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Peace

Stephane Farinaud
Funky-Stuff webmaster.

Links :
http://enquirer.com/editions/2001/05/26/loc_protesters_greet.html
http://enquirer.com/editions/2001/05/27/loc_tasters_ignore.html
http://enquirer.com/editions/2001/05/25/loc_isleys_drop_out;.html

Funky-Stuff ressource :
James Brown and Politics

Mails posted after the taste of Cincinati

I wanted to make sure you got the facts.  The leader of the Black United Front, Rev. Damon Lynch had a meeting with James about an hour before he went on stage.  He said he begged James not to take the stage at all but James said he was here for the children and was not planning on performing.

He was deceived (James Brown) and was upset when he heard the truth. He was paid $15,000 for his expenses and stay on that stage only five minutes.  He was heckled by the protesters and I learned yesterday that some people threw pennies at him.  I did not know that because I was not close to the stage.

He was treated very badly by our group of protesters because we feel that our cause should be supported by all level of society.  We are all ONE people, no matter what color and if we do not stand up together for the poor and disenfranchised, what is there to stand up for.  I am personally not mad at James because I think he did it his way and he really did not perform as they wanted, but many African Americans in Cincinnati are calling him a sell-out.   Maybe James can come back and join another one of our protest.  We will be protesting all summer until systemic racism is shaken from it foundation.

Thanks so much for your support in this matter and I hope to talk to you soon. I'll keep you updated on our struggle.  

Thanks,

Robin L.

James brown is not a sell out :

True, James Brown did come to the Memorial Day Celebration in Cincinnati,
Ohio, however he did not come there to perform, nor did he.
He only sung a line or two of his new song "Hate is out, school is in," which
is the only message he gave that day. He in no way condoned what happened to Mr. Thomas or upheld any of the injustice which is occurring in Cincinnati, his message was one of stop the violence on both ends, much the same message he broadcast on television after the assination of Dr. King.
Secondly, he was not paid to perform, the $15,000.00 was for the expense he occurred in coming to Cincinnati.
It seems to me the pesos who organized the boycott Rev. Damon Lynch was not to upset with Mr. Brown's appearance that day as he did meet with him (you can see the picture of him shaking hands with Mr. Brown, in the Cincinnati Post, the following day)  I say you can't have it both ways.  If the appearance of Mr. Brown upset the people so much why was the organizer patronizing Mr. Brown?
James has done a lot of good things for Cincinnati down through the years, and considers it a second home.  When King Records was up and running in Evanston, at 1540 Brewster Ave. the people of Cincinnati couldn't get enough of him and were proud to say he recorded there, what's changed?  He's still James Brown, He's still black, and he's still proud.
I say find another scapegoat, and leave James Brown out of it, the problem started long before he came to town that day.
Keeping the hate going will only serve to have even more people hurt both black and white (there is no mention of the innocent truck driver, who was white by the way, being beaten half to death after the incident) The only way to stop the injustice is to stop the hate.
Respectfully,

C.L.

Mails posted before the taste of Cincinati

From the people:

Boycott Cincinatti!

Subject: BLACKONOMICS: James Brown, Stay away from Cincinnati!


All, The Cincinnati Black United Front and other groups have called for a boycott of the Taste of Cincinnati because of the rampant injustice that exists in this town. In light of that, I am asking all of you to do your e-mail thing.

Get the word out to James Brown any way you can and ask him not to come to Cincinnati to participate in the Taste of Cincinnati. Midnight Star was scheduled initially, but when they saw what was happening here, they cancelled. Likewise for the Isley brothers. Now the white folks, who always try to play us for a bunch of chumps, have signed the Godfather of Soul, who used to tell us to be Black and Proud and to Get together and get some land. Please send this to all of your lists and contacts asking them to spread the word until it gets to James Brown. He is simply being used by white folks to quell the masses and to put a Black face on things here in the city where Timothy Thomas was killed. No Taste of Cincinnati because the taste of our city is quite sour right now.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON UNTIL IT REACHES JAMES BROWN. ASK HIM NOT TO COME HERE.

JIM C.


HERE'S THE LATEST:

After being rebuffed by Midnight Star and the Isley Brothers, the Mayor of Cincinnati smugly announced he had found yet another Black entertainer to come to our city to sing and dance us back to racial harmony and peace. None other than James Brown has agreed to perform at the controversial Taste of Cincinnati during Memorial Day weekend.

The Mayor had the nerve to tell us that James Brown's message is one of nonviolence and peace and he is coming to help in the healing process. James is quoted as saying he wants to help bring racial healing and peace to our city as well. Oh yeah, the $15,000 doesn't hurt either. But who knows, he may donate it to Timothy Thomas's mother. (hint, hint)

Mr. Mayor, James Brown's nonviolent message has absolutely nothing to do with a peaceful, nonviolent process against the Taste of Cincinnati. In addition, the overriding message coming from many of Brown's songs was centered on economic empowerment for Black people, which is the real issue we are dealing with and not racial healing.

Besides asking us to say we are black and proud of it, James Brown told Black people to, "Get together and get some land. Raise our food like the man. Save our money like the mob. Put up a factory and own the job." That's what this issue is all about, and everyone knows it, especially the Mayor.

James Brown cannot say anything that hasn't already been said by Black men and women here in Cincinnati. He can do nothing to "heal" us by singing and dancing. His being brought here by the Mayor is simply another indication of the disrespect and disregard the Mayor has for Black people, not to mention his patronizing actions toward us.

My message to the Godfather of Soul is this: James, don't let your nickname become the Godfather of "Sold" - as in "sold out" your people for $15,000. Stay away from the taste of Cincinnati.

I'm going to see JB tomorrow nite. I will try to speak
to the brother. He knows Cincinnati well. He used to
record on Brewster Ave at King Studios. He will do the
right thing.

DR G

I am an African American female mother from Cincinnati.  We understand you
are coming to open the Taste of nati festival.  Currently in Cincinnati we
are involved in a serious protest movement against severe racial injustice
which has festered in Cincinnati for way too long.  We are asking the you
support the cause of your people and poor people in general and support our
boycott, which was called by a group and Minister and the Black United Front
and many other grassroots organizations who are fed up and not going to take
it anymore.  PLEASE SUUPORT OUR CAUSE AND BOYCOTT OF THE TASTE FESTIVAL AND
CANCEL YOUR APPEARANCE ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE.  If you just have to come to
cincinnati, please perform for an African American event.  

Thank you in advance for you understanding in this matter.  

Robin L.
Concerned and Frustrated Citizen

If you have any influence on James Brown, please ask him not to appear in
Cincinnati during the "Taste of Cincinnati."

Freddie S.

Mr,. Brown  I have several fond memories of seeing you perform at
various concerts, and shows allo over Ohio as I grew up.  I must say
this latest decision to appear for taste of Cincinnati may be what you
feel is right but for those of us who live here it is one we can't
support. My icon, the Godfather of Soul on Saturday will become the
Godfather of Sellout.

Tim L.

Dear James Brown, Godfather of Soul - We beg of you.  Please support our
boycott of the Cincinnati Taste festival.  Cincinnati is not a city that
should be celebrating anything.  We have serious problems here, the movement
is strong, and we are not going to take any more police abuse or social
injustice.  Our tax dollars and sitting down there in that stupid stadium
and our neighborhoods are in dispare.  The Rev. Damon Lynch and 36 other
ministers have called for a boycott and the grassroots movement of this city
is requesting that you cancel your appearance.  Sy Murray is working for the
Mayor but the Mayor is not working for the people.  Come next week when we
are have a huge March For Justice, June 2nd at noon on Fountain Square.
That where our cause needs national support.  Cincinnati has some serious
repair work before it can just heal.  When you are sick you must find a cure
before you can mend.  PLEASE SUPPORT OUR CAUSE AND CANCEL YOUR APPEARANCE IN
CINCINNATI.

Thank you in advance for your support of the cause of the poor and
disenfranchised!!!!!!!!!  We need your support

Grassroots movement member and supporter of the Black United Front

Robin L.

I see where the mayor of Cincinnati, Charlie Luken, has once again
disrespected the African-American . Out of respect for the ongoing boycott of
the Taste of Cincinnati by the black community, Midnight Star and the Isley
Brothers have cancelled their scheduled appearances. So mayor Luken has tried
to upstage the boycott by hiring James Brown to replace them. An article in
the Cincinnati Post says that Mr. Brown is fully aware of the situation and
intends to perform anyway. I can only hope that Mr. Brown reconsiders his
decision, which would only serve to undermind the efforts of the black
community in Cincinnati. By supporting the boycott and not performing, Mr.
Brown would send a strong message to mayor Luken and Cincinnati power
structure that it will not be business as usual. That the black community
intends to see that the changes long overdue finally come about. I am sure
once Mr. Brown becomes aware of the situation he will do the right thing. I
am positive he will Say It Loud, 'I'm Black , I'm Proud, and I'm NOT Coming'.
                                                                               
Edgar T.

No Justice no peace

Dear Mr. Brown:

I wonder are you aware of the injustice here in Cincinnati. Are you aware of the recent murder of young Timothy Thomas. And the charge given to his murderer officer Roach. The Civil Rights struggle is alive and in full swing here in Cincinnati. Many blacks are being denied jobs, loans, etc., especially after the recent riots. Now is not time to get the cash. We need a United front to fight against this racism here. As long as there are blacks like yourself willing to cash we will continue to have these problems. Any one who is truly for equal rights and justice will support this boycott and do your part in the civil rights struggle of the New Millineum. 
Yours In Equality,
Judith X.

 James Brown - Maceo Parker - Fred Wesley - Bootsy Collins - Funky Drummers
St Clair Pinckney -  Jimmy Nolen - Divas - Sweet Charles - Pee Wee Ellis