The Rev. James W. Jones, chairman of the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati, has been saying since July that his group's call for an international boycott of Cincinnati was “a serious matter.”

        In recent weeks, actor-comedian Bill Cosby and Motown singer Smokey Robinson honored the boycott.

Jones

        Enquirer reporter Kevin Aldridge interviewed the Rev. Mr. Jones on Friday. The Rev. Mr. Jones is pastor at Greater New Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Carthage and led a similar call for a boycott of Cincinnati in 1979.

        QUESTION: What is the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati and who's involved?

        ANSWER: The coalition was formed in June 2001. About 10-14 groups make up the coalition, including the Coalition for Justice and Equality, the Baptist Ministers Conference and a number of organizations that made up the March 4 Justice. There are a great number of white organizations involved with the effort as well. In terms of numbers, there are easily about 200 people uniting around our cause.

        Q: Why does the coalition feel a call for economic sanctions was necessary to bring about change?

        A: We felt that there were a number of problems in Cincinnati relating to systemic racism and injustice. We felt those in power were not responding quickly enough to these issues. There seemed to be no real interest after April in change. People seemed to be satisfied with things the way they are. The boycott is an expression of the pain and frustration in the African-American community. Frustration with not being listened to, with seeing our communities continue to deteriorate, with seeing millions of dollars go to downtown businesses and very little back to neighborhoods.

        Q: How closely are you working with the Cincinnati Black United Front? And is their boycott of conventions any different from your boycott of performers? What about each group's demands?

        A: We have a similar effort and similar demands. The BUF took the position of sanctions against tourism and conventions and we chose to focus on performers. We are together all the way. We don't have two separate agendas. We may differ on some points of interest but we have the same goal.

        It's like having the Army, Navy and Air Force all fighting together in a war.

        Q: What about those who don't agree with your approach?

        A: Everybody has their own mindset. There are a lot of people who are satisfied with things as they are. A lot of people don't believe in rocking the boat.

        Some people have a comfort zone and they don't want anyone to disturb that comfort zone. When you look at the civil rights movement and those who followed Martin Luther King, only about one-fourth of people actively supported the movement and maybe even less took part.

        Q: Should people read anything into the fact that the boycott hasn't received the backing of traditional black organizations like the NAACP and Urban League?

        A: Again, everybody has their role to play. Groups like the NAACP and other traditional groups have their own interests to look out for and reasons for joining in or staying away. Naturally, we would like the support of all organizations because the more unified we become the better our chances are of changing Cincinnati. But if they don't support us, we will continue anyway.

        Q: Stonewall Cincinnati, a human rights group which represents about 400 gay and lesbian residents, announced this week it was joining forces with the coalition. How significant was that for the boycott cause?

        A: Very significant, because Stonewall bills itself as a human rights group and that's what we are about — human rights. It is significant in the fact that Stonewall is the first organization that called for sanctions against conventions and was successful in its effort. They have cost the city some $65 million in convention business over a seven-year period. We can use that kind of support.

        Q: Do you think the boycott is further dividing Cincinnati along racial lines?

        A: I have to be honest and say, yes. But that is unfortunate because it shows there is a lack of sensitivity to the disparities that exist in Cincinnati and a lack of a realistic acknowledgement of the problem.

        I think there has been a hardening of the heart by various entities and individuals, and that is also unfortunate. Naturally, when you are affected by these disparities and poverty, you will do what you have to do to get the heel off your neck. But when you are not suffering, it is easy to blame others for shaking your comfort.

        Q: Do you think city leaders underestimated the boycott effort?

        A: I don't think they so much underestimated it. I think they and the media attempted to downplay and discredit the boycott more than anything else. They were using the April turmoil as the sole reason for the loss of downtown business and tourism to play down any idea of the boycott being effective. They tried to discredit boycott leaders and the media attempted to black us out. They were in denial about the boycott. Now maybe people are paying attention.

        Q: What are your thoughts about Councilman Paul Booth's proposal to have talks between city officials and boycott leaders mediated? And can something like this work?

        A: Anything that will break the stalemate and get the two sides talking is worthwhile. It's good if it enables us to get on with our lives and enables the city to get on with its business — but not business as usual. The only way to do that is to come to the negotiating table. There has to be some drastic changes in this city in order for things to get well. But until then the old saying remains: no justice, no peace.

        Q: What would it take to end your boycott immediately?

        A: There would need to be a coming together for a dialogue to discuss plans on how to bring about economic parity and address other issues of concern. The city would need to honor the $208 million it promised to the empowerment zone as well as the 10,000 jobs. They must get together with banking institutions and address discriminatory practices in lending and also share in riverfront development with black developers rather than dealing with the same old prioritized developers.

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