Who gets the last laugh?
Republic Coffee cancels graduate student's comedy routine for being politically incorrect
By: Beth Spencer
Issue date: 12/8/09 Section: News
Brandon Chase Goldsmith said he was shocked when he found out his political theater performance, "Make America," was banned from Republic Coffee because management felt it could be "polarizing" for its customers.
"I don't blame Republic," said Goldsmith, communications graduate student at The University of Memphis. "I blame the way the nation is right now."
Bonnie Cameron, assistant to the general manager at Republic Coffee, contacted Goldsmith about the canceled show. She said the theme of the performance could interfere with the coffee shop's "chilled atmosphere."
"While he has every right to perform his show, it cannot be at this venue," she said.
The political tone of the performance, which was a project for Goldsmith's Place, Community and Communication class, could impede the ambient atmosphere of the coffee shop and was the reason for its cancellation, Cameron said.
"The tone of the monologue chastises people for not being committed Americans," she said. "We're in the business of serving excellent coffee and food and providing a relaxing environment."
Goldsmith, however, was counting on the coffee shop's laid-back atmosphere.
"I thought I had found a place where you can speak freely, and that was the most ironic part," he said. "It's kind of funny that a show whose sole purpose is creating community isn't even allowed into a community."
Goldsmith booked the performance more than a month in advance because venues in Memphis tend to get booked early, he said.
"I can't get another show until February," he said. "So when you cancel something a week out, you're basically killing that show for a while, and that's a power issue."
Goldsmith said he was uncertain how to address the situation.
"I'm trying to stay away from the word 'censorship' and just go toward being the victim of political correctness, but I don't know. It's just assumptions," he said. "They made assumptions on me, but I don't want to make assumptions on them."
"I don't blame Republic," said Goldsmith, communications graduate student at The University of Memphis. "I blame the way the nation is right now."
Bonnie Cameron, assistant to the general manager at Republic Coffee, contacted Goldsmith about the canceled show. She said the theme of the performance could interfere with the coffee shop's "chilled atmosphere."
"While he has every right to perform his show, it cannot be at this venue," she said.
The political tone of the performance, which was a project for Goldsmith's Place, Community and Communication class, could impede the ambient atmosphere of the coffee shop and was the reason for its cancellation, Cameron said.
"The tone of the monologue chastises people for not being committed Americans," she said. "We're in the business of serving excellent coffee and food and providing a relaxing environment."
Goldsmith, however, was counting on the coffee shop's laid-back atmosphere.
"I thought I had found a place where you can speak freely, and that was the most ironic part," he said. "It's kind of funny that a show whose sole purpose is creating community isn't even allowed into a community."
Goldsmith booked the performance more than a month in advance because venues in Memphis tend to get booked early, he said.
"I can't get another show until February," he said. "So when you cancel something a week out, you're basically killing that show for a while, and that's a power issue."
Goldsmith said he was uncertain how to address the situation.
"I'm trying to stay away from the word 'censorship' and just go toward being the victim of political correctness, but I don't know. It's just assumptions," he said. "They made assumptions on me, but I don't want to make assumptions on them."