. Some, it seems, even want to stop any progress from being made altogether. The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati, led by the Reverend (?) James W. Jones, is calling for all conventions and big-name entertainers to boycott Cincinnati and help further their agenda. (What exactly that agenda is, we are not certain.) So far several big name performers, including Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, and Smokey Robinson, have heeded the call and backed out of scheduled concerts in downtown Cincinnati, and more cancellations (including conventions) are sure to come. According to Reverend Jones, “The boycott is serious, and we mean serious. We have some urgent concerns that need to be addressed and it is time that those in power recognize we need to be talking rather than entrenching and digging in.”
For the life of me, I cannot figure out what people like the Rev. hope to accomplish by urging a boycott of the city. Unless of course, they only seek fame and notoriety for themselves, because they are not helping anyone else. Downtown businesses were suffering from poor local entertainment options and lack of significant convention business long before last April's riots. Since the riots, life downtown has been extremely hard on everyone, especially the small businesses and their employees. Regardless of the intentions of the Coalition for a "Just" Cincinnati, this is exactly who this boycott will hit hardest as well. Waiters, cab drivers, parking lot attendants, hotel workers, as well as other lower income and gratuity dependent workers will suffer the most. These are average people, good people, simply trying to earn a living and support their families. But people like "Reverend" Jones don't seem to care about them, only about themselves. Doesn't sound too "Just" now does it? It certainly won't help promote racial healing in our city.
But fear not, for once again we here at Campanello's have a plan. Actually, it isn't our plan, but one that has been brought forth by Rev. Raymond Jones (no relation to the aforementioned Rev. James Jones) of the Cincinnati Concerned Citizens Association. The plan is simple: Boycott the Boycott! Aren't you sick and tired of a bunch of people who know nothing other than their own self-interests telling you what you should and shouldn't do, or where you should or shouldn't go? If so, then come on downtown! Here is your chance to have your say. Go out to dinner. Enjoy an evening at the Arnoff or the symphony. Visit one of the city's many art galleries or museums. Take in a game at Riverfront Stadium (before it's gone.) Spend a night or two at one of the fine hotels and enjoy all the wonderful things this city has to offer. Otherwise, (to borrow a phrase from Mayor Luken) the "Economic Terrorists" win, and the small business person (like the poor hot dog vendor from the photograph above) could disappear from downtown Cincinnati forever.
Boycotters send mixed message
By: Jon Lawhead
General Manager -Fox 19, Cincinnati OH
Also available at Fox19.com - Reprinted with permission
The Cincinnati boycotters have made some recent statements that are terribly hard to understand.
Reverend Damon Lynch III, the son of Rev. Damon Lynch Jr., and other boycotters have asked Rev. Billy Graham to cancel his Cincinnati crusade scheduled for this summer. They say the city needs justice before it can heal. Why is that? It sounds like they're in charge of setting God's priorities.
They say now is not the right time for Rev. Graham's message. How could it ever be the wrong time for a message of love and spiritual healing? It sounds to me like these folks doubt God's ability to bring about peace.
One of the Black United Front's officials is quoted as saying Billy Graham should cancel because there's been no change in the city. But isn't that exactly why he's coming -- to deliver the message that God's word has the power to heal?
Boycott leaders have been accused of being more interested in their own agenda than in helping the city recover. Their latest effort seems to support that accusation. Rev. Graham needs to come to Cincinnati. Nobody else has succeeded in healing the city. Maybe we should allow God the chance.
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