It Will Take More Than Stevie

BY CLARENCE BARR, II

I read in the paper where an extensive list of entertainers, led by Stevie Wonder, were preparing to boycott any performances in the State of Florida as part of a protest over the “Stand Your Ground” law. It is an admirable gesture. But it’s one that, I doubt, will make a significant difference alone.

Considering the fact that the individuals who benefit most financially from these events are private promoters, vendors and the artists themselves, the only people negatively affected will be the actual fans. I could be wrong, but I just don’t see Governor Rick Scott or any of the other legislators who support SYG being moved to change their positions because Usher or Madonna won’t be appearing at the Ice Palace anytime soon.

There are only two things that get a politician’s undivided attention: money and votes. Anything less and you might as well be attempting to tickle a Blue whale with a water gun.

It would be a much different scenario if, let’s say, an online petition were started that was signed by millions of people across the country promising to boycott visiting Florida all together.

No vacations at Disney theme parks. No reservations to beach resorts. No national conventions. Not as much as trips across state lines by people from dry counties in South Georgia trying to purchase alcohol on Sundays. Nothing. A potential billion dollar loss in tourist revenue.

Something like that would get the phones of lawmakers ringing as some of the biggest campaign contributors in the state inform their puppets in Tallahassee how much they can’t afford to take that kind of hit to their pockets.

Couple that fallout with a grass roots movement by anti-SYG registered voters and the gun lobbyists on the other side who helped to usher in SYG from the beginning, would find their influence on a slippery footing.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an easy task to accomplish (Something similar to finding a Major League Baseball all-star who’s never used steroids). But, unless flying to Atlanta or Charlotte to see your favorite artist perform or the thought of more young Black men being blown away by trigger-happy yahoos doesn’t bother you, it’s something that most definitely should be done.

Anyone wanting to contact Clarence Barr can reach him at: Clarence Barr, II, 43110-018; P. O. Box 7007; Marianna, FL 32447-7007. Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bulletin Publishing Company.